Tabernacle Set Up Day

Robbie on his tractor--he had spent hours preparing the site before set up day

Daron, the truck driver and set up expert from The Tabernacle Experience, plus Sherry who came from a town 65 miles away to help us

Our authentic "wilderness" site  :)

It was 97 degrees with NO wind on the day of set up. It was brutal! But everyone worked so hard.

The Altar of Burnt Offering was a big job!

Yes, it looks like a scene from a certain movie. :)

We were so very thankful to have so many "able-bodied" volunteers for this part of the job!

This is the "easy" side. 

Ken worked so hard putting the Altar together.

Now for the "hard" side . . .

Heave, Ho!!

We were very thankful that the structure was so sturdy because the winds gave it all a mighty test for 8 out of the 10 days we were open.

A few of our volunteers that would stand still long enough for me to snap a picture.

Our fearless youth pastor

Ben, grubbing mesquite

Those stakes had to be driven into the ground all the way around the outside and the inside of the Courtyard, as well as all the tents. It was backbreaking labor, but everyone just kept at it until they were all firmly in the ground. And they stood the test as the winds began the next day.

The Welcome Tent and Marketplace

Ben and Elizabeth carrying the Table for the Bread of the Presence

Our fearless youth pastor during our lunch break

What troopers!

Everything takes shape as we near completion

The Golden Boards and Silver Bases

Filling the Bronze Laver

Robbie, still on his tractor, sets poles to mark the entrance for handicapped parking

Set up took from before 9 am until 4 pm. Beginning at 5:30, we had our Volunteer Training sessions and a preview night for all area pastors so they could come early.


It was quite a day! We all went home that night exhausted, but excited. The Tabernacle Experience was set to open at 9 am the following morning and my sweet husband's extra job started: night watchman over the Tabernacle. He had pulled our travel trailer over to the site and spent all but one night there for the next twelve days.