Made it to Carlisle, PA

The first leg of our trip to Pipestem went well.  We got to Carlisle, PA in 7 hours, 15 minutes.  There were many blessings yesterday.  Dotty Blake came down with warm, delicious cranberry nut bread for our trip - thanks Dotty!  All the bucket items you donated fit in the back of our minivan, as you can see.

Perhaps the greatest blessing is that we have a minivan to drive.  On Friday, Chris took me to the rental place at Hanscom Airport, to pick up the minivan I ordered (and paid for) and the person at the desk told me that they do not have a minivan and will not have one.  Panic mode!  I got home, and after an hour on the phone with the rental company, finally found a seven-seat van in Saugus.  My faith is tested before the trip even starts!

Sometimes I think that when you are doing something good, there should be no obstacles, no problems on the way - that everything should just work out well for you.  Yet Jesus himself found out that his mission of healing, teaching and transforming people's lives met with one obstacle after another.  Blessed are those who go on mission trips, for they shall get their minivan, despite the grief from the car rental company!

Last night, we fulfilled Allyson's only requirement: to eat at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, and so we did, the one next to the motel.  After a delicious dinner, and quick tour of Dickinson College in the evening, we slept, tired from the driving.

We're ready to head to Pipestem and get our first sight of the Appalachian South Folklife Center.  In a couple hours, we'll be with you in spirit as you gather to worship.  We appreciate all your prayers, both this morning, and throughout the week.  Keep tuned into the blog!