Sunday October 8, 2006

 

 

Saturday Afternoon & Evening

Apple Butter Festival

Berkeley Springs, WV

 

Jim & Cindy Smalley invited us to bring the Mobile Chapel to Berkeley Springs Apple Butter Festival several months ago.  We knew that Saturday afternoon and evening would be our only opportunity to attend, so Gary & Pearl Nussbaum brought the Guiding Light Chapel from Dalton, OH, and will share the ministry in three churches this morning.

TFC has two chapels that are available for this kind of promotional work.  The other thirty-two chapels are parked permanently at truck stops in North America and Russia.

 

Pearl Nussbaum putting return labels on envelopes. 

It was raining when we arrived, so I brought a box of envelopes into the chapel.  Putting return labels on envelopes seemed like a wise use of time while we stayed inside.

Due to the restructuring of TFC, and the fact that I am mailing newsletters for chaplains and field staff across the country, I am no longer using the “Northeast Region” return address, and took three boxes of envelopes and labels along on this trip.  I completed two boxes (1,000) during the 2 1/2 hour drive.

When Pearl saw what I had, she said, “I will be glad to help you.” 

My reply, “I thought you would, that’s why I brought them inside.”    (That plan worked well!)    Pearl is a great friend, so we enjoyed getting updated on each others life – and grandchildren!

 

When the rain slowed, we noticed more people on the street.  I was hoping to go to the next block where there were lots of craft vendors, but the rain never slowed enough for me to enjoy that opportunity.

 

Jim and a friend took turns singing from the back of his pickup.

 

Jim has an awesome voice.

 

Due to the singing, Cathi (right) was drawn to the chapel, and someone directed her inside to talk to us.

 

She is a Christian who is struggling in several areas of her life.  As she shared her concerns, Pearl and I directed her to scripture and reminded her that she was loved and special to God. 

 

 

It was neat to see the change in her countenance after a couple of hours – as she felt hope restored to her life.

 

Supper

 

After closing time (5 PM) Jim and Cindy treated us to a delicious meal at Maria’s Garden, two blocks from the chapel.

 

Left to Right:  Jim and Cindy Smalley, Pearl and Gary Nussbaum, and Cindy’s aunt (If I remember correctly, she’s the one who directed Cathi to the chapel).  Cerwin and Jim and Cindy’s sons are on the right side of the table.

Jim felt bad for us that the weather was so bad, however seeing the street vendors and shops as we entered in our car only wetted our appetite to see it again next year. 

Jim is one of our favorite truck drivers, and went beyond the call of duty in trying to promote TFC at the fair.  Along with that, he fell on the wet bed of his truck earlier in the day and was in severe pain by evening. 

We had a good trip home last night and eventually drove out of the rain.