In 2011, near the end of our 1500-mile Mississippi River bike ride, we were invited to visit the small community of Rolling Fork, Mississippi.
The wonderful people we met there have always been a special memory. So our hearts were broken by images of the horrific storm that devastated Rolling Fork last week.
Like so many connections on Rich’s Ride, our invitation to Rolling Fork seemed random but wasn’t random at all. God led us to Meg Cooper and her amazing circle of friends through a series of generous people who caught the vision of the dream.
if you’ve read Rich’s Ride (and if you haven’t, why not?) you might remember the “highlight” of our stay in Rolling Fork was a night in the local hospital. Meg promised accommodations, but it turned out none of the local motels had accessible rooms. So she called the hospital administrator, and he agreed to let us use one of their rooms for the night!
When we arrived, the room was decorated – complete with welcome gifts, including a basket of doggy treats for Monte. They fed us like royalty (no hospital food) and turned a night in a small community hospital into a fun, memorable experience.
Speaking to their high school students the next morning, talking about hope and dreams and overcoming adversity, was a treat.
One funny story…I asked one of the nurses for the Wi-Fi password. She said it was the name of their county, which she pronounced. I tried, but it didn’t work. I asked her again. She said the name of the county very clearly. Still didn’t work. So I asked her to write it down.
We both laughed when I showed her what she’d written versus what I heard. We were in Sharkey County. Hearing her southern drawl, I was typing s-h-a-w-k-e-y.
Same country, different language!
A final chuckle…it was great to meet Meg in person, but I was more thrilled to meet her husband, Bubba. My visit to Mississippi was complete. I got to meet a real, live, in person, “Bubba.”
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We have such wonderful memories of this small community that welcomed us with open arms. Thankfully, Meg and Bubba are OK. Most of the buildings, businesses, and homes were completely destroyed last week. The community – the people who welcomed us so graciously, will come together as communities do.
Please keep our friends from Rolling Fork in your prayers. If you’re inclined to help, the folks at Convoy of Hope are already there doing great work.