PILGRIMS' PROGRESS

Only the ones who believe

Ever see what they dream,

Ever dream what comes true.

Beth Nielsen Chapman, "The Color of Roses"

ANOTHER CROSSROADS

            One of the most frequent questions we've been asked since we took to the road is, "Isn't it hard always being on the move?"  Our response usually is, "We really aren't continually on the move . Actually, what will be difficult to come to terms with is when we're feeling called to stay put somewhere for an extended time."

            I have known in my heart that sooner or later we would arrive at that crossroads, if for no other reason than we were resistant to the idea.  I firmly believe life has a way of placing in our path opportunities to grow and stretch and move beyond patterns of living which have become too comfortable--even RVing.  Naturally, it is always up to us whether we respond and move to the next level of challenge or remain entrenched where we are.

SUMMONED TO KOINONIA

            In the fall of 1999, we were faced with just such a provocation--as always, unplanned and unexpected.  We were on our way to the Natchez Trace Wilderness Preserve in Tennessee to spend the winter.  Larry was to work as the nighttime caretaker and I would have use of an office in which to finish this book.  However, since negotiating the deal, a number of circumstances had changed, and we both had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right about our going.  I'm sure the fact that our beloved travel companion, Ross, had died from a deadly tick bite at that campground the previous spring also weighed heavily on our minds.  Nevertheless, for lack of an apparent better option, we continued to head toward Tennessee.

            En route, we received our mail packet.  It included the quarterly Habitat Care-A-Vanner Newsletter bearing an appeal from Millard Fuller for all Care-A-Vanners to carve out some time to help renovate the neglected and deteriorated buildings and guest houses at Koinonia Partners.  Koinonia had just recently weathered a serious threat to its survival as a result of several years of mismanagement.

            Of course, when Millard Fuller speaks, Habitaters listen!  When I read the letter, I immediately understood why we had been experiencing the persistent misgivings about going to Tennessee--I felt sure Koinonia was where we were supposed to be.  In any case, I definitely wanted to volunteer there for a week to experience firsthand the roots and birthplace of Habitat for Humanity, if for no other reason than it would deepen my understanding and give me valuable insights for my book.  But, in my heart, I believed that once we were there it would somehow work out for us to spend the winter.  And that is exactly what happened.  By the third day, after learning of Larry's skills, they were extremely desirous of keeping us there.

            We worked out an agreement to stay through the following spring.  Larry would do maintenance, and I would be able to work on my book in an apartment across from our trailer and volunteer at my discretion.  We received further validation of our "call" when the staff at Natchez Trace was warmly supportive and understanding of our decision not to come.

A QUICK INDOCTRINATION

            We knew a little of the Koinonia story before we came, but almost nothing about founder Clarence Jordan.  I had heard about Koinonia's mail order products in the 1960's, and we had read Millard Fuller's books in which he always pays tribute to Clarence Jordan--the man, friend, spiritual leader and mentor.

            As providence would have it, we arrived a week before the 30th anniversary of Clarence Jordan's death.  Habitat for Humanity would host a grand all-day celebration on October 29, the date Clarence died, and Koinonia was planning their own special observance and dinner for the 30th, the anniversary of his burial at "Picnic Hill."  Koinonia's new Board of Directors was also arriving for the anniversary and meetings.

            Following on the heels of the big weekend, twenty members of the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme, Connecticut, were scheduled to come and work.  Old Lyme Church had played a pivotal role, through both leadership and financial support, in saving Koinonia from an ignoble demise.  Their pastor, David Good, became the Chairman of the Board and another church member on the Board, Cathy Zall, was instrumental in straightening out Koinonia's muddled finances.

            Throughout the week leading up to the commemorative activities, a resident or worker at Koinonia shared after the communal noon meal about their experiences at Koinonia and what the place meant to them.  From their accounts and a number of private conversations, we began to catch a glimpse of its rich history and meaning.  On Friday and Saturday, we would be exposed to the full emotional impact.

            Friday morning a couple hundred people congregated in front of Habitat Headquarters and, with the local high school band in the lead, processed to the conference center and office complex being dedicated as the Clarence Jordan Center.  Throughout the day and evening--by means of personal tributes, recollections, and video and theatrical presentations--a picture was painted of an extraordinary man of faith and vision whose legacy we had been asked to help preserve.

            Saturday's activities, remembrances and the culminating celebration at Clarence's writing shack, where he died, also moved us deeply.  We became aware of unfamiliar stirrings within us and began discussing the idea of making a longer commitment to this special place.  But as a result of what we learned over the previous four years, we decided the best course was to simply remain open and attuned to our inner guidance.  If this was where we were supposed to stay, we would receive confirmation.

            After awhile, the initial romantic flush of fervor faded as the realities of living in close community with a diverse group of people set in.  Our inclinations to stay fluctuated regularly, though we never lost the distinct impression that there was a reason for our being here.

In November and December we were caught up in the rush of "products season"--producing, packaging and mailing out Koinonia's specialty chocolate, pecan and bakery products.  During that time, Larry's experience in production and his mechanical ability prompted one of the coordinators to approach him about taking a management position.  The question for us was--were we willing to make the commitment to stay somewhere for an extended time?  Much to our surprise, we found it relatively easy to answer "yes."

            In due time, an acceptable working agreement was forged with the Board of Directors, and we committed to stay for two years.  We also negotiated some time off in the summers to seek a little respite from the oppressive heat and humidity and the omnipresent gnats!

DIVINE ORDER

            And so, almost effortlessly, we found ourselves in a place where Larry's talents were appreciated and could be utilized for something he believes in.  For me, it has been a nurturing and enriching setting in which to flesh out my book.  Both of us have grown and been stretched by the inevitable lessons that living in close community provides, and we have enjoyed the stimulating exposure to the many diverse and committed people who pass through here.

            One special joy is that we, along with others from Koinonia, had the honor of working on the "Victory House" in the Easter Morning Community during the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2000.  The Victory House represents both the coming full-circle of the dream of partnership housing envisioned by Clarence Jordan and Millard Fuller in 1968 and the elimination of substandard housing in Sumter County (the first county to meet Habitat's 21st Century Challenge).

Koinonia Volunteers who helped build the Victory House for Vera Thomas in Americus, Georgia

            Hundreds of people gathered in the local stadium on the culminating evening of the build to celebrate this first-in-the-world accomplishment through music, video, and acknowledgments.   I looked down at the ball field where President and Mrs. Carter were seated alongside other local supporters and marveled at what has taken place in this little corner of Southwest Georgia amidst pecan groves and red clay farmland.  What a privilege it has been to play a tiny part in it!

            In a way, we, too, have come full-circle.  We have bought one of the feral cement domed houses built by Koinonia in 1976, a two-bedroom, 780-square-foot home nestled on three-quarters of an acre of wooded land.  We now have a little place to come back to in the winters and when we are no longer able or inclined to travel.  There will always be meaningful things to do here, and a supportive community to welcome our return.  Now, if that isn't divine order, I don't know what is!

IT'S ALL ABOUT OBEDIENCE

            I continue to be amazed at how much more fruitful our lives are since we relinquished control of them.  I sometimes recall the futile strivings and wasted energy we expended when we tried to manipulate life to meet our expectations and plans, so often resulting in circumstances that were not in our best interests.  I'm reminded of the line in John Lenin's song, "Beautiful Boy": "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

            To be sure, our journey has taken on a life of its own.  At the outset, I could never have imagined it this way, nor can I even begin to guess what lies around the next bend.  Perhaps that is what it all has been about--to trust, let go of attachments, take and learn from each encounter and move confidently on to the next "appointment."