This week at the Character Inn we hooked up the television for the evening and gathered the Inn staff and Verity students and staff in the Parkview Restaurant to watch the State of the Union address. We made popcorn and served soft drinks. Nearly everyone in the building assembled. After the address we closed the evening in patriotic singing and prayer for our country.
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Dorothy Hall
In the spring of 1987 we moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio to pastor a little village church. The church custodian was a widow named Dorothy Hall. Dorothy was a servant like Dorcas in the Bible. (Acts 9:36-42) She was a true friend to me and to my family. She would ask us what foods we liked and fix them for the family. Almost every Wednesday evening of our pastorate she fixed us a full evening meal even though it was hard for her to stand on her feet. She insisted on delivering it personally even though it was difficult for her to walk. The children would run and shout, “Dorothy’s here. Dorothy’s here” when her brown car would pull in. Then they would run out and carry in baskets of food.
She once found out about a sandwich I liked and she would drive all the way into town and bring one back for me. She helped me know when someone needed a pastoral visit. She planted flowers around the church and worked to keep them lush and beautiful. She told me stories to help me understand the people of the community and the heritage of the church. She was the sounding-board for all my messages. She warned me when there was a dark cloud on the horizon. She was a companion to me and a true loyal friend.
She and her husband raised five children on the farm. When I think of Dorothy I remember two things she used to say. She often told me that she noticed especially with her husband and sons that everything went smoother and everyone was happier if she made sure that everyone had a full stomach.
There was another life lesson she repeated to me more than once when she could tell I needed encouragement. It was something she learned from the vet. He had visited because their prize dairy cow was sick. The vet walked up on the back porch and solemnly delivered the news that their prize dairy cow was not going to live. It was a hard blow to the family. They were depending on the cow. They had no insurance and no way to replace the cow. The wise old vet waited for few minutes while Dorothy and her husband adjusted to their loss and then he quietly said, “Remember to thank the Lord that the sickness is out there in the barn and not in here in the house.”
Those were two simple lessons I remember from my many conversations with my friend. When everyone has a full stomach everything goes a lot smoother. When sickness comes to the barn don’t despair. Thank God it’s not in the house.
We moved away from Ohio over six and a half years ago. One sunny afternoon I was cleaning my garage and the phone rang. It was my brother Nathan. Nathan said, “Ken, Dorothy Hall’s funeral is today.”
After I hung up the phone I went back to my sweeping. I smiled when I thought of Dorothy and I cried some. I thought how much I would like to have been there at her funeral. I would have said, “Dorothy Hall was a great cook, a friend to the pastor and a true Christian. She helped me keep things in perspective and she helped keep hunger and discouragement away from our door.” Then I think I would say; “Let’s go to the fellowship hall and get something to eat. We all feel better on a full stomach.”
Kenneth L. Pierpont
ken@kenpierpont.com
February 3, 2003
The Riverfront Character Inn
Flint, Michigan
Pleasant Valley Bible Camp
Last night we returned from Pleasant Valley Bible Camp near Traverse City. We drove up Friday. The snow thickened with every mile. Within twenty miles of the camp the pines were laden with snow. As much as we love our life and ministry in the Inn it is refreshing to be able to get out for the weekend and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. We love to travel into the North Country and there is nothing I love more than preaching to camps, conferences, retreats, banquets, seminars and churches. I preached four times over the weekend. The family sang in each session. We met in the new chapel. It was a beautiful building paneled with knotty pine.
[Read more…] about Pleasant Valley Bible Camp
A Frightening Encounter
We all have our fears and phobias. For some of us it is heights. Children are usually a little afraid of the dark. Most of us are at least a little uncomfortable around snakes. We have read that most of them are harmless. They eat rats and mice and they are good to have around, but we still are a little uneasy around them.
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“Punkin”
A classic re-post from 2003
“As a follower of the One who couldn’t look on a crowd without weeping, I have a long way to go.”
There is a street character around here who calls himself Punkin. He stops by the Inn and makes himself at home whenever he can get away with it. He has some mental challenges but he is sharp enough to figure out when he can slip in without being stopped. When he can he usually goes strait to the kitchen without permission, pours himself a cup of coffee and starts to pressure the kitchen staff for food. He is very demanding and I suspect was not raised in an English country manor with a governess to teach him etiquette. I have told him very directly that he is not to go into the kitchen. He is to call for me when he comes. We don’t want to turn anyone away hungry so we have worked out a plan for people to do a little chore in exchange for a meal. That usually works out well though it often comes at the most difficult times and seems an interruption. I know enough to realize that often the interruptions really are the main work.
Once he showed up at the very minute we were welcoming very special guests who were visiting the Character Inn for the first time. I saw the guests drive in and stepped out to welcome them just in time to see that Punkin was there and he volunteered to show the guest where to park. Without being asked he just jerked open the door and hopped in the passenger seat. I hurried over, pulled the door open and insisted that he get out. He was determined but finally yielded. I scolded him mildly and he took it with his head down.
A few days ago I drove in and Punkin materialized out of nowhere. When I looked up he was staring into the widow of the van. I was listening to an interesting radio broadcast and had things on my mind. I was not in a good frame of mind to deal with Punpkin. He pressed his face up to the glass. I rolled down my window.
“Hi, Punkin,” I said, feeling impatient.
“Do you have some change, man, I need something to drink. I’m thirsty.”
“Not today, Punkin. I’m sorry,” I answered.
“Can I have that pop there?” He said, pointing to a warm can of Diet Coke Lois had left in the van.
“It’s warm, Punkin.”
“I don’t care,” he said reaching across in front of me and taking it before I could hand it to him. Then he frowned and said, “It’s diet” as if he ordered it and I brought the wrong thing.
“Pumpkin, that’s what I drink. I drink diet.”
He said, “I like you, you remind me of my dad.” And then he turned and walked away. I eagerly started to roll my window up, glad to get on with my other plans. He stopped and looked back before the window was all the way up and said, “I love you.” I think he says things like that so I will have cold regular Coke for him next time. But even if he did tell me he loved me to soften me up his words unsettled me. They came as a rebuke. I rarely let someone tell me they love me without saying it back but the words didn’t come. I couldn’t say it back without feeling like a hypocrite.
I rolled the window up and sat in silence for a few minutes. It’s hard it is for me to really love from the heart when I have something else on my mind. As a follower of the one who could not look on a crowd of people without weeping I have a long way to go.
Kenneth L. Pierpont
Riverfront Character Inn
Flint, Michigan
April 6, 2003
Known and Loved
One day I was driving a group of friends to a family seminar in Holmes County, Ohio. The village of Berlin was about an hour from our home. The seminar was held at a Mennonite Church. It is a wonderful setting for a seminar.
On Saturday the seminar is all day. I had to leave without cash and without food. I left that morning a little frustrated that I would have to go all day without eating.
I consoled myself with the thought that I could fast and it would allow me to concentrate more on the rich teaching that I would receive. It was a beautiful day and the drive was pleasant through countryside that is dear to my heart. The company was good. I enjoyed conversation with my friends about the things of the Lord as we drove.
When we arrived I found my place and settled in to enjoy the seminar. The morning passed swiftly and I noticed no hunger. When the noon hour came I went to the van to spend some time alone with the Lord. On the church grounds was a hill crowned with a giant Maple. In the shade of the tree people began to spread quilts and open large picnic baskets. Out came the food and my resolve to fast began to wane. I watched the Amish and Mennonite moms draw meals from baskets and I knew it would be impossible to meditate with this feast going on in front of me.
I started the van and drove into the village of Berlin. I found the Christian bookstore and spent some time browsing among the books. I have loved books and since I was a child. One of my favorite places on earth is a good bookstore. Standing there I sensed someone behind me and felt a hand on my back. I turned and was shocked to see Lois standing there.
“What are you doing here?” I said.
She smiled. I looked down into her deep brown eyes. “I couldn’t stand the thought of you going hungry so I brought you some money.” My heart welled up with love for her in that moment. We ate lunch and kissed goodbye. I went back to the seminar and she made the hour-long trip back home.
Remembering that day two things stand out in my mind. First that Lois would know that I was hungry and care enough to drive two hours just so I would not have to go without food. Second, that when she went to the church and saw I was gone she knew exactly where she would find me.
I am a wealthy man. I have a wife who both knows me and loves me.
Kenneth L. Pierpont
ken@kenpierpont.com
Riverfront Character Inn
Flint, Michigan
January 13, 2003
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