Good Bye

Friday, the day our girls have been waiting for all week. We are finally going to Jonnie Joe's house to do some work for her. Today we did some minor repairs on her ceiling, painted the ceiling, twice, and a couple of the girls raked leaves and painted some outdoor furniture. Jonnie had made us chili for lunch so we just had to have some. It was very good and the sun was shining and it felt great and we were able to enjoy our lunch on the back patio.

That afternoon Mike showed up and found out that on Jonnie's stove only two of the four elements were working, so he decided that we would surprise her with a new stove. So together, Mike, myself and Kate headed over to Home Depot to choose a stove. When we returned and told her that we bought her a new stove, she cried with tears of joy. She could not believe that we would do this for her, but as we discovered she is always doing so much for others (Mike told us, as Jonnie would never brag about her good deeds). We also found out that her oven did not work. Now how can a dear sweet loving grandma not have a working oven to bake cookies for her grand kids! We all felt so blessed by having met Jonnie and getting to know her. She touched out hearts.

Tonight we first said goodbye to one group from Pennsylvania and then to the Old Order Mennonite girls who were also from Pennsylvania. We will miss them! They were a lot of fun and very good workers.

Slept in, at least of a couple of hours, because that is what Saturday's are for. After breakfast eight of us went to visit the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham. There was a lot of information to take in, and it was very well done. While I was standing and watching some news footage showing a white man talking about the Negros, I became angry inside at the white man and voiced my feeling out loud. A black man was standing next to me and said that we cannot hate those people but we need to forgive them. I knew that, and know that, but found it amazing to believe that this black man would feel that way. But he's right and that is how many of the black people felt in those days, that they needed to forgive and love the people that hated them for the colour of their skin. Things have changed over the years down in the South and I am so thankful for that. God has created each and every one of us and loves each of us just the same regardless of the colour of our skin.

Returning back to camp we pulled out some leftovers and enjoyed a tasty lunch. We dropped Manny, a young Amish man who had been here as a crew leader for about six weeks, off at the train station. Then Tim and I together with Bert and Lenora went to a shopping mall and after a few hours, we purchased one item and they only bought a few socks. But we had a good walk inside where it was warmer. Supper was at a little BBQ place called "Full Moon BBQ". Lenora ordered a baked potato as a side and it was huge, sorry but I forgot to take a picture. My pulled pork was very good and we left feeling satisfied. Another day done and soon another week will begin.

Thank you Lord for giving me the morning, thank You for giving me the day, thank You for every thing you do!