Home

Along the way we watched a couple of episodes of Andy Griffith. This was in prep for our visit to Mayberry tomorrow morning. Natural Bridge is amazingly beautiful. The first view of the bridge is breathtaking. And to stand there with the history of that region in your mind is incomprehensible. George Washington explored this region and in fact left his initials carved in the side of the limestone cliffs underneath the bridge. Thomas Jefferson purchased the bridge and 157 acres surrounding it for $2.40. What a deal! As we explored the bridge area and the river that flows under it, we also sang in God’s outdoor cathedral. It was like worship in that holy place. Of course following this sacred moment, we rushed to the visitors’ center and spent a few minutes frenetically shopping for just the right T-shirt and magnets, etc.

When we left the Natural Bridge State Park, we headed to Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. We knew we would not have much time, but we wanted to at least see the University. The architectural style and carefully manicured lawns were beautiful. We only got to stay about 20 minutes and then continued our journey to Roanoke. Once we arrived at Roanoke we checked in at the rescue mission and were soon put to work. Part of a group was taken into the kitchen to begin preparing the evening meal while the others were busy setting up for our program in the chapel. We sang one of our songs for the kitchen coordinator. Her name was Karmen and she wept when she heard the choir sing. They really sounded beautiful in the old chapel where we were eating our meal. After singing we ate an early supper there at the rescue mission. After we ate, you would’ve been so proud of how our students interacted during the meal with the homeless. Some sat and played with children while others engaged in conversation with these poor souls. After about 45 minutes of serving in the dining room, we moved to the chapel to begin our program. It’s something about singing in that setting that makes all the lyrics fresh again. Singing “Trouble Water” about a destitute man who had no friends and no one to help him became so real as we looked out at the faces of the homeless while we sang. The song “Coming Home” had new meaning when we sang the words, “I’ve wandered far away from home”. These words will never be the same. The worship service went so well! Our host for the chapel service said that they paid attention more than they ever had. There was no wandering in and out for bathrooms and they did not have to continue to ask them to put away their phones. We experienced a holy moment in worship and hope it will remain in our hearts and spirits for many years to come. Upon leaving the rescue mission, The students have begged that we stop to eat at Cracker Barrel. Most of them ate only lightly at the rescue mission at 4 o’clock. So we are now on our way to the Cracker Barrel as we drive to Hillsville, Virginia for our last night on tour.

After a long, long day, Atyona Lambright led our devotion in the meeting room at Quality Inn in Hillsville, Virginia. We had a wonderful discussion about the future of One Voice and how that might impact student ministry at First Baptist Church Easley. Ella Hennessee led us in some singing, we prayed, and handed out a huge stack of BridgeBuilder notes to the students. It was very warm and open time of worship and fellowship. This has been a great tour!