A Ride Down Memory Lane

The date was July 27, 1970 and the temperature that day in South Central Georgia was in the upper 90s with equivalent humidity. Sharon and I were just married the previous Saturday and we were on our honeymoon on the way to Florida. The little Opal we drove had no air conditioning, so we were tired and ready for a night's rest. We pulled off I-75 just south of Atlanta to a motel in Jackson, Georgia. (The only one in town) The name of the motel was "The Heart of Jackson". It had a large heart over the roof with an arrow through it. This is the place - - I knew we should stop!

I untangled myself from the Opal and went in to get a room. As I went to the desk to check in I noticed some well dressed folks sitting in the lobby. As I was filling out the register, these folks made a semi-circle behind me. Now as some of our close friends know , I have strong resevations about "small southern scary towns". So now what? One of the gentlemen introduced himself as the local banker and he was spesking on behalf of the local Professional Business Women (who were present) and they would like for us to be their guest for the evening. They were having a "Stay and See Georgia" contest. Of course, I responded, "we would be honored to be your guests."

That evening those good folks treated us to some good southern food at a Bar-B-Q picnic. Then one of the ladies ( a retired school teacher) took us to her home which was a large pre-civil war house. It was such a treat to tour her home.

The next day she and a freind took us to a garment factory, a luggage factory and tried to visit the new prison that had just opened. "I'm sorry, but you can't visit here," was the guard's reply. We silently were thankful, whew! They then took us to a roadside fruit market and treated us to some very large and sweet peaches. We were then on our way to Florida. For a few years we recieved Christmas Greetings from the dear lady. We reasoned she passed into glory when they stopped.

Well, that trip was 37 years ago. While visiting our daughter this fall in Macon, Georgia, we saw the sign on I-75 "Jackson" next exit. We couldn't resist to take a short trip to see what it would be like. It had indeed changed.

From what we could tell, a housing development was in the place of "The Heart Of Jackson" Motel. There were weeds and overgrowth where the garment factory stood. The building had turned to rust and the fence was in disrepair. I suppose garments are made in China or some other part of the world now. The benches were still around the courthouse, but no one was sitting on them as they were 37 years ago. There was a "Burger King", McDonalds, etc., along the highway. - - No motels. I saw a couple homes were flying the Confederate Flag. And there was a billboard advertising for recruits to join the "Sons of Confederate Veterans". We didn't see any fruit stands.

While some changes are good - - I found none here. The sleepy freindly little town had digressed into a couple gas stations, burger joints, and a few junk cars.

While our lives too have changed, our attempt has been to stay progressive and positive. We are thankful for a God who may deal with His creation differently at different times, but never changes His ultimate purpose for us. He is the same today and forever.

In a couple weeks we will be heading for our second RVICS project this season. We are going to a Christian Conference Ground near Talladega, AL. We again covet your prayers for safety while we travel and work.

I'll be looking for those fruit stands.

Farewell to Youth Haven Ranch

On September 7 we entered Youth Haven Ranch, Rives Junction, Michigan, with excitement and, as always, all too soon it is time to say goodbye. This month flew by quickly. We will never forget the beauty of this place and the ministry that is being done. It was so good every weekend to see the children come (free of charge) and be free of their burdens that they carry at home. This is an excellent ministry and very much needed in the world that we live in today. Hopefully, in some small way we have made this a better place for this ministry to children.

Also, we will never forget the people that we worked side by side with for the past month. It was a sad time as both the people that we worked with at the camp and those we worked with from RVICS said our last goodbyes and the last hugs were given and the last wave goodbye given. However, we will never forget the friendships that we have made and the common bond of Christian faith that holds us together. Without those "back home" we couldn't do this. Thank you all for the prayers, e-mails etc that you have given for us.

During the month of October we will be visiting with family and friends. Then, there are always the list of things to do at home that never seems to end. However, when the first week of November comes rolling around we will once again hook the truck to the 5th wheel and with excitement head for our next project.