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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Work from the HeartThere's alot that is right in this world. The fact that only bad news
sells (or so they say) distorts my view of the world many times. This week, my family and I experienced something that
seldom gets air time, but is so powerful that it could, and probably is, turning the world "right side up."
On Monday, July 13, 29 high school and college age kids, along with 6 adult leaders, stepped off a bus at the
end of our drive and walked right into our lives. They were in Calvert County, MD for a week, part of a group of 250
teens participating in Catholic Heart Work Camp. We had been expecting them for the last six weeks, so I had my "To
Do" list in hand when they walked up the hill. I expected kids that would spend some time working, and I expected
to get some things accomplished. They did and I did.
Our bank barn was painted - a back breaking four day
project. The fields were completly weeded and mulched. Drip irrigation was run, beans were picked (twice), tomatoes
picked (twice), potatoes, cucumbers, etc, all picked and ready for our customers. One group backed the CSA shares on
Tuesday and Thursday. Another group installed a new barbed wire fence and learned all about pain.
Still others
worked around the houses and pulled weeds, demolished our rotted wood fence, and moved the bunny hutch. In the meantime,
I was learning names and getting to know a wonderful group of people. They were not here just to punch their public
service card; they were here to live Christ.
On Thursday afternoon, their last day with us, I took them for a wagon
ride to the back part of our farm, the scenic part with all the woods, water, and animals. We talked about farming,
stewardship of God's creation, and the need for smart farmers. And I also shared how they had been an answer to
our prayers.
We went to the closing program at St. John Vianney's and sat with our group of kids. We
heard stories from other people who had had teams work on their houses or businesses. Patty and I lauded our team, and
I truly think they had to have been the best of the best.
Afterward, we gathered for the last time outside
the Family Life Center, hugged, cried, laughed, and promised to keep in touch. There's not one of these people that
I wouldn't invite back. And quite frankly, Patty and I would adopt them all. The work they did was great,
but the real joy in this was getting to know who they are and what they are about. While this story may never make the
headlines of the paper, we will never forget the impact it made in our lives. JB
9:54 pm est
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