Dirk picks me before 5AM after goodbyes and hugs for Dr K and Beth, and we head to the Jackson airport. The good news is that Dirk runs the airport and we ‘fly’ through the formalities and then sit and chat waiting for the flight. He walks me out to the tarmac and we hug goodbye. So many good people everywhere.
It turns out the flight to Holland, Michigan is via Memphis, and after two flights I land in sunny Grand Rapids. The air is crisp; the temperature around 60 and Rick G takes me out to lunch at a local restaurant. The Tulip Fair begins May 1st but they are everywhere. He drives me around a small lake that sits in the middle of Holland and we look at beautiful houses along the waterfront. One of them is being built, belonging to Dick DeVos (of Amway fame) – see pic.
I am staying in an hotel on the campus of Hope College and I settle in, iron clothes for tonight and tomorrow and work on emails and other work related items.
I probably should have started this earlier, but I am going to sometimes rate hotels that I stay in. This is going to be a 15-point rating system. The first 5 points is for what I think is the most important thing in a hotel room, the shower. There is nothing better after flying all day then to step into a really good shower and wash away the travel grime. The second 5 points has to do with how clean, comfortable and inviting the room is. The third 5 points is for amenities, such as Internet, availability of outlets (a room with no outlets drives me crazy). You can add or subtract points for special things like breakfast, special features and surprises.
So tonight I am staying at the Haworth Inn on the Campus of Hope College. Without knowing what their continental breakfast is like, which could add or subtract a point or two, here is what we have.
Shower = 2. The water doesn’t smell nor is it oily (trust me, some places have greasy water, but the pressure is so poor you have to run around in the shower to get wet.
Comfort and cleanliness = 3.5 This is a nice hotel, the carpet is clean as is the room. It is roomy enough to move around easily and the Internet is free and fairly fast.
Amenities = 3 Third floor view is okay and there are barely enough outlets but I didn’t have to move furniture to find them.
If it wasn’t for the shower, this place would have done quite well 6.5 out of 10, but the shower is bad, so 8.5 out of 15.
The evening was sponsored by Holland Christian Schools and a lecture series called Living Stones, used as a benefit to raise funds to help pay for private school for families that simply cannot afford the tuition. Had a very special kiss of grace as relatives of Erin and Todd Barr came for the evening. If you remember Todd and Erin read The Shack a month before Todd was diagnosed with cancer and only a couple weeks ago walked through the thin place and into the embrace of Three. I had a number of conversations with both of them over the last months and was honored to be included in this journey. I had not actually met Erin or any of the family until tonight and it was very tender and sweet.
I signed a book tonight, “Grace sings your name…” and the woman began to cry. Grace is the name of her young granddaughter who drowned not long ago. Grace’s mom was also with her and we had a moment. I told you, “I hang around burning bushes all day.”
Tomorrow morning I speak at chapel for the Holland Christian High School, something that I am excited about. Then I catch flights that will get me to Nashville, TN. Goodnight. Thanks for coming along.