I wasn't there on the first day of the job. I arrived on site for day two. During the bus ride over the other volunteers, who were from Colorado, shared about day one. The group had met and spoken some to the home owner, Miss Mae. Groups are always encouraged to engage with the people as they work. The job isn't just about the work you get done in a day - it's about the connection with the community. The team had introduced themselves to her already so I would have to make a special effort to meet her today.
The house was laid out with the kitchen as you enter, a small room to the left just large enough for the bed and a 3 foot space to walk. Through the doorway from the kitchen was a living room where Mae was seated in a plastic chair in almost the middle of the floor as we entered and began work. She is an elderly woman who must be in her 80's. I had learned Mae had had a stroke several years ago and it was difficult for her to get around. It was especially difficult since the floors of her home were so unstable as she could only shuffle across them slowly. The volunteers greeted Mae and I introduced myself as a new worker for the day and told her my name. She didn't speak much and I was not sure how much her condition affected her abilities.
As the day wore on Mae was just sitting in her chair, sometimes asleep, as we were busy working. Once I looked in on her and on her lap was a worn, tattered and torn book. I could see the tight layout of the printed words on the pages, just like a Bible would appear. Her head was down and I wasn't sure if she was awake to hear me but, I asked anyway. "That looks like a very worn and much loved book." and the conversation continued something like,
"Oh yes," Mae replies, "It's what gets me through. I'm always learning something from my Bible."
Investigating more, I say - "Looks like you could use a new one."
 |
| Miss Mae's worn out Bible |
 |
| The maps look familiar to me - her Bible might not be that old - Just WELL used |
"Yes, most Bibles the words are too small. I have this one with large print and so it's easier for me to read."
"Well, Miss Mae, I'm going to see if I can do something about that. I'll see if I can find you one from the camp."
"Oh, that would be wonderful."
We shared a moment to talk about how much wisdom is in the Bible and then I went about going back to our painting. I was surprised to learn how well spoke she was even through all her troubles. Miss Mae seemed as sharp as a tack.
The camp has several Bibles on a bookshelf in the dinning hall most likely left by volunteers who needed less in their luggage to pack for the trip home. Volunteers are always encouraged to leave things, if they are in good shape and usable - sneakers, work boots, work clothing, bug spray, sun screen, books. A Bible is always a good thing to leave behind. I asked if it would be fine to take one to Mae, and as I thought, it was fine with BMH. When we got back to camp I begin to page through the self looking for an edition with large print. No luck. I share my mission to get Mae a Bible with David so he was on the hunt too. We had several places to check.
In my head, Miss Mae was getting another Bible - even if I would have to mail her one when we got back to the states. By Wednesday - still no luck in locating one.
David had taken on the job to clean up and organize the storage room at the camp. (The same storage space he had previously organized when we had been there in December) There is where he found it. A big white leather, red letter edition Bible with the famous Warner Sallman image of Jesus on the cover. Just perfect. Couldn't wait to take it to Mae!
No comments:
Post a Comment