Church service at Ye Shall Know the Truth Baptist Church
– Reverend Clinton Pettway
Picnic with Mary Lee Bendolph and the folks of Gee’s Bend.
Visit with Charlie Lucas
Retire to 1412 Water Avenue
Breaking down the walls of separation, two communities came together and sang one song. We sang, clapped, cheered, and prayed like we had done it for 100 years.
-Ellie
The service at Ye Shall Know The Truth Baptist Church was beautiful. I really felt the small-town love and history there. I even could feel the Hilltop Middle School’s history there which, though I know that so many other classes have visited Brown Chapel, Kelly Ingram Park, etc., we belonged there.
-Hazel
The picnic was so nice. Being able to go from not knowing anything about each other and no way alike in living to friends in one afternoon is great. It was a nice day to play, chill, and talk and be ourselves. But what you also have to realize, they don’t have it good like us. Although I didn’t play basketball, it seemed like a great way to connect all together. It made me feel a little of what it is like to live in Alabama.
-Owen
At the picnic, all the kids our age and younger were kind, too. It really makes me think of how different our cultures are. I started having a really nice conversation with one of them and they are all just normal kids like us but they all seemed a bit nicer.
-Oliver
I have been to church services before but nothing like this. I was just so amazed how they were so free form and interested in what we wrote and wanted to take the time to listen to us. How all of them hugged us, even though they didn’t know us. I felt really welcomed and comforted. I have never had someone just come up and hug me and say “God Bless.” I felt love that I have never felt before. It was magical.
-Rosalie
I remember a kindness that radiated off of the people. It made me smile. Not an ordinary smile but a smile that was so big, my face couldn’t hold it.
-Annelise
When Kayla, one of the girls closer to our age, was pulling us around and talking about boys, and I was playing “McDonalds” with Lauren, a four year old, I felt race melt away a little bit. She asked me if I wanted to be friends and she was a loud, cute little lady. I hope all those kids grow up to be what they aspire to be.
-Aleksa
Going to Charlie’s was THE BEST THING THAT I’VE DONE IN SO LONG. It’s like my dreams in a shop and a man, to have 10 cars, all fast and exotic, is the best thing I could do. I would LOVE to come down here for the summer and fix up one of those cars. I can’t imagine anything that could top that experience.
-David
Ready for Church 
We share songs 
Ye Shall Know the Truth Baptist Church 
Aleksa give her speech for the congregation 
Ally gives her speech for the congregation 
Ilona gives her speech 
Julian shares his speech with folks fro Gee’s Bend 
Marion is called to sing her song – twice 
Ianreally finds his voice while sharing his song with the congregation 
Reverend Pettway 
Francis Pettway gives the sermon 
Silly hungry 
Old friends 
Reunited with Mary Lee Bendolph 
Playing 
Down by the river 
Ben shares his speech 
James give real voice to his fine speech 
Powerful words down by the river 
Elli gives her speech 
Ava recites her poem with clarity and voice 
Ian build strength as he gives his speech 
Quilting with Stella Pettway 
A new kind of bug 
Then to the Alabama River for a picnic 
Mary Lee scores some Vermont Gold 
Dinner by the Greers 
We meet Charlie Lucas 
He shares his work 
Charlie shares his positive belief in creativity 
A box of heaven – maker’s trash 
Questions asked -stories told 
Making 
Car buddies 
What a night