Trial and Triumph | Travel Supper 2015

This past weekend was a big one but we ended it feeling so blessed, and hoping that we were a blessing to others. We had the opportunity of doing two traveling suppers this weekend - one on Friday night for the guests who bought it on the FVH auction, and on Sunday night for our grandparents! We had spent lots of previous time practicing and it's hard to believe it's all over!

 

we were able to use the FVH bus to transport the guest from country to country- even across oceans! :) we dubbed it the Time Machine!

Before I get too far though, I must say that there was a little twinge of sadness in doing this supper. Last time we did a traveling supper (the Christmas story! if you missed it, click here :)) it was with the Stollers and Knapps. Since then, things have changed a bit as we asked the Lemans to do it with us when the Knapps moved away. It's really great to have their family involved, but we aren't replacing you, Knapps - we will always and forever treasure the hilarious and inspiring memories we have of past suppers. Oh how I wish we could repeat those suppers - just once! But since we can't, and because life moves on, we continue to make more incredible memories with new friends... and reminisce with the old ones as we watch the videos :).

 

So, journey with me as we encounter the martyr of Justus Alban, get to witness the nailing of Luther's 95 theses, and travel with the Wyeneth's to America!

 

The guests were first transported to Rome and arrived around 300 AD. This was the time of Roman Soldiers and Christian martyrs. In order to be conspicuous and not arouse suspicion, we split our Christian group into four smaller groups to enter the home of Justus where they were having dinner. The third group actually got stopped and were interrogated by the three soldiers standing guard outside the house, but thankfully they were just given a warning and allowed to enjoy their dinner. The soldiers were Derek, Marcus, and Paul - their costumes were the best!! 

 

When the guests safely arrived at the home of Justus, there were servants ready to wash the women's feet which were dusty after traveling. Lily, Audrey and Ellie were the servants who washed feet and also served the soup and salad.  

 

Justus (Milan) greeted his guests and the evening began with a prayer. They guests were served oxtail soup (yes, real oxtail!) but for those of a weaker conscience, there was also a fish stew. During the meal, the guests listened to the hymns Gloria Patri (in Latin) and Shepherd of Tender Youth sang by all of the men and boys.

both of the groups grilled Milan with questions - all kinds! How did you become  a Christian? Since you were thrown from your political status,  what are you doing now for a living? How often do you hold secret gatherings? He did a great job answering the questions right on the spot!!

this is the oxtail dish :)

After the soup and salad, they were enjoying a pleasant conversation when suddenly the three roman soldiers burst into the room from all three corners. The whole group was arrested and herded out to the coliseum where their fate awaited them.

This was definitely the climax of both evenings! Both times the guest were totally and completely taken unaware and shocked... a couple of them literally jumped out of their chairs! The soldiers did a great job surprising them :).

 

Before we even reached the collegium, we could here the lions growling - Jared, Kyle, Kenan :). Justus was given one more chance to recant his Christian ways, but once again he would not recant. The conclusion was, 'To the Lions' and the trembling group of Christians was thankful to escape to the Time Machine during the martyr.

The next stop was Germany in the year 1517. At this stop there was a lot of music and narration (Maria, Kate, and I were the narrators), with some acting as well. There was first a grand parade that entered and a respected priest who gave a sermon on the selling of indulgences to release your loved one from purgatory (Jared was the priest with Kyle as his servant - decked out in graduation gowns and bathrobes :)). The townspeople were thoroughly moved and scrambled to be the first to drop their coins in the box.

Jared gave a great sermon - His middle name may be Marvin for a reason ;)

However, Luther (Derek) was terribly convicted that this was not right and he searched the scriptures for the answer. He finally found the answer to his guilt and began a list of 95 arguments which he nailed to the door of the Wittenberg church. 

The main mail was served at this stop - Cornish Hens and roasted veggies! Drum roll for Kara who did a great job cooking and preparing them! :)

Throughout the meal we played and sang some different songs from the time period.

We Gather Together and Our God Our Help



Fairest Lord Jesus

After eating, we encountered the time of the Anabaptists stood up against infant baptism. This involved more narration and then each guests became a real Anabaptist and read to us of their fate.

 

Before leaving the second place, Samuel Froehlich (Marcus) received a letter from a group of Anabaptists in the states who needed advice in settling a disagreement about baptism. Samuel decided that he would send Benedict Wyeneth (Dad and Mom as his wife Elizabeth). So the Time Machine nicely converted into a sailing vessel and transported the guests to America! We're thankful everyone remained in good health throughout the journey :). We actually served oranges on the way to the third stop to prevent "scurvy" - thanks to our great neighbor who bailed us out when we left the oranges sitting in the fridge the first night:).

 

As the guests arrived at the third stop, they entered in on a Mennonite church service.  The congregation was slowing singing The Holy Land in German (yes we really sang in German.... and we must have been pronouncing at least halfway correct because one of the guests knew German and was singing along! :).

 

The guests were served dessert and then we acted out some scenes from the Blunier family (Elizabeth Wyeneth was a Blunier - her family). Then there came a knock on the door and Joseph Bella (Paul) was there to tell us about his travels.

To end the evening all of the parents sang a song and us kids did some scripture memorization before we all sang together - Faith of our Fathers! For the most part, everything went really smoothly (aside from a few bloopers here and there :)). We hope that we inspired the guests to carry on their legacy to future generations!!

 

After all the practicing and dress rehearsals and preparing costumes and so on, it's hard to believe that it's all over with! Now that the traveling suppers are done for a while, it's time to start gardening :). We're so thankful for the opportunity of doing these traveling suppers and the great families we have to do them with (miss you, Knapp's!). Stay tuned for some behind the scenes shots, video footage, and pictures of the cast coming soon!! :) -Faith