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| TRAVELS WITH MY DINOSAUR 05 June - 05 August 2003 |
| Sunday 22nd June. To honour my the history of Atlanta's most famous son, I had intended to join morning worship at the Horizon Sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sweet Auburn. However, I was feeling rather tired this morning, and the prospect of doing battle with cross-town transport in the early morning didn't really appeal, so I instead set out for the North Avenue Presbyterian Church, an easy 10 minute walk away. NAPC is located on Peachtree St N.E. One has to be very clear on addresses in Atlanta as every other road seems to be called Peachtree Street, or West Peachtree St etc, etc. i don't think the planners were too inventive when they named the roads here. Nor are drivers at all respectful of a white stick - it took me almost 5minutes to cross the four lane North Avenue at it's intersection with Peachtree - I know because I timed the wait! At first I thought I'd got the address wrong because the church appeared to be totally lacking in activity - for a sunday morning just before a service. The doors on the main road were closed tight and I surveyed the sight from street corner, feeling more than a little confused. Well, it turns out there's a descreet little entrance off the car park - The doors on the main road opened immediately before the service began. I guess they assume that everyone drives in. The service itself was really good, and the video screen was clear enough for me to read the songwords with my telescope - white text on a dark background. There were even a few choruses I knew. The minister, Scott Weimer, preached on the crisis of discouragement which seems to engulf our world these days. I am certainly easily discouraged, and slow to seek God in those times. It is reassuring to be reminded that even God's greatest servents suffered the pain of deep discouragement, but even more uplifting to know that God is fully able to provide security and encouragement in the mindst of crisis. At the end of the service, the microphone was passed over to the congregation for 10minutes, allowing people to share newds of answers to prayer, personal updates, prayer requests etc. As a visitor, I was encouraged to share something, so I talked about the blessing of glorious weather yesterday for the BTFC outing - a true blessing, as June has been one of the wettest months in recent memory. I thought this idea of sharing news and prayers is lovely. As I was leaving the church, someone tapped me on the shoulder. Ken introduced himself to me and told me that he had been most interested to hear of the BTFC. His own daughter was dianosed with a brain tumour 18months ago, and although the family only lives in Decatur, her had no idea of the foundation's existance. We chatted for a short time, and I promised to call him with the BTFC contact details. How crazy that it takes a visitor from England to alert a father to the existance of such a vital suport system right in his own backyard. I did call him back with the details, then alerted Mary to the family. I hope they link up and gain from the support sytem available in Atlanta. I spent this afternoon relaxing by the pool. Very nice it was too. I did consider again going to Sweet Auburn, but I have a busy week ahead of me, and I knew I'd benefit more from the rest time. Right next door is the wondeful Mary Mac's Tea Room, a tradition in Atlanta since 1945. I had dinner there with another young travellor from the UK - Rachel, who is on her way to Los Angeles. Mary MacKenzie established her tea room at the end of WWII, and since then the restaurant has had only three owners. Today, John Ferrell oversees the cooking and down-home southern hospitality of Mary Mac's. Dishes are still prepared as they were back in the forties, and the food tastes real good. Virtually anything is fried in the south - even pickles! I opted to try the famous fried chicken, which attracts so many politicians and celebrities year-round. For the status of it's many patrons, the menu in welcomingly affordable, making my meal taste even better. Naturally, one cannot visit Atlanta without tasting a peach. In respect to all peaches everywhere, I chose a peach cobbler for dessert, and thanked the Lord that I'd found enough room for it. What a delight! If you ever find yourself in midtown Atlanta for dinner, go to Mary Mac's at 224 Ponce de Leon. You'll be glad you did! Bedtime for me now, I think. God bless. |