Saying Goodbye

…..For now! Ed and Judy are out of here by tomorrow, God willing, they will be safely at home in Crystal Springs on April the 14th. Ed Vetter says this was his shortest stay in Palmgrove yet, having been here for the 8th time; his longest stay was around 7 – 8 months. I recall Lance’s blog in 2006- the one where he said that Ed is leaving for home too and he doesn’t know what he would do without him. Allow Brian and me to pipe up and say the same… “We don’t know how we will manage!” Having been here so many times, he seems to know all the tricks and tips that make black people tick, and situations to work out when they seem impossible. Brian will have it harder than I will, because when someone comes up to me with unreasonable demands, I usually send ‘em to Brian…heh heh. On the other hand, on a brighter note, of course we have Ed and Anna from Cascade here, old pros! So, from one Ed to the next, so to speak. (UPDATE: Unfortunately, they had to come home too because of health reasons.) Since we are living together we get to enjoy each other’s company, and in the idle times they tell us stories about Palmgrove, how things were in the year 2000. Brian and Ed Waldner will have to see how they manage with the water plant house. If I had to choose between saying it is working out or not, I think I could say it is! We have to remain optimistic here; no use in being negative about it because what would be the point of anything then? We are now at the point where an inspector came and is very pleased with the setup. Just today Inno and he went to meet the NAFDA people (they take care of registration numbers, etc). So we hope and pray that we are finally at the last stage of this drawn-out project. Last Sunday we had quite the impressive sermon. Church is usually 2-3 hours, and includes a variety of programs, not like the Hutterite Church gatherings at home. There is singing and clapping, first children’s choir, then young people’s choir. Then “announcements,” which can include most anything… meetings, problems, discipline, scolding , future projects and encouragement. After this, which lasts over an hour, there is the sermon, held by either one or sometimes two ministers. Because of Edward’s impending departure, he was asked to have the sermon. His main message was to management and ministers, sharply admonishing them about the importance of being an example to the sheep in their fold. Lately, we have been having struggles with some of the management, including Inno’s lack of involvement in some community affairs. This can cause leaders’ to treat themselves better than the rest of the Brotherhood, whether they realize it or not. Also, he admonished the husbands and wives and emphasized their roles in a Christian marriage, how they should be a help to each other and should help build a true Christian community. They have to share the same vision and goals for Palmgrove’s future so that their children may carry on this way of life -Leanne