The last five months have been a transition for us as I
retired from denominational service to take the leadership reins of Buckhorn
Children & Family Services in rural Appalachian Kentucky. The transition has
been dramatic and life-changing.
Leaving the streets of Washington, DC to adopt the rural
back roads of KY was dramatic and life-changing in and of itself. Along KY 15,
where I drive day in and day out, there are no motorcades, no sirens, no traffic
jams, no buildings over two stories tall, and no concrete jungles. However,
there are farms, lots of trees and greenery, and lots of curvy roads and tall
mountains. Active and inactive coal mines are sited routinely as well as “curing
barns” for locally grown tobacco.
Everybody you pass waves or nods their head in
acknowledgement as you pass by. I don’t have to rush or head out early for fear
of getting caught in traffic. Life is slower, less stressful and made palatable
by the natural creation we are surrounded by. There are no sidewalks and street
lights where I live but there is a dark, dark sky at night where we connect
with a sky that is illuminated by grandeur of God’s handiwork. We had forgotten
how beautiful the sky was at night.
Technology is slow getting to us as there is no cable
service, no unlimited long distance telephone plans, and little cell phone
coverage. So we purchased our first Dish Satellite system, pay extra for long
distance calls, live with slower internet and bought a “mini” cell tower for
our home to boost our cell service.
We had to change our normal patterns of shopping, dining out
and outings that we so easily took advantage of and for granted while in DC. No
longer do I grocery shop each day for our evening meal, the nearest Kroger is
20 miles away and the nearest Walmart is an hour away! So meals and trips to
Walmart have to be planned. There is not an enormous selection of dining
establishments. The closest Mexican Restaurant is cash only (never carried cash
when living in urban areas), Chinese cuisine is 28 miles away, burger and fries
are at the gas station a few miles down the road, and soup and a sandwich is at
the hardware store! The area attractions are centered on nature, with lots of
hiking, trail walking, rock climbing, repelling and fishing.
So as Donna and I adapt to our new home and culture, we do
so missing some of the modern conveniences of urban life, yet all the while
thanking God for this present adventure.
