Out of civilization then back, sort of

Holy cannelloni! I've got culture shock after Austin. Smalltown is mostly poor and Hispanic, although there are affluent Hispanics and Anglos here too. I was probably sent here as a modern day missionary. After 11 years in Austin, here I am in a new world. As Monty Python used to say, "And now for something completely different." Smalltown is near a large Texas city and a world away at the same time. I live in a house so old that in order to run this computer, I had to put a three-prong adapter into the two-prong wall outlet in order to plug in my surge protector! The cord runs into the bathroom next door which actually has a three prong outlet. What a setup! No worries. The electrician is coming Thursday to take care of that and some other electrical issues around here. The A/C person is coming to put in a 13 or higher SEER A/C instead of the 10 SEER outdated unit that can’t keep up with cooling the house in triple digit humid summer in the tropics. I’ve learned a lot about home improvement in the last few days, including SEER ratings on A/C units. Not my usual field of knowledge. I’m homesick for Austin, yes, but after my first Sunday and first sermon, the people are rallying around to fix everything in the house that needs it. They got somewhat behind on maintenance but are playing catch-up very fast and I appreciate that.Many people have said they’re excited to have me here, and I'm getting excited too. One very elderly man held onto me Sunday after church and actually wept and told me he was fighting cancer, that he’d “seen everything”, usually didn’t feel well, but was determined to keep going for as long as he could. He’s a retired electrician. I am surrounded by people with practical skills which is great. Frees up time for me to do the pastor thing I’m here to do. Plus, my talents in A/C repair, small appliance fixits, welding, and electricity aren’t my strong points. I see a few burned out houses, and also a brand new library and a beautiful pediatric medical office built with a giant train in front. Easier to picture than describe, so maybe I’ll put a picture of it in my blog. Hope and despair are juxtaposed side by side here. I pray that I can live by embodying hope and transmit that hope to the Smalltown congregation, even though I'm very lonely and homesick right now.