Cruise control

We left the Billy Graham centre at the Cove, Asheville, North Carolina, and headed for Marion.  Nice names they choose for their places here, Carolina, Marion etc.

We saw a Christian site.  Well it had a fish symbol on the website.  We phoned ahead, and made our way there.

The owner asked where we had been, so, bravely, I told him that we had just come from the Billy Graham centre at the Cove.
"Y'all Christians?"  he asked.
"Yes", we chorused.
He pumped my hand vigorously and then vigorously began to condemn the various sins of the American nation, listing them one by one, and getting more and more vehement with each sin.

It felt so very different from the humble, Godly, atmosphere at the Cove.  But hey, we were here to camp, not be preached at.
After a short discussion with his son about Brexit, we were given a pitch, and spent a happy night there.

It was in a beautiful location with a creek running right behind Harvey.

the creek

The best bit was having a test of the cruise control, while Ruth took the photo.  A straight bit of road. No traffic.  Up on the roof.

Cruise control?

It worked!  Fantastic, - this cruise control!

Billy Graham

Today we had the immense privilege of visiting the Billy Graham Training Centre, at The Cove, Asheville, North Carolina.

We had realised that we were not very far away, and so made a point of finding The Cove.
Easily found, as the motorway signs were pointing to it, off the Interstate highway.
What a superb place it is!
Everyone should go they if there are in the locality.
We were given a guided tour by Rusty, the welcomer.  This included seeing their call centre for prayer, an exhibition of photos, and the chapel.

The whole place was incredibly peaceful, and we felt quite moved by just being there, and what we saw.  The Cove is dedicated to God, and teaching people to share about God.
What really hit us was the humility of Billy & Ruth Graham, and their lifelong commitment to the service of God.

After the tour of the chapel, the guide invited anyone who wanted to play the Steinway grand piano, to do so.

Ruth went first, and you can see the crowd gathered round her.

I went next and they all left.

The truth is, that while Tim was playing people had begun to sit down in the chapel and worship God.   There were people there that were moved to tears and thanked us for playing and singing. It was a very precious time.  We left feeling challenged, stirred, and moved by the experience.

A bit of larking about in Billy's car.

Bear grills?

It is Tuesday morning and we were leaving the lake area. This doesn't mean we're out of bear country at all! Although Tim is desperate to see a bear, he has also armed himself with his Swiss Army Knife. Now, as this was unusual to have this in his belt, one wonders if in fact he is a little more concerned than making out.

a bear

He has been practising the art of drawing the knife out life in a wild west duel. The problem is the knife is in a velcro-fastened leather pouch, so in order to protect himself and me (of course) from any bear, he would have to take the following steps...

1. Notice the bear with his eyes and allow his brain to catch up
2. Reach to his back with his right hand and pull the fastening leather flap up
3. Hold back the leather so it doesn't drop down again with his finger and thumb
4. Use his three remaining fingers to pull the Swiss Army Knife out of the pouch
5. Bring the knife round to where he can see it
6. Use his left hand to find the knife and pull it out of its place
7. Point it out towards the bear
8. Try to scare the bear by waggling it in  front of him

At the last timed attempt on this, he managed 3 mins 45 secs.

Most of that spent on number 1.