Earl and Pearl's First Sojourn

Today we join Earl and Pearl Traveler as they embark on their very first Sojourn. Excitement is running high as they arrive to help prepare for Vacation Bible School at the Friendly Church of Christ. For Earl, the week brings an extra honor as he serves as a first-time Co-Team Leader alongside Team Leader Larry Little. Along the way there are paint projects, repairs, decorations, new friendships, a missing screwdriver that wasn't really missing, and plenty of opportunities to serve.

Yet as often happens on a Sojourn, the most important work has very little to do with tools, paintbrushes, or classroom decorations. It begins with a simple conversation, grows through kindness and encouragement, and leaves a lasting impact on a young boy named Buddy, a searching family, and everyone who witnesses the power of caring for others.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

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