Eastview, Kentucky (1961 - 1965)
Eastview Wesleyan Church as it looks in 2014.
In 1961 we returned to the Kentucky District, taking a country charge, Eastview, in Hardin County. We both grew up in the country and were really looking forward to a more quiet relaxing life style; besides, we would be closer to our families. We both were happy as we traveled with the moving truck behind us. We passed the Baptist Church surrounded by a large cemetery and, according to instructions, turned at the first driveway on the left. There stood the very modest little parsonage. No one was in sight so we got out and went to the porch and found the door unlocked and walked in. Everything was spic and span clean. We found five rooms, no bath, and no running water. We walked back to the porch and saw a young teenager coming on a bike. Taking it for granted we were the new pastors, with no preliminaries he announced, “We bought you a new well rope and made new steps.” We had not investigated about our water supply, but the porch steps spoke for themselves. The runner on both sides and the steps were bright and clean, made of new boards. We expressed our appreciation. By now our furniture had arrived and the pastor had ample help unloading the heavy pieces, being placed as I directed. It seemed as easy a move as we ever had. The former pastor, who had been there for several years, and felt that it was time to make a change, had planted a big garden and carefully cultivated it for the incoming pastor. There was a large pasture field with a barn. We almost felt like two newlyweds. I said to Bro. Bolender, “Now we can have a cow.”
Some of the church people had been very concerned as to how the city pastor and his wife would adjust to the practically primitive life style we were required to adopt. They were soon relieved of their anxieties as we quickly fell in line with our country members and neighbors. You may wonder, yes, we soon had a Guernsey cow and a calf, and bought another calf. So the pasture, barn, and pond were in use. Soon the enthused “oldsters” received gifts of chicks and ducks, and a puppy. We made use of the well rope. This was not altogether new to me for in my childhood I had learned to let a bucket down by a rope until I felt the rope slack when it reached the water. Usually a piece of iron was attached to one side of the well bucket to cause it to sink, then hand over hand the water was pulled to the top. I had not done this for a long time but it soon came handy again. We did not like the taste of the water very well and were not sure of the purity of the water so we acquired some gallon containers and hauled our drinking water, using the well water otherwise. But we really had not come to Eastview as farmers, we were adjusting and surveying the field of labor.
We found a well churched community. There were two Cumberland Presbyterian churches, one Baptist, and one Methodist quite near us. The churches were all friendly. Many times they would dismiss Sunday night service to attend a revival in the other church. We had never pastored a church where the community blended in such a friendly religious attitude and yet there was a well understood difference. So far as I know the work was started by a lay minister by the name of James Goodman who built a tabernacle on his property and had holiness preachers conduct revivals. Uncle Jimmy, as he was generally called, and his wife were truly old fashioned holiness people, believed in plain dress, no jewelry, women did not cut their hair, etc. They did not believe in having doctors, but in absolute divine healing. They did not believe in secret orders or in the use of tobacco in any form or in growing it. Uncle Jimmy was very frank in preaching along these lines and also sanctification as a second definite work of grace. While some ridiculed him, the Goodman’s lead such exemplary lives they demanded the respect of the community. Several people were led into the experience of holiness and a church was built to take the place of the tabernacle. Uncle Jimmy and his wife sold their farm and moved to Clarkson where they attended the Nazarene Church. The church was organized Pilgrim Holiness and for some time it was rather under the Elizabethtown Church. Then they got a pastor. Rev. Jarboe had been there several years before we were called.
The potential was not too encouraging, but we felt the field was wide open for home visitation and we were welcomed into homes regardless of church affiliation. We soon had a Home department in the S.S. among the sick and shut-ins. I organized a W.M.S. I was elected Sunday School teacher of the Young People’s class. Sister Jarboe, the former pastor’s wife was more talented in ways than I was, but she had four children and one, because of birth injury, had always required the care of a small baby. It was very touching to see the love and care this totally helpless child received from the whole family. I began to try to build the class, having monthly class meetings. These were all new activities and created new interest.
Fall and Spring were community revival times. All churches tried to cooperate so none would conflict and each could be free to visit other revivals. All these churches were strictly fundamental and used the altar, but we alone believed in second blessing holiness. But we attended their revivals and Christians from any church were welcome to pray with seekers at any revival. This was a beautiful community spirit but it was a known fact that the Pilgrim Holiness Church did not receive members who belonged to secret orders or that used or raised tobacco. We were definitely in the minority except one church that had less in attendance. We had some outstanding cottage meetings, sometimes with altar services. We had some beautiful conversions, especially among the children and young people, and there is some fruit that remains.
We certainly enjoyed being near our grandchildren again. We visited them often and they came to see us. The twins, who were about 10, would come and visit during vacation. One of our little Sunday School girls, who had been beautifully saved, came and visited with them sometimes, staying two or three days. All three girls are now mothers and seldom does Elain see the twins. But Elain and her mother have never forgotten us and recently visited us.
Another home that was visited each week, the husband had to be taken to a nursing home. Bro. Bolender continued his Sunday School ministry individually to him in the nursing home. Soon others came in the room or crowded around the door. This led to assembling in the lobby. That started seventeen years of nursing home services that proved a blessing to many lonely hearts.
In less than a year after we went to Eastview our son closed out his furniture business and moved to Lexington, Ky. This was a disappointment to us.
There was such a community atmosphere all around us that it was perfectly normal to visit in homes, read the scripture and pray. This opened the door to many hearts.
One special time of sorrow was shared by the community when little Mary Jarboe passed away. Most of Mary’s life had been spent in the Eastview parsonage. She was brought back for her funeral which Bro. Bolender preached and she was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church property awaiting the glorious resurrection morning. What an example the parents had been of the loving compassionate Christ through the over twelve years that they had truly loved and cared for this absolutely helpless child. God has beautifully rewarded these parents. They now have four God honoring children. The two daughters with their husbands have committed their lives to carrying the gospel to South Africa. The oldest son holds a good position and the younger is an M.D.
My mind now contrasts this beautiful family with millions of Americans who purposely snuff out the life of utterly helpless unborn babies. Why? Because of a self-centered life; and I dare to say over half of the abortions are backed by acts of immorality in direct defiance to the laws of God. I can no more think these murders shall go unpunished than I can think Hitler, Mussolini, or communistic Russia will go unpunished. These people pass themselves as respectable, yes, many as Christians. Thank God there is deliverance for every sin if it is truly repented of with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
From this account and many remembrances, Eastview might seem like a perfect peaceful pastorate, but we encountered problems there as well as elsewhere. One was a painful experience. It called for prayer, compassionate love, and divine wisdom to cope with the devastating situation, but thanks be unto God, the victory was won. A home had been saved in our ministry at the close of our first year. A few weeks before the annual church business meeting we were on one of our Home Department Sunday School calls when I said, “What about taking Aunt Josie along for the ride?” Aunt Josie was an elderly widow in the neighborhood who had no means of transportation. We were soon on our way. Aunt Josie seemed so happy knowing that our call would require climbing some steep steps. She suggested that we leave her with some friends for she had not visited them for a long time. As we drove up to the home of one of our members we were very surprised to see quite a line of cars in front, but we stopped in front and went with Aunt Josie to the door. We were invited in. Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be occurring. We only stayed a few minutes, telling Aunt Josie that we would stop for her as we returned. After our scripture reading, fellowship and prayer with the two widows, we returned to find the visitors’ cars gone again. We went into the house and spent a few minutes. These were faithful members and we had always been welcome, but something mysterious pervaded the atmosphere. We asked no questions and made no comments to Aunt Josie, but we wondered why we invited her on that particular afternoon to go with us. Why did she ask to be taken to that home? Why were the cars of so many of our church members there? Why did we not see them? We felt clearly that the Lord who knows every secret thought had timed everything that day and that being so, we should leave everything completely in His hands. In a few days the District Superintendent came for the annual business meeting. Most of the members were present, but no outsiders except perhaps some members of church families. Service went as usual until time came for the pastor’s recall. Some of us, along with the Superintendent, were in for a surprise. As the ballots were read, we kept hearing “No, No….” with very few yeses. There needed no announcement to decide how the election went. As I now reflect after 22 years, my husband asked no questions or made any comments.
The Superintendent called the board for a meeting in a Sunday School room. After that we adjourned and returned to the parsonage. The Superintendent informed us that he was given no reasons for their decision, and when he asked them what they had in mind, one member said that the Lord would take care of that. He explained that our Discipline stated how pastors are called and he must abide by those rules. But there was a stalemate, so he dismissed the meeting. We had our evening devotions. Our Superintendent prayed that God would work things out. We felt that God would work things out, that he had planned and timed our arriving at the home where the secret meeting was held, and that he did not need our help in this situation.
The next morning Bro. Bolender went out to the barn early. When he returned he told me, “I don’t feel like we are leaving.” The next Sunday services progressed as usual. Later Bro. Bolender had a message from our District Superintendent asking if he would agree to consider continuing as pastor if the District Council should appoint him. He answered in the affirmative. So the church was notified that, as the board failed in any plans toward securing a pastor, it became the obligation of the District Council to appoint one. They had appointed Rev. H. H. Bolender. Little if anything was said, but we did lose one member and his wife, for which we were sorry, but our conscience was clear. We never had any explanation of the secret meeting nor did we want one, but we did learn that at least two of our board members were not invited. How true it is; if we want to fight our own battles or insist on “helping” God fight them, we will suffer the consequences, but if we keep self out of the way, He will fight our battles. All this created very little stir and, so far as we could tell, it did not go into the community to become gossip. We had a good year, and when the next annual Pastoral call came, Bro. Bolender received a strong recall for this third year of service. We deeply appreciated this and continued reaching out in personal evangelism. While we had people saved at our regular services and during revivals, Eastview stands high as a pastorate of home ministries among both the unsaved and Christians. We had people in to enjoy meals with us, but we shared more meals with them. Our enthusiasm over their freedom and beauty of country life never diminished.
As I said before, we purchased a Guernsey cow. In a few months we were as happy as two children when a nice calf arrived. This inspired Bro. Bolender to go to stock sales and purchase a calf when one sold within his price range. When they were old enough he shipped them to the big stock market in Louisville. I entered his interests. We got a glass churn. I made butter, molded it in his mother’s butter mold and even out there in the country there was a ready market for the beautifully molded golden butter. We also had the grandchildren with us a lot during vacations and preschoolers at other seasons. I was then the only grandmother, for our son-in-law’s mother had passed away in the spring of 1960 and our daughter-in-law’s mother in November the same year. Both had been like sisters to me and this was certainly a great personal loss. With it came a sense of double responsibility in the role of being a grandmother.
My most valued ministries of the four years of Eastview were our Home community work and my Sunday School class. We had really good participation in class work then, although I was in my early 60s. We enjoyed long hikes through fields and wood, climbing fences and crossing ravines. In spirit I felt as young as they were. We planned an old fashioned cookout. Two of the girls chose the spot. It was by tradition an old Indian dwelling. A massive layer of limestone rock formed a roof far above an open cave-like surface about 75 by 30 feet. The open front ended with a drop to a ravine below. The only entrance was a path around the hillside. Some of the older young men had gone earlier to build the fire. I sent some boys to bring pans of clay from a clay bank nearby. When the fire had burned down I wrapped the well-seasoned whole dressed hens in foil, then covered them thickly with clay, laid them in a bed of coals covered with a thin covering of ashes. We covered them with a lot of hot coals. Some of the girls went hunting wild flowers. Boys scouted the ravine below while some stayed with me to watch the campfire. As we removed the ashes and coals from the chicken one boy said, “I bet it is tough.” I told them that if it is tough I will give you a fried chicken supper and furnish everything. None of the class had even heard of a chicken roast like that, so all were gathered around watching. First we cracked and removed the clay, then lifted the wrapped chicken into roasting pans. As I removed the foil the delicious aroma filled the air. I could hear oh’s and ah’s while others sniffed the fragrant smells. Papers and table cloths spread on the ground served as a table. Buns, pickles, and other prepared foods were put on the table. All stood with bowed heads as the pastor prayed. Each one brought their plate and I served the chicken, having to be very careful, for the meat left the bones easily. All ate until no one felt like playing games. We relaxed awhile. To lessen the load on our return trip, we emptied the ice cold lemonade containers and we sure did not pour it on the ground. The boys made sure that the fire was all out. The girls helped me pack things in boxes and bags and all shared in carrying things the quarter of a mile back to our parked cars.
Perhaps someone may want to try an old fashioned cook out with your family or group. I will offer a few suggestions. Be sure to salt and season the chicken properly. Stuffing with dressing is fine. Be absolutely certain you have clay; do not try ordinary soil to cover your chicken. Sweet or Irish potatoes wrapped with foil bake beautifully in the ashes and hot coals.
Two summers, the Sunday School superintendent and his wife assisted us in taking the class on sight-seeing trips. Every member had equal opportunity, but requirements were met such as perfect attendance, studied lessons, etc. The class members sold products each time to raise money for expenses. I arranged for lodging places for the two nights. We took three days and two nights for each trip. We did not see the spiritual results we longed for, but we did see some of the group seek the Lord and our efforts brought a closer relationship between us and the young people, and also with nearly all their parents. Several were from unsaved homes.
Some of the church people had been very concerned as to how the city pastor and his wife would adjust to the practically primitive life style we were required to adopt. They were soon relieved of their anxieties as we quickly fell in line with our country members and neighbors. You may wonder, yes, we soon had a Guernsey cow and a calf, and bought another calf. So the pasture, barn, and pond were in use. Soon the enthused “oldsters” received gifts of chicks and ducks, and a puppy. We made use of the well rope. This was not altogether new to me for in my childhood I had learned to let a bucket down by a rope until I felt the rope slack when it reached the water. Usually a piece of iron was attached to one side of the well bucket to cause it to sink, then hand over hand the water was pulled to the top. I had not done this for a long time but it soon came handy again. We did not like the taste of the water very well and were not sure of the purity of the water so we acquired some gallon containers and hauled our drinking water, using the well water otherwise. But we really had not come to Eastview as farmers, we were adjusting and surveying the field of labor.
We found a well churched community. There were two Cumberland Presbyterian churches, one Baptist, and one Methodist quite near us. The churches were all friendly. Many times they would dismiss Sunday night service to attend a revival in the other church. We had never pastored a church where the community blended in such a friendly religious attitude and yet there was a well understood difference. So far as I know the work was started by a lay minister by the name of James Goodman who built a tabernacle on his property and had holiness preachers conduct revivals. Uncle Jimmy, as he was generally called, and his wife were truly old fashioned holiness people, believed in plain dress, no jewelry, women did not cut their hair, etc. They did not believe in having doctors, but in absolute divine healing. They did not believe in secret orders or in the use of tobacco in any form or in growing it. Uncle Jimmy was very frank in preaching along these lines and also sanctification as a second definite work of grace. While some ridiculed him, the Goodman’s lead such exemplary lives they demanded the respect of the community. Several people were led into the experience of holiness and a church was built to take the place of the tabernacle. Uncle Jimmy and his wife sold their farm and moved to Clarkson where they attended the Nazarene Church. The church was organized Pilgrim Holiness and for some time it was rather under the Elizabethtown Church. Then they got a pastor. Rev. Jarboe had been there several years before we were called.
The potential was not too encouraging, but we felt the field was wide open for home visitation and we were welcomed into homes regardless of church affiliation. We soon had a Home department in the S.S. among the sick and shut-ins. I organized a W.M.S. I was elected Sunday School teacher of the Young People’s class. Sister Jarboe, the former pastor’s wife was more talented in ways than I was, but she had four children and one, because of birth injury, had always required the care of a small baby. It was very touching to see the love and care this totally helpless child received from the whole family. I began to try to build the class, having monthly class meetings. These were all new activities and created new interest.
Fall and Spring were community revival times. All churches tried to cooperate so none would conflict and each could be free to visit other revivals. All these churches were strictly fundamental and used the altar, but we alone believed in second blessing holiness. But we attended their revivals and Christians from any church were welcome to pray with seekers at any revival. This was a beautiful community spirit but it was a known fact that the Pilgrim Holiness Church did not receive members who belonged to secret orders or that used or raised tobacco. We were definitely in the minority except one church that had less in attendance. We had some outstanding cottage meetings, sometimes with altar services. We had some beautiful conversions, especially among the children and young people, and there is some fruit that remains.
We certainly enjoyed being near our grandchildren again. We visited them often and they came to see us. The twins, who were about 10, would come and visit during vacation. One of our little Sunday School girls, who had been beautifully saved, came and visited with them sometimes, staying two or three days. All three girls are now mothers and seldom does Elain see the twins. But Elain and her mother have never forgotten us and recently visited us.
Another home that was visited each week, the husband had to be taken to a nursing home. Bro. Bolender continued his Sunday School ministry individually to him in the nursing home. Soon others came in the room or crowded around the door. This led to assembling in the lobby. That started seventeen years of nursing home services that proved a blessing to many lonely hearts.
In less than a year after we went to Eastview our son closed out his furniture business and moved to Lexington, Ky. This was a disappointment to us.
There was such a community atmosphere all around us that it was perfectly normal to visit in homes, read the scripture and pray. This opened the door to many hearts.
One special time of sorrow was shared by the community when little Mary Jarboe passed away. Most of Mary’s life had been spent in the Eastview parsonage. She was brought back for her funeral which Bro. Bolender preached and she was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church property awaiting the glorious resurrection morning. What an example the parents had been of the loving compassionate Christ through the over twelve years that they had truly loved and cared for this absolutely helpless child. God has beautifully rewarded these parents. They now have four God honoring children. The two daughters with their husbands have committed their lives to carrying the gospel to South Africa. The oldest son holds a good position and the younger is an M.D.
My mind now contrasts this beautiful family with millions of Americans who purposely snuff out the life of utterly helpless unborn babies. Why? Because of a self-centered life; and I dare to say over half of the abortions are backed by acts of immorality in direct defiance to the laws of God. I can no more think these murders shall go unpunished than I can think Hitler, Mussolini, or communistic Russia will go unpunished. These people pass themselves as respectable, yes, many as Christians. Thank God there is deliverance for every sin if it is truly repented of with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
From this account and many remembrances, Eastview might seem like a perfect peaceful pastorate, but we encountered problems there as well as elsewhere. One was a painful experience. It called for prayer, compassionate love, and divine wisdom to cope with the devastating situation, but thanks be unto God, the victory was won. A home had been saved in our ministry at the close of our first year. A few weeks before the annual church business meeting we were on one of our Home Department Sunday School calls when I said, “What about taking Aunt Josie along for the ride?” Aunt Josie was an elderly widow in the neighborhood who had no means of transportation. We were soon on our way. Aunt Josie seemed so happy knowing that our call would require climbing some steep steps. She suggested that we leave her with some friends for she had not visited them for a long time. As we drove up to the home of one of our members we were very surprised to see quite a line of cars in front, but we stopped in front and went with Aunt Josie to the door. We were invited in. Nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be occurring. We only stayed a few minutes, telling Aunt Josie that we would stop for her as we returned. After our scripture reading, fellowship and prayer with the two widows, we returned to find the visitors’ cars gone again. We went into the house and spent a few minutes. These were faithful members and we had always been welcome, but something mysterious pervaded the atmosphere. We asked no questions and made no comments to Aunt Josie, but we wondered why we invited her on that particular afternoon to go with us. Why did she ask to be taken to that home? Why were the cars of so many of our church members there? Why did we not see them? We felt clearly that the Lord who knows every secret thought had timed everything that day and that being so, we should leave everything completely in His hands. In a few days the District Superintendent came for the annual business meeting. Most of the members were present, but no outsiders except perhaps some members of church families. Service went as usual until time came for the pastor’s recall. Some of us, along with the Superintendent, were in for a surprise. As the ballots were read, we kept hearing “No, No….” with very few yeses. There needed no announcement to decide how the election went. As I now reflect after 22 years, my husband asked no questions or made any comments.
The Superintendent called the board for a meeting in a Sunday School room. After that we adjourned and returned to the parsonage. The Superintendent informed us that he was given no reasons for their decision, and when he asked them what they had in mind, one member said that the Lord would take care of that. He explained that our Discipline stated how pastors are called and he must abide by those rules. But there was a stalemate, so he dismissed the meeting. We had our evening devotions. Our Superintendent prayed that God would work things out. We felt that God would work things out, that he had planned and timed our arriving at the home where the secret meeting was held, and that he did not need our help in this situation.
The next morning Bro. Bolender went out to the barn early. When he returned he told me, “I don’t feel like we are leaving.” The next Sunday services progressed as usual. Later Bro. Bolender had a message from our District Superintendent asking if he would agree to consider continuing as pastor if the District Council should appoint him. He answered in the affirmative. So the church was notified that, as the board failed in any plans toward securing a pastor, it became the obligation of the District Council to appoint one. They had appointed Rev. H. H. Bolender. Little if anything was said, but we did lose one member and his wife, for which we were sorry, but our conscience was clear. We never had any explanation of the secret meeting nor did we want one, but we did learn that at least two of our board members were not invited. How true it is; if we want to fight our own battles or insist on “helping” God fight them, we will suffer the consequences, but if we keep self out of the way, He will fight our battles. All this created very little stir and, so far as we could tell, it did not go into the community to become gossip. We had a good year, and when the next annual Pastoral call came, Bro. Bolender received a strong recall for this third year of service. We deeply appreciated this and continued reaching out in personal evangelism. While we had people saved at our regular services and during revivals, Eastview stands high as a pastorate of home ministries among both the unsaved and Christians. We had people in to enjoy meals with us, but we shared more meals with them. Our enthusiasm over their freedom and beauty of country life never diminished.
As I said before, we purchased a Guernsey cow. In a few months we were as happy as two children when a nice calf arrived. This inspired Bro. Bolender to go to stock sales and purchase a calf when one sold within his price range. When they were old enough he shipped them to the big stock market in Louisville. I entered his interests. We got a glass churn. I made butter, molded it in his mother’s butter mold and even out there in the country there was a ready market for the beautifully molded golden butter. We also had the grandchildren with us a lot during vacations and preschoolers at other seasons. I was then the only grandmother, for our son-in-law’s mother had passed away in the spring of 1960 and our daughter-in-law’s mother in November the same year. Both had been like sisters to me and this was certainly a great personal loss. With it came a sense of double responsibility in the role of being a grandmother.
My most valued ministries of the four years of Eastview were our Home community work and my Sunday School class. We had really good participation in class work then, although I was in my early 60s. We enjoyed long hikes through fields and wood, climbing fences and crossing ravines. In spirit I felt as young as they were. We planned an old fashioned cookout. Two of the girls chose the spot. It was by tradition an old Indian dwelling. A massive layer of limestone rock formed a roof far above an open cave-like surface about 75 by 30 feet. The open front ended with a drop to a ravine below. The only entrance was a path around the hillside. Some of the older young men had gone earlier to build the fire. I sent some boys to bring pans of clay from a clay bank nearby. When the fire had burned down I wrapped the well-seasoned whole dressed hens in foil, then covered them thickly with clay, laid them in a bed of coals covered with a thin covering of ashes. We covered them with a lot of hot coals. Some of the girls went hunting wild flowers. Boys scouted the ravine below while some stayed with me to watch the campfire. As we removed the ashes and coals from the chicken one boy said, “I bet it is tough.” I told them that if it is tough I will give you a fried chicken supper and furnish everything. None of the class had even heard of a chicken roast like that, so all were gathered around watching. First we cracked and removed the clay, then lifted the wrapped chicken into roasting pans. As I removed the foil the delicious aroma filled the air. I could hear oh’s and ah’s while others sniffed the fragrant smells. Papers and table cloths spread on the ground served as a table. Buns, pickles, and other prepared foods were put on the table. All stood with bowed heads as the pastor prayed. Each one brought their plate and I served the chicken, having to be very careful, for the meat left the bones easily. All ate until no one felt like playing games. We relaxed awhile. To lessen the load on our return trip, we emptied the ice cold lemonade containers and we sure did not pour it on the ground. The boys made sure that the fire was all out. The girls helped me pack things in boxes and bags and all shared in carrying things the quarter of a mile back to our parked cars.
Perhaps someone may want to try an old fashioned cook out with your family or group. I will offer a few suggestions. Be sure to salt and season the chicken properly. Stuffing with dressing is fine. Be absolutely certain you have clay; do not try ordinary soil to cover your chicken. Sweet or Irish potatoes wrapped with foil bake beautifully in the ashes and hot coals.
Two summers, the Sunday School superintendent and his wife assisted us in taking the class on sight-seeing trips. Every member had equal opportunity, but requirements were met such as perfect attendance, studied lessons, etc. The class members sold products each time to raise money for expenses. I arranged for lodging places for the two nights. We took three days and two nights for each trip. We did not see the spiritual results we longed for, but we did see some of the group seek the Lord and our efforts brought a closer relationship between us and the young people, and also with nearly all their parents. Several were from unsaved homes.
