Philadelphia, PA
1:31 PM
I woke up at 6:15 to get ready for the golf tournament. Outside the windows radiated the sound of heavy rain. It was the sound that puts you back to sleep when you hear it. I got up, hit the shower, and put on my golf gear. The rain continued. Dale and I looked at the radar and it didn’t look too bad. We made the dash to the car. Dale is more of a morning person than I am se he did most of the talking. We got to the golf course at about 7:20. The tournament was not until 8, but there weren’t too many cars. We got out, shook some hands, and were told the course was closed and the tournament was not until September 3. Bummer. We grabbed breakfast. The rain still came. We agreed it would be good to go home and nap. The sounds were still there and I took advantage. I hadn’t napped for 3 hours in years. I did it.
We hung out at the house with Suzy and then headed out for linch and then a tour of ABWE. We hit Wendy’s and I got some chicken nuggets and a burger. We then went to where Rick and Lisa, their kids, work. ABWE is the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Rick is the Director of Student Mobilization. We drove up the hill to the headquarters and got a beautifully view of Harrisburg. The HQ is set on 150 acres of rolling hills and is quite impressive from the outside. It used to be someone’s mansion before ABWE bough it.
The tour was pretty incredible, not for the building, but for all that they do. They set up, keep finances, take care of travel, and anything you can think of for 1,200 missionaries in 72 countries. That is a lot of details, coordination, and people. If you want people who are passionate about what they do, this is the place.
After the tour we went back to the house and I talked with Suzy and Dale for a while. I told them about my youth and some of my stories. Then it was time for dinner and then off to Philly.
It was a great day and a half with more family. I will say that I was mentally spent after the week I had. War and religion are things that are tough to talk about and it wears you down.
I am now in Philly, after a long drive in the rain, getting lost, and finally getting to Ted’s. My brain needs a break. No interviews or deep conversations this weekend. Juts catching up with a friend from high school.