Guest blogger Clay (aka Craig) here. Long time no post, but I have a great story to share. We recently had a scavenger hunt team building event at my new job. We had around 120 different items to capture on cell phone cameras. I thought this was a lot for 2 hours, but as my partner and I were running up and down the street and already had 20 items or so, we checked our time and were only 16 minutes in the contest. So we slowed down a bit and enjoyed the journey.
One of the more obscure items we were to find was a bacon tie. Ultimately, no team found this tie, which was in a novelty shop in the window down the street, but what we found was even better.
As my partner and I were reading our 5 page list on the windy street, we happened upon a very enthusiastic fan who asked us what we were doing. We mentioned a scavenger hunt and his eyes lit up and he offered to help. The first item we asked him to help us find was a Christmas tree, (the hunt was in January). He quickly said, “Follow me,” and lead us toward a dumpster around the corner. As we looked at each other uncertainly, we did as instructed and he reached into the dumpster and pulled out his Christmas tree he had thrown in there just that day!! Picture taken, we were ready to move on when he said, “Anything else?”
So we asked if he knew a store that sold ties with a bacon image. He did not, he admitted. But again said, “Follow me, I have a better idea.” We did as we were told, after all he hadn’t led us astray with the Christmas tree. But this time, he turned on his heel, marched us into the restaurant right behind where we stood, through the dining room, directly into the KITCHEN! We reluctantly followed, again looking at each other silently asking, “What are we doing here?”
Our new found friend approached Chef Claus in the kitchen and told him he needed a bacon tie. This unusual request amazingly did not phase Chef Claus one bit. He immediately went to the walk in refrigerator, pulled out a box of bacon, and proceeded to construct a beautiful tie out of bacon. He crafted a knot, sliced the edges, and wrapped it on a board with plastic for safe keeping, and sent us on our way!
Here is the tie that WON us the scavenger hunt – solely based on bonus points for creativity! 
Our scavenger hunt “fan” was the owner of the restaurant if you hadn’t guessed. If you ever make it to Albuquerque, NM look him up at La Provence Nob Hill .
Our exuberant fan is how I like to picture Paul, the author of much of the New Testament and the original traveling road warrior. He spread the Good News Gospel message by meeting strangers where they lived and making an impact. The only way Paul could have had as much success as he did was to embrace and help out perfect strangers just as our fan did. Without question or concern for his standing he jumped in with both feet and got his hands dirty. Our fan went way above and beyond for someone he did not know. As you read Paul’s letters I am convinced he also went above and beyond for those he did not know.
Sometime next week try to do the same. Go above and beyond to help someone you just met. Be a fan!