Fun Facts about Nashville

On the eve of the start of our mission work outside of Nashville, our team spent the day in Nashville, nicknamed the Music City.

As we drove into the city for worship, we passed a pancake place with a lengthy line winding around the outside of the restaurant. Must be some amazing pancakes!

We went to worship at Bellmont UMC, chosen for what seemed to be its similarities to Grace Church. As we entered the sanctuary, its beauty touched us (See pics on facebook page). Apparently we had guest written all over us, because a very friendly guy named Hugh stopped by our pew to check us out. He let us know that over half of the congregation was on a retreat. We didn't know what impact that would have on worship, but were quickly put at ease as the choir sang its beautiful Introit from the back of the sanctuary.

After worship, we drove downtown Nashville, once again passing the pancake place. Still, a long line of persons circled the restaurant. Truly must be some amazing pancakes.

After parking, we went into McKendrie UMC just to check out the ministries of this urban church in the heart of Nashville. We will be keeping in touch with their visionary pastor whose passion for God and the Wesleyan movement is calling this church to step up in new ways.

From McKendrie, we found our way to lunch at a downtown restaurant. Large tv screens displayed football games. Some of you will be excited to learn that most of the screens were showing the Eagles playing Atlanta. I encouraged, or was that begged, the person with the remote to change the channel to the New England vs. Baltimore game. Three men who were watching the Eagles play were adament about not changing the channel. When they discovered we were from Delaware, they were interested. Turns out, they were from Hockessin! Can you believe it? We came all the way to Nashville to meet three guys from Hockessin! Eventually, I did get to see the second half of my game. It was exciting to find that there were other Patriots' fans in Nashville!

As we were eating, 2000 bikers made their way into Nashville into the very block and surrounding area in which we were eating. Edwin, who seems to have a secret fantasy of owning a Harley, spent a great deal of time looking at the bikes. You may not know, but I rode a 1200 Superglide (red) Harley once or twice when I was in my early 20s. Just a little known fact!

As we left the restaurant and walked along the Cumberland River, we heard the sounds of country music coming from the area where a benefit was being hosted. Paul thought he heard the voice of Dolly Parton. Turns out, he was correct! There she was, a few hundred yards away from us!

We made our way out of Nashville and drove to the Lutheran church where we found Judy, the woman we had waited for the evening before. We received our work "orders" for tomorrow and drove out to the work site so we would know what was expected of our crew. We'll be working in a trailer park on two trailers. One of the trailers needs to be prepared for the cold weather that is coming. The family seems lovely, their 18 month son Carlos a friendly little boy. The other trailer is the home of a couple who is expecting their first child in a few months. While much of the work in their home has been done, they are in dire need of a water heater. We'll go to get them one tomorrow and Edwin and company will install it. Road trip to Lowes, just like in Mississippi; I'm looking forward to it!

After leaving the trailer park, our team pulled together our food for the next couple of days. Then we headed for home, the chance to put our legs up and to write this blog on our day in Nashville.

BTW: Did you know that after drinking a cup of locally produced coffee in Nashville, Teddy Roosevelt coined the phrase "good to the last drop!"? Okay, that has nothing to do with our mission trip; but it is fun to know, isn't it?

Well, I'm off to get a few hours of sleep. Sweet dreams. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
I'll write more tomorrow.