Wonderful Visit, Wonderful Friend

It has been a few days since Ann left, but what a wonderful visit we had! Ann is a good friend from Sheboygan and she came to the Appalachians on Thursday, May 20th. I cannot believe all the things that happened that she and I could be a part of. There were volunteers in from Ohio and we were able to have dinner with them at Camp AJ and then share a devotion with them. They were some great, hard-working people and we really enjoyed sharing an evening with them.

The days at work held some interesting home visits and I was delighted that Ann got a good view of the area that I work in. We traveled up the mountain and had to take one of those driveways down that you can't see until the front end of the car nosedives and then there is the road in front of you. Ann was a little freaked but was a trooper and held in there with us. The homes were on the meager side and it showed the poorer side of Clay County. Some of the homes in another area were beautiful and very well kept up, so I was happy that we got a view of all types.

Ann and Angie, my co-worker, hit it off famously. Sometimes I think they forgot that I was even along. :) I usually took the back seat when we traveled around the county so Ann had a clear view of all the areas that we were visiting. We stopped at a ministry that reaches out to pregnant women and Ann was able to drop off some beautiful caps and booties that a friend had sent along for the babies. The woman who runs the program had just gotten off of a phone call and we all took hands to pray for the situation she had just learned of. It was quite moving, and again I was happy that Ann could get a sense of the people that I have built a relationship with here in Kentucky.

We took some time for sight seeing and saw some really beautiful countryside. On Sunday we traveled up to Lexington and worshiped at Southland. This is a huge church on the edge of the city that does some amazing outreach in the area and all over the world. It was a very moving service and I was delighted to be able to worship with Ann.

I cannot thank Ann enough for her generous gifts for the people of Appalachia and also for what she has given to me. How can I say thank you to someone who brought me a taste of home. It was awesome to have Ann here and I am glad that she was able to come and get a good picture of what I do.

I pray you are all having a great Memorial Weekend.
God Bless
Jane

Retreat of a Lifetime

Well, it has been two weeks since I last checked in. I didn't have too much to say last week, so I thought I would keep it all for this week. And what a week it has been. I just returned to Jackson House from the volunteer retreat held next door at Camp AJ. Wow was it wonderful!!!!!

First I was honored to be asked to help with the music. There are musicians on the east side that lead us in song, and myself and three of my housemates were also asked to help out. We were challenged to do some Taize music for the group. First of all I had no idea what that was so we checked on youtube and there it was. It is a type of chant that is used in worship and I think it was started in France. Anyway, we found two songs to use and it was beautiful! God used our voices and it really was a wonderful experience.

The highlight was the main speaker. He was amazing. His name is Todd Butler and he is a professor at Brescia University in Owensboro, KY. His main thought throughout the retreat was transformation and transition. Many of us are coming to the end of our year long commitments and it has been very difficult in some cases to say good-bye. Say good-bye to people that you have grown to love and also to say hello to the new volunteers coming in to take their places. It is a truly bittersweet time. Change is constant and sometimes it is difficult to keep up with it all.

Todd had us taking a look at the community (family of origin) that we grew up with and how that compares to the community that we have been living in currently. How do they differ and what similarities do we see. It was quite interesting to diagram the table where I shared a meal as a child and what the table looks like today that I share nightly with my community here. It is difficult to put into words all that he walked us through. I just know that I want to keep this with me for as long as I can.

There is a stray dog that has been wandering around Camp AJ for a few weeks. Yesterday morning a little girl was trying to use bacon held out in her hand to help lead this dog to a pile of food that had been laid out for the dog. This stray is very skittish and would not come to the little girl or follow her to the feast that had been prepared. We talked about this situation and compared it to this. What is God holding out to us that we are too afraid to take from His hand? What is He attempting to lead us to that we just cannot see? It may sound funny to compare this small child and a stray dog to our relationship with God. But to me, it touched something inside that I think will stay with me for a long time.

I pray all is well with you and yours. God keep you safe til we meet again.
Jane

I Know a Man

Shackled by a heavy burden,

'Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me,

And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,

And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know,

He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this blessed Savior,

Since He cleansed and made me whole,

I will never cease to praise Him,

I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,

And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know

He touched me and made me whole.

This past week we held the annual Women's Retreat at Camp AJ. I cannot begin to explain how wonderful this event is. Some of these ladies have been coming for 8 years, since it began. Some have come for the first time and already know that this is something they never want to miss again. We started out with some introductions and letting people know the lay of the land and what the guidelines were. Then one of the first group things was coming together and singing to the Lord. It was beyond beautiful! Carrie led us in this event and she is outstanding. Carrie has this strong and wonderful Gospel voice that just takes you to another place. Everyone joined in and we sang some of the old favorites. There were a few ladies that took the lead and it was like being in a movie. Their voices took me to a place in the Appalachian Mountains that I had never been before.

There were different activities all throughout the 3 days we were together. We all shared in the meals and then there were crafts, camp fires, fishing, more singing, speakers and more. The final day was the main speaker. She was one of the best I have ever heard, truly. She spoke directly to our hearts and told us her life story and how God has used her life to minister to other people.

At the close of her presentation Carrie started to lead us in song and the speaker went around to each person in the room to touch them, hold them and pray with them. Many a tear was shed. The song that Carrie started with is at the beginning of this entry. God was there that day and touched many a heart in that room. It is really difficul to convey the feelings I had that day. To see these women from all different walks of life ministering to each other was an amazing gift to see and experience. This is one of the best memories that will come with me when I go.

When I had first interviewed with Robyn, my manager, she talked about the retreat and how she will never stop holding the retreat for the women. I more than understand now what she was saying. This was one very special event and I know that these ladies hold it in a very special place in their hearts. If there is anything that I come back to do with CAP, it will be to attend and help with this God-filled three days in Appalachia.

I pray that all of you may have an experience such as this in your life.

God Bless

Jane