My life as a missionary to a trailer park in Arkansas

Day 57
I'm finally making inroads with the people of Barnhill. I'm so glad my labor has not been in vain. Bubba is finally coming over mid-afternoon for a Bible study and has officially forsaken watching Jerry Springer at that hour. Most of the people in this village watch the show because they all know the guests personally who appear on it.

I've been living with a family and their extended relatives in a trailer for the entire time I've been here. It's the only vehicle they have on their property that has wheels. Joe Bob walks his son to school everyday. They bond really well during their walks, and I think when Billy Bob gets saved, he will use that time wisely to share the ways of the Lord with his son. That and they discuss the homework since father and son are both in the same grade at school.

Every morning is rough waking up to the smell of possum and pigeon casserole as most of the people here eat for breakfast. The most popular place to eat at is the Road kill cafe.

Most of the kids are looking for things to do. If it weren't for the gospel, they'd all be causing trouble and tipping over port-a-potty outhouses while their elders are in them.

It wasn't easy at first making connections with these people. And over a week ago we had our first fatality. A bunch of us were playing 'keep-away' with Chico's sneakers and threw them up on an electrical wire. He got a ladder and leaned it against a wall to avoid the wire while he was getting them, however, I saw some change underneath it and went to pick it up. In the process I accidentally banged my head on the third or fourth rung, shaking it and it began to tip, and the ladder touched the live wire and Chico was electrocuted, and fell into a big puddle of mud where the possum began to eat him. No, Chico! Why you and not me! How will I look his wife and 15 kids in the eye and tell them how he died? Oh well, playing keep-away made for some good bonding time with the locals.

The land of Barnhill, AK has proven to be quite a cultural experience, as most of the people watch the show COPS because they were on it the week before. Also, this is a weird culture in that people are not surprised or fazed when cops enter their house.

I haven't seen any converts yet. But I'm sure my labor is not in vain, as I keep sowing and sowing I know the harvest is just waiting to happen. Maybe I can hand out tracts this Friday at the local family reunion dance that the Smiths in town will all be attending in order to pick up lasses. So far I have not judged their ways at all, however, I have a tremendous heart to see this people saved, buy a suit and tie and evangelize Hollywood. Praise God. They say that vision is the only way to get yourself through the dry times. I focus on this goal in order to make it through these tough times.