We ate breakfast and loaded up in our two vans by 7:20 then headed for Reading. By 8:00, we arrived at Fairview Mennonite School and met the administrator, Arlan King. He was our guide and took us to the gym to hear the school practice for their Christmas program. The school has a strong singing culture, and we loved listening to the 150 students as they rehearsed.
Arlan led us on a tour throughout the four-story school building. From there, the men headed to the church where they hung insulation and organized the Fairview Church shop.
Meanwhile, the ladies scattered throughout the classrooms and helped tutor students where needed.
They served us delicious empinadas for lunch, then we went back to various jobs. The women cleaned bathrooms or helped with art classes until 3:00. School dismissed then, the men returned, and we met with Marcus Fox. He gave us a presentation of the church, school, and outreaches, and gave many stories of their experiences since his parents moved into the city 52 years ago.
Two men guided us up the mountain to the famous Reading landmark: the pagoda. We arrived just in time to see a perfect, beautiful sunset.
Back at The Welcoming Place, we made supper and enjoyed a relaxing evening catching up on journals and talking. The ladies even had time to make a quick trip to the MCC thrift store and Walmart before 9:00.
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