A Guy Named 'Ron' & Great Party

Saturday Helen and I had to waste some hours before going to a graduation party. So, it seemed logical to visit the Outlet Mall on GA 400 above Cumming, GA. While Helen was scoping out a shop of women's wear, I sat down on a bench next to black guy named Ron and we began talking. (I try to strike up conversations with people whenever it seems appropriate...and when it's not.) He asked where I was from and when I said, "Texas", he asked what I was doing in GA. I related our RV trails and tales of the last two years (25,000 miles). We talked for 15 minutes before Ron asked what I 'retired from'. When I said I was a pastor for 45 years, he lit up and exclaimed, "I gave my life to Christ two years ago!" He told of his life in drugs and wild women until a friend invited him to church where he said he sat with his arms folded until God, in his words,'woke me up'. He talked about not realizing what a great woman he had married, about not appreciating God's gifts to him, about his eagerness to worship the God who loved him in spite of his past life. Now, he said, he can't do enough to thank God. When Helen came out of the shop and met Ron, we talked about RVing and his and his wife's desire to do what we are doing across the country. We gave him some counsel about selecting an RV, how to begin to get ready to travel even though it will be some years before they do so. It was a delightful conversation. As we parted, Ron said, "Now I know why God told me to sit down on this bench." I might say the same thing. Ron was a blessing on Saturday.

Then, Saturday evening, we enjoyed a great party at our friends' home to celebrate Jackie's graduation. During the evening I had an interesting conversation with Leeman Bennett, former Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He has a friend in the Boise, ID area I will look up when we're back west. Small world, big contacts.