Thursday 2/10/11

Thursday 2/10/11

Our little suite turned out to be the perfect place for us to stay last night. In addition to the bedroom, we had a kitchen and a den which gave us a little space to spread out and organize for the next part of our trip.  After a workout in the hotel fitness center, and a breakfast buffet, we ventured out to explore Atlanta.

Our first stop was the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.  Cam has always been a fan of Jimmy Carter as a man.  From peanut farmer to President of the United States – amazing!  Karen and Cam also admire JC’s stance on civil rights. President Carter was a strong proponent of racial equality long before that was a popular, or even safe, position to take.  Additionally, President Carter has dedicated the years since his presidency to diplomacy, Habitat for Humanity, and reducing world hunger.

Some of the Atlanta schools were closed today due to snow forecasts.  After leaving behind record snows in New Jersey, Karen and Cam had to laugh since the only snow we saw on the ground was a small patch beneath a tree at the Presidential Museum.

High on our list of places of interest was the Wren’s Nest, the home of Joel Chandler Harris. Mr. Harris was the creator of the Uncle Remus character who told tales of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear.  Cam’s first record was the Uncle Remus Tales which he listened to until he memorized and could recite every word from both sides of the album.  Unfortunately, the house was closed for the winter season, but we enjoyed walking around the outside and peering into the windows.

Last, we toured the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, and came away with new knowledge and some strong impressions regarding the progress of civil rights in our country over the past half century.  Examples:

Coretta Scott King.  Dr. King  was well matched with his wife who dedicated her life to the same ideals as her huband both during his life and after his assassination. 

Jesus Christ and Mahatma Ghandi.  Dr. King’s father and grandfather were pastors at the Ebenezer Baptist Church across the street from their home in what was then considered the wealthiest black community in the world.  Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolent revolution found its roots in the teachings of Jesus and Ghandi.

Lynching.  There were photographs and stories of various lynchings throughout the south.  It was an ugly illustration about man’s consistent inhumanity to man throughout the course of history.

Home.  The street on which Dr. King spent his childhood had large homes at one end for the more affluent, and smaller homes on the other end of the street for those with modest incomes.  From all reports, the neighborhood functioned as an extended family, and was a strong influence in Dr. King’s belief that people of all backgrounds can get along with one another.

                We spent this evening and tonight in Auburn, Alabama with Kent, his wife Tammy, and their daughters Taylor and Carlie. Cam was stationed in the Air Force with Kent.  We feasted on “Mike and Ed’s BBQ” while we enjoyed sharing stories about dentistry, the USAF, old friends, and what we have done since last seeing one another 22 years ago.  Once dinner was finished, and we didn’t think we could eat another bite, Tammy introduced two HUGE cakes, one strawberry and the other red velvet, with half-inch thick frosting on each. Kent and Tammy have been faithful supporters of our Honduras ministry as well, so it was great to reconnect on a level beyond emails and donation checks.  Their house is spectacular, and we enjoyed a comfortable night in their guest room.  Short driving day – 123 miles.