Date: 2004-06-13
From: Rusty's Hard Times Hollow

To: Rusty's Hard Times Hollow
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Trail Day 83 - Plus day at Rusty'sdaily miles 0.0 on ATLast night I walked down the gated driveway from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Rusty's Hard Times Hollow and read the 20+ signs posted on trees, just as over 230 hikers before me have done this year. Signs like "You are a guest in my house, Act like it" and "I will tell you in the morning whether you can stay or must leave". Lots of rules and warnings tempered by other signs that say have fun while you are here. Like "There are no zero days at Rusty's, only plus days". The driveway walk is sort of like approaching the Wizard of Oz while reading Burma Shave signs. Somewhat intimidating and intriguing at the same time. Turns out Rusty is an old softie, and the signs are designed to save him from having to tell people how he wants people to behave at his hostel. All kinds of people walk down his drive with all kinds of expectations, so Rusty needs to bring that under some control for very good reasons. You see, Rusty is a member of a community of Amish in the valley and this community provides material and spiritual support to his hiker hostel. He asked me when I arrived if I would like to go with him to their church service in the morning. I jumped at this because I have been hungry for a church service since I have been on the trail. He made sure I had long pants to wear, and it was settled. Sundown and Augie were already at the hostel and would be going also. Turned out that the entire Sunday would be spent with Rusty's friends.The church was a 45 minute drive away through countryside and farms. It is a prosperous looking brick building on a hill with the name Pilgrim Christian Church. Inside was a front hallway and reception area like many other Protestant churches. The pews were arranged as customary, but there was no altar, only a podium and a simple cross. No elaboration or decoration in back of the podium, and only the words "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord" painted above the stage. I was reminded of the simplicity of a Quaker church. The women and girls all sat on the left side wearing long dresses and bonnets, and the men were on the right wearing white shirts and black coats of a particular style. No ties. Open face beards. Dress and customs aside, I found the men and women I met no different than those at any other church I have attended. Except that they were far more friendly and open and eager to talk with me. Intensely engaged and personal, accepting and honest. I have never been in the midst of such a warm group of people. The service was similar to other churches: a scripture reading, a sermon and a hymn. The sermon was interesting, thoughtful and well delivered by a young man. The message was that God is transcendant but has a divine purpose. God wants a people and wants to be with His people. God's purpose will eventually come to pass, but people have repeatedly turned away. Christ was sent so that God could be among His people. To understand God's purpose, one must study the Bible and live righteously. One can serve God's divine will by sharing with others. After the service and greetings, Rusty took us to the home of a family from the congregation where we enjoyed Sunday dinner, as it is known in the South. If you are Southern, you know what I mean. Plenty of delicious servings of fresh vegetables, meat and pies. Rusty had warned us it would be an insult to not bring along a good appetite. Needless to say, that was not a problem with this Piggy Boy. I felt at home here with this family and honored that they would take me in as a guest in their home.By late afternoon we had returned to the Hollow, but Rusty soon asked if we would like to go to an evening music service. We all agreed, so back down the mountain we went to hear hymns sung "a capella" by two choral groups. Traditional hymns like "Farther Along" and others. I could write much more about my experiences on this Amish Sunday, but I have already gone on too long. Suffice to say that I am very grateful to Rusty and his fine community for their outreach to me and to other hikers.