SWANANOA, NC.  This past Sunday night (July 16th), we attended for the third year now, the Michael Card concert at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.  The evening began with a great supper (their food, service, grounds, accommodations, etc. are always outstanding), followed by the concert.  Michael's genuinely friendly personality comes through his music and comments, just as it does in his teaching.

Monday through Friday noon was his teaching series on the book of John.  His teaching method is unique in that it delves into the history and irony of events and interrelationships of the personalities mentioned in scripture.

The Friday before the concert, Betty was stepping down from the platform at the back of the bedroom, and twisted her ankle, resulting in a break of the fibula down at the ankle.  She was in great pain, so we went to urgent care in two places, resulting finally in a boot to wear along with crutches.  Her pain medication (Tramadol) has unsettling side effects.  The people at The Cove were very helpful, providing a wheelchair for her and allowing her to go to the front of the meal lines, with assistance getting food from the buffet.  I also benefitted by having the same access to the front of the line.  Betty was very pleased and impressed with how many of the ladies at the Cove were eager to help her get around, as Betty said, "to push her around."

Entrance to The Cove

Closeup of Cove Entrance

The first floor of the Cove building has the bookstore and conference rooms.  The second floor (ground floor) is the teaching lecture hall and cafeteria, with numerous support areas.  The third (top) floor has rest areas, a business area with computers and printers, numerous very impressive conference rooms and auditorium, etc.  In the main area where the elevators open, there is a needlepoint of Billy Graham done by someone in Hong Kong back during the Hong Kong Crusade (1975).  A very impressive work lovingly done back when Hong Kong was free of Chinese communist rule.

Needlepoint Portrait by Timothy Yu

Third Floor Prayer Room

Closeup of Prayer Room Kneeler

View Out Window

One afternoon was reserved for book signing by Michael.

Group Photo at Book Signing

Michael Signing Betty's Book

Michael Shows Betty a Photo

Toward the end of the series, Michael displayed artifacts from his travels to Israel.  Some of these were also shown at last year's teaching series (please see section of last year's blog).  The item that impressed me most was a funnel from the time of Abraham.

Top View of Funnel

Side View of Funnel

Bottom View of Funnel

Prayer Shawl and Phylactery 

Today we are resting and catching up on things like updating the blog.  We need to do a week's worth of laundry soon.  Our time at the Cove was great but a bit disorienting.  Everything is done for you:  meal provision, cooking, serving, cleanup, etc.  There are free beverages all day, along with vanilla and chocolate frozen yogurt dispensers (all you can eat).  Places to sit and meet people, especially around the meal table.  Getting over there by 8 am was a challenge for us, especially since the last teaching lesson ends after 9 pm, then the drive back to the motorhome, helping Betty into the motorhome, preparing for the night's sleep (less than 8 hours), then back to the Cove.  But the worship and fellowship with people from all over the continent is wonderful.  Now to get back to "normal."