Everything IS Spiritual

I spent the last two weeks in Joppa, IL. I was doing interviews for hourly positions in the new plant Lafarge is building there. I should say "proposed" new plant because there has been some concern because of the economy, that the plant won't even be built. It seemed silly to do interviews if there is a chance the plant won't be build however, promises were made that interviews would be done by the end of April so there I was. I guess that would be the first spiritual thing - I really needed the work having previously only worked two days this year. The photo here is of the bridge that crosses the Mississippi river at Cape Girardeau.

I decided to drive rather than fly in order to get a little extra income. Also, some of my mileage money is designated for special giving needs other than our regular giving. It is 400 miles each way and I drove there and back twice. So second spiritual aspect of this trip - raised about $800 to fulfill a giving commitment.

The trips were great. I usually have a lot of trouble staying awake while I'm driving, especially when I'm alone. I listened to podcasts of "The God Journey", some great Christian music and re-listened to a book called, "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore". Staying awake was an answer to prayer and the things I listened to where very spiritually uplifting. The photos are of the old Joppa plant.

The plan was to interview 62 people from the exiting plant who had applied for hourly positions in the new plant. In an attempt to be more objective, or at least to give the appearance of being objective, Lafarge said they would have a representative from the West Kentucky Technical College (WKTC) involved in the interviews along with a third party representative of the cement industry. I'm the third party and the WKTC representative was a gentleman named John McKee. Another spiriutal aspect, it turns out that John is a believer and we have had wonderful discussions between interviews and over lunch. Also, many of the interviewees are believers; active in their churches, going on mission trips, leading youth ministries, etc.

At the end of my day I tried to find a place to read and just spend time journaling. I found a very nice park near my hotel. I've been reading a book by Thomas Merton called, "No Man Is An Island". Merton was a catholic priest who lived most of his life in an Abbey. One day I met a guy who was running his dog in the park. We started talking and he asked what I was reading. I told him it was Thomas Merton and he said that Merton lived just on the other side of the Ohio river from where we were sitting. We talked about spiritual things for some time and I found out he was an architect and had built this unusual glass tower-like home that I passed everyday on the way to the plant.

It was about one of the most spiritual business trips I've every had. I'm going back on Sunday for a few more days. This time I'll fly. I'm praying God makes it another good trip.