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| Evidence of French's Week at IAWAH |
Just got back from hosting 107 boys at Camp IAWAH (Proverbs 3: 5-6). This is a place where French and I spent many summers. French always worked the maintenance side of things, and I worked as a counsellor, and in program. He really had a knack of rubbing the camp admin the wrong way. One summer he brought up his CD collection in an empty Labatt Blue 24 case. He kept it in his window..."to prop it up"...he always said.
I'd call his relationship with the camp ambivalent, so I was a bit surprised to see him up there again this summer. I saw him one day just mowing lawn. He'd popped up last year, but he had not mentioned that he intended to volunteer.
The first night I found him in his truck sleeping. He'd mown lawn for 12 hours and he was beat. I coaxed him to snag a bunk in my room, but he insisted on sleeping with no pillow, and only used a beach towel as a blanket; he called it his penance.
After spending the day mowing or washing pots he'd hide out behind the gym, smoke cigarettes and read his old Bible. One day he broke this routine and manned the barbecue during a big rain storm. French had always had affection for the old camp cook. The two of them looked crazed flipping burgs amidst a howling storm.
I asked him about his week of "heavy labour". He took a big draw from his smoke, stubbed it out, exhaled, closed his ragged Bible and said: "best week yet".
12 comments:
I've always liked doing penance -- it clears up space for more sinning.
this French guy who sleeps in his truck and holds cds in his labatt blue box and reads his Bible behind the shed, i like him. a lot. (and you too, ollie! :))
French is bold, not afraid to live life the way he sees it. He sure seems to have a heart for service.
... exhaled, closed his ragged Bible and said: "best week yet".
the best, isn't it?
French could likely teach us a thing or two regarding that which makes a week "good."
It is always a "best week" when we are giving. He sounds like a great guy - French!
I remember those days Olie. Might have helped French cut some of that vast acreage. Something pure about toiling out there. Good one.
We are at our best when we put away our expectations and simple see to what needs to be taken care of. Nice one Ollie,
Elizabeth
I love it, Ollie, and love French too! Great story!
We all have a penance that needs to be worked out from time to time or even over many times. Few are ready to do it as cheerfully and wholeheartedly as French. (My husband had an identical butt can til he finally quit this year, easing my worries and pleasing my sense of aesthetics to no end.) Enjoyed the tale.
Excellent stuff. Best yet!!
are you sure that french guy is saved?? he smokes cigarettes!! ;) love that ragged Bible.
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