One Question Unasked

The roofers are here today.  They’re putting a new roof on our home here on campus.  Evidently sometime last spring, a hail storm came through and ruined many roofs in this part of Wichita.  We’ve seen roofers busy in several parts of our neighborhood.
This week, they were on the campus.  We have several buildings (9) and they all needed a new roof.  I don’t know the name of the company, but like so many roofing companies these days, they’ve employed a crew of Hispanics to work the roofs.
There are upwards of 20 men on the roof most of the time.  They don’t take long to strip off the old shingles, remove any leftover nails, lay down the felt paper and put on the new shingles.  They can complete a large home in a day and not even work much past 5 o’clock.
Several of them banter and make jokes during the day.  Several of them hum or sing some song.  They all know what their job is, and work well together even though the scene looks chaotic at times.
I have to wonder about these men.  I’m sure they are itinerant, moving from city to city as hail storms come and go.  Where are they living while they are in Wichita?  How do they receive good medical care, being always on the move?  What about dental care?  Where are their families?  How long have they been doing this?  Do they intend to do this until their health no longer permits?  How much are they paid?  Where do they do their laundry?  Where do they use the bathroom during their work time?  What do they do in their off time?
If you’ll look, you’ll see, though, that one question is not in the list.  It’s perhaps the most important question of all.  Do you know what it is?  I’ll give you a hint.  The word “Jesus” is in the question.
Now you know.  Why wasn’t that the first question in my head?  Why do I ask where they go to the bathroom rather than whether or not they know Jesus?  I don’t know.  I’m not sure I want to know.