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Earl and Pearl's First Sojourn · Travel With A Purpose

• 0:05
  SPEAKER_00: Hello, fellow Stowjourners.
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dave Light, and welcome to Travel with a Purpose, a podcast designed to keep Stowjourners and friends informed, entertained, and inspired.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: He and Pearl had signed up for their first sojourn to help with preparing for and participating in vacation Bible School at the Friendly Church of Christ.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: When Larry Little, the team leader, had invited them to join the project, he had also asked Earl to serve as co-team leader.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: Earl considered it a tremendous honor.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: It was going to be their first sojourn and first time as a co-leader.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: Also on the team were Dave and Lynn Leighton.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Lynn is sister to Kay Little, so this was like a family gathering.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: Well, as Earl and Pearl arrived at the church building, Larry and Kay Little were waiting for them.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: Earl could hardly contain his excitement.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: Earl just smiled as she offered a quiet prayer for success of the sojourn and Earl's enthusiasm.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: Earl wanted to do a good job.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: He wanted to help.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: Most of all, he wanted to live up to the trust Larry had placed in him.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: The church was preparing for an upcoming vacation Bible school, and the sojourner team had arrived several days early to help get everything ready.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: There was plenty to do.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Shelving needed repairs, tables needed arranging, decorations needed creating.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Games needed planning.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Supplies needed organizing.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: And all the people needed to be invited.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: The week promised to be busy.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: On the first morning, Larry gathered everyone together.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: We have a lot of work ahead of us, he said.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Let's get started.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: The volunteers quickly divided into teams.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: Larry, Dave, and Earl, and several of the men from the congregation organized crews for painting classrooms, repairing shelving, moving furniture, and handling maintenance projects.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: Meanwhile, Hay, Lynn, and Pearl, and the ladies of the congregation transformed the fellowship hall into VBS headquarters.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Construction paper appeared by the stack.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Markers, glue sticks, ribbons, and poster board covered every available table.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Before long, colorful decorations filled the room.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: The ladies organized classroom themes, children's games, registration material, crafts, and teaching supplies.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: As the week progressed, Kay, Lynn, and Pearl became close friends.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: They worked side by side every day.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: They laughed often, they encouraged one another, and more than once someone joked that if you found one of them, the other two couldn't be far away.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: And they made great friends with all the ladies in the congregation, friends that last forever.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: Now Larry had heard stories about Earl.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Most involved tools.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: Several involved ladders.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: Many involved unexpected outcomes.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: The first few days were surprisingly uneventful.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: But he also knew Earl worked hard.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: He encouraged others, and he helped with many projects.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: Everything seemed to be running smoothly.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: Then one afternoon he spent twenty minutes looking for a screwdriver.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: The entire work crew joined the search.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_00: Finally, Larry pointed to Earl's back pocket.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_00: The screwdriver had been tucked behind it the entire time.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: The next day, Earl carefully measured a board three times before cutting it, but he had measured the wrong board.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: Fortunately, the board fit perfectly somewhere else.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_00: Earl smiled.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: Always have a backup plan, he said.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: Larry shook his head.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_00: The stories are true.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: Work progressed steadily on the building as the week drew to an end.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: Several afternoons were devoted to inviting families to vacation Bible school.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_00: Church members and sojourners spread throughout the community, distributing flyers and meeting people.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: One afternoon, Earl and Pearl knocked on the door of a modest home near the church.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: A young couple answered.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: As they talked, Earl and Pearl learned that the family had recently moved into the area.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_00: They were looking for a church home, but had not yet visited a congregation.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: What started as a simple invitation turned into a lengthy conversation.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: The young parents had questions.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: Earl and Pearl shared information about the church.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: They talked about VBS, they talked about family, and they talked about faith.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: A couple of hours later, Earl and Pearl finally headed back to the church.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: Larry met them in the parking lot.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: Well, how many flyers did you hand out?
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: Larry said.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: One.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: One it turned into a really good conversation.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: Larry laughed.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: That's exactly why we're here.
• 5:31
  SPEAKER_00: The first night of vacation Bible school arrived.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: Children filled the classrooms.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: The decorations looked wonderful.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: The games were ready.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_00: The teachers were excited.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: Everything the volunteers had worked on throughout the week suddenly came to life.
• 5:48
  SPEAKER_00: While carrying supplies through the fellowship hall, Earl noticed a little boy sitting by himself against the wall.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: The child watched the activities but kind of stayed apart from others.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_00: Earl walked over and sat beside him.
• 6:03
  SPEAKER_00: Hi there.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: My name is Earl.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: The boy looked up.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: Well, my real name is Michael, he said.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: But then he added quietly, but everyone calls me Buddy.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy, Earl said with a smile, I like that.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: And as they talked, Earl learned that Buddy lived with his grandfather.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_00: His grandfather loved him and was doing everything he could to raise him well.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: Life had not always been easy for Buddy, and he sometimes struggled to connect with new people.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: Well, Buddy, Earl said warmly, I'm glad you're here.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: That simple conversation began a friendship.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: After VBS, before Buddy's grandfather arrived to pick him up, Buddy helped Earl carry supplies, and after that he helped straighten tables.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: Before long everyone noticed that wherever Earl went, Buddy wasn't far behind.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: Earl laughed.
• 7:00
  SPEAKER_00: I think you've got yourself an apprentice.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_00: I think I do, said Earl.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: As the week continued, Buddy began changing.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_00: He smiled more, he laughed more, he made friends, he joined activities, and he volunteered to help.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_00: One evening Earl invited him to stand beside him during the singing.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_00: At first Buddy looked nervous, and then Earl whispered, I think you know these songs better than I do.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy laughed.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_00: Soon he was helping lead the songs, and by the end of the week Buddy stood confidently beside Earl helping lead the children during every singing session.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_00: That shy little boy who had arrived sitting alone now stood in front of the room helping lead dozens of children.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: Everyone noticed.
• 7:45
  SPEAKER_00: Larry noticed, David noticed.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_00: Hey, Lynn, and Pearl noticed.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: The teachers noticed.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: Even Buddy's grandfather noticed.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: On the last evening, Buddy's grandfather arrived.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: He stood quietly near the back of the fellowship hall watching.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy was helping lead songs.
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_00: He was smiling, he was interacting with other children, he looked happy.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: And when the activities ended, father walked over to Earl.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_00: I just wanted to thank you, he said.
• 8:14
  SPEAKER_00: Earl looked surprised.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_00: For what?
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_00: For seeing my grandson, the older man's voice softened.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_00: He's a good boy.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: I know he is, said Earl.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: He doesn't always believe that.
• 8:26
  SPEAKER_00: And Earl glanced toward Buddy.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_00: He's been helping me all week.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_00: The grandfather smiled.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_00: I think you've helped him more than he's helped you.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_00: For a moment, neither man said anything.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: Then Earl replied, Buddy's been a blessing to me too.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_00: Soon it was time for the program to end.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: Families filled the fellowship hall, children sang the songs they had learned through the week.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy stood proudly beside Earl, helping lead the final song.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: A week earlier he had been sitting alone, and now he stood confidently in front of the room.
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_00: After the last song, Larry stepped to the microphone beside Earl and Buddy.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_00: Before anyone leaves, we have one final presentation, he announced.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: Larry handed Earl a box.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_00: Inside it was a small toolbox.
• 9:16
  SPEAKER_00: It had been clean, painted, and polished, and it had Earl's screwdriver, a tape measure, and a hammer inside it.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_00: Across the front of the toolbox were the words Earl's helper.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy's eyes grew wide.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Earl knelt beside him.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy all week, you've helped carry supplies, clean classrooms, straighten tables, gather materials, and help lead songs.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: The room applauded.
• 9:42
  SPEAKER_00: You've been one of the best helpers I've ever had.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy carefully took the toolbox.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_00: His fingers traced the painted letters.
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_00: Then he hugged Earl tightly.
• 9:53
  SPEAKER_00: Earl stepped forward, carrying a small badge with Buddy's name and sojourner in training across it.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: The room erupted in applause.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_00: Earl pinned the badge onto Buddy's shirt.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_00: The smile on the boy's face seemed to light up the entire fellowship hall.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: Then Buddy looked up.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: Mr Earl?
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, Buddy.
• 10:15
  SPEAKER_00: When I get old like you, I want to be a sojourner too.
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_00: The room grew quiet.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: Even Larry smiled.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_00: For one of the few times in his life, Earl was speechless.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_00: Finally he said softly, Buddy, that may be the greatest honor I've ever received.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: Well, the next morning the RVs were packed, goodbyes were exchanged, hugs were shared.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_00: Hay, Lynn and Pearl promised to see each other in the fall at the Camp B workshop.
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_00: The young family Earl and Pearl had met during the flyer distribution stopped by to say thank you for inviting them.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy and his grandfather came as well.
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_00: Buddy proudly wore his sojourner and training badge and carried his toolbox.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: As Earl and Pearl prepared to leave, Dave stood beside Larry watching.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_00: You know, Dave said, for this week, I had heard all the stories about Earl.
• 11:11
  SPEAKER_00: Larry laughed.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: So had I.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_00: The funny stories, the tool stories, the mishap stories.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_00: Then Dave looked toward Buddy.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_00: Now I've seen the rest of the story.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: Larry nodded.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_00: They had watched Earl organize projects as co leader.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: They had watched him encourage volunteers.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: They had watched him serve faithfully.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_00: Most importantly, they had watched him invest in a young life.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: Well, as the RVs rolled away toward the highway, Earl looked over at Earl.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: What are you thinking about?
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: she said.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_00: Earl smiled.
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_00: That was our first sojourn.
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_00: And your first one is co-leader, Earl said.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: Yep.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: Earl nodded toward Buddy, who was still standing waving from the church parking lot.
• 11:59
  SPEAKER_00: Looks like you did just fine.
• 12:02
  SPEAKER_00: Earl smiled.
• 12:03
  SPEAKER_00: No.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: What?
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_00: Earl asked in surprise.
• 12:07
  SPEAKER_00: We did just fine, said Earl.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: Behind them stood freshly painted classrooms, beautiful decorations, and the memories.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_00: The memories of a successful vacation Bible school.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: But the greatest accomplishment of the week could not be measured with paintbrushes, repaired shelves, or attendance numbers.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: It was found in a little boy named Buddy.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: A boy who discovered he belonged, a grandfather who saw hope growing in his grandson, a young family searching for a church home, and a group of sojourners who learned once again that the most important work often begins with a simple conversation.
• 12:48
  SPEAKER_00: The kind that starts with an invitation or a greeting, or the words, Hi there, my name is Earl.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: Well, thanks for listening to this podcast.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_00: I invite you to subscribe and share it with others.
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Dave Leighton, and remember, we glorify God as together we travel with a purpose.
• 13:09
  SPEAKER_00: Happy sojourning.