A Short List of Strangers We Met along the Way

Traveling this way makes it necessary to rely on strangers. As we have intentionally become strangers, we realize how fearful our world has become. If we are not careful, we can encounter the stranger with suspicion and we could easily become afraid.

Bob and Karen Paisley are the masterminds of Metrapolitan Ensalmble Theatre (check out their website: www.METkc.org) here in Kansas City. We were enchanted by their production of Tenessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire." Absolutely fabulous acting and directing! The final words resonate with me and sum up well our transition. As Blanch DuBois says: "I have always relied on the kindness of strangers." Although, Bob and Karen are not strangers to us , we have not known them that long and even so during our time away, they used our car. Theirs had been stolen. Examples of such non-sense abounds, but so do examples of great kindness. Now that we are back, they are borrowing someone else's vehicle for a while.

While visiting Chris and Lori at Oakdale Christian Academy in the hills of Kentucky, we were doing a short hike up a trail when we came upon a wild turkey and her young. Kylar, age 4 (in a couple days anyway) and Kaiden, age 2, Lori and I were startled at first. Lori did a crazy "scare the chicken" dance and I stood perfectly still after scooping Kaiden up into my arms. The wild turkey swawked and circled us hoping that we would get the message that we were not welcome strangers in his territory. Those baby turkeys were being protected from possible harm. We took the hint and slowly made our way back down the trail.

Another stanger that made me laugh was the woman taking our order at McDonalds. Clearly Chris and Lori are living as strangers in KY because they have not learned the native tongue and it took 4 tries....at least 10 minutes to order 3 items at McDonalds.

Now, we are back in KC for a couple days then we will go the the Great Plains Annual Conference. Yes, we will say goodbye to a lot of dear people...and even though we still have to decide where we will call home, we are still "going where we're going and we'll get there when we get there." These dear people were strangers six years ago and have become family. It causes me great grief.