Grinding It Out

The mission trip is at a the half way point and we can't believe it.  Four days have passed and four to go.  Today was both ordinary and extraodinary.  On one hand, it was a long, hard but productive work day.  We all knew our jobs and went to them with determination.  Bob Pespisa had gone to Lowe's to get toilets, sinks, tables and so much else to restore the kitchen and bathroom.  There was a lot a cleaning, scraping, painting, both inside and outside.  By 3:30, we were totally exhausted, but satisfied with what had happened at the worksite.  Things are taking shape and we can see the end of the project in sight.  There is something important about grinding it out, being pushed physically, emotionally, spiritually.  Great things are done with a lot of grunt work and often inspiring projects involve very ordinary times, when you cannot really feel the Spirit.  Just the ache of muscles.  That is what it's often like at the midpoint of mission trips.

Yet today was extraordinary.  We were blessed to meet Margaret, the 93-year-old woman who basically makes the church run.  She came to us in a yellow outfit, complete with yellow sneakers with smiley faces on top.  There is a gold star on one of her front teeth.  You would never know she was 93 - maybe she looks in her 70's.  She graciously greeted each one of us.  She talked a lot about the church and its history as well as her own life, which spanned amazing and frightening times.  If you haven't read Rick Burke's blog about her, please read it!

We came back to the Folklife Center, had dinner and reflected on the day. I continue to be impressed with the deep and open ways we talk and reflect.  There was a rich conversation about what happened last night at the Riff Raff Center.  One person said that she could clearly feel the presence of God in that place.  Another reflected about the decline of churches around here, simply because young people are not going to church anymore.  Churches die when the last parishioner dies.  Then we discussed the reasons why: how the church does not want to change and innovate and speak to a new generation.  This is also true for us in Massachusetts, the most unchurched area in the country.

Then we realized that the night at Riff Raff was a church event.  The music definitely had a spiritual dimmension.  The people coming were exactly the folks Jesus called: ordinary people, searching for something in life.  People who experienced bitter lives.  They find community, good messages and acceptance there.

The scripture of the day was the parable of the talents, where a master gives three servants money to invest.  The first two invest the money and get the same amount in return.  The third hides the money in the ground, fearing what would happen if he lost the money.  His fear and caution is condemned by the master.  This parable has a lot to do with risk.  Risk is essential to the life of faith.  Churches that risk receive reward.  Oddly enough, the people who are really risking are Robert and Laurie, the founders of Riff Raff.  Go figure!

Of course, there was much discussion about Margaret, her life, and what meeting her meant to us.  She is truly a blessing to all of us.  Again, please read Rick's blog.

We will go back to do more grunt work tomorrow, and we are hoping to complete our projects on Thursday and then have a brief worship time with Margaret and her daughter, Geneva at the church.  Perhaps on Friday morning, we will visit the Wade Center, then go the coal mining museum and start our trek back to Bedford.

We thanks you all for all your messages, your prayers, your love coming down to us.  It means so much!

The moon is now rising up over the far mountains and has an amazing red/orange color that I've never seen before.  It is time for sleep, and another long day at the worksite.