43 Steps

43 Steps. That's how many stair steps it is from the kitchen to our third floor bedroom--a great way to stay in shape! We arrived at Reservoir Hill House of Peace on Saturday, Nov. 4, and moved into one of the 10 bedrooms in the big old house. Little by little we are grasping the purpose and mission of those who live here and what our role in it is and will be. We will take part in a house meeting Monday evening and should know a bit more after that, as well. The house is administered by North Baltimore Mennonite Church which is about 3 miles from here. RHHP housed a Voluntary Service unit (which basically has closed), asylum seekers and individuals who work at various jobs in the city who wish to be part of the community here. Presently there is one VSer from Germany, three asylum seeker men and six other young adults besides us.

Sunday morning we attended the Mennonite church and met a lot of the people there. We also attended a small group gathering Tuesday evening and got to know some a bit more. (For those in NC, the church was begun in 1986 by Frank Nice, Keith's uncle. He is still fondly remembered by those who were here then.) The congregation now has many young families and singles. We will be attending services there and helping out with special events coming up over the holidays.

Our 'supervisor' is Joel Weaver who lives with his family about a mile from our house, but he comes by frequently. He has a list a mile long of things that can be done project-wise on the house itself to make it more livable. So Jim will have plenty to do. Since most of the house residents are working during the day, Ruth will help Jim out as much as possible. She also will work Mondays and Wednesdays at Asylee Women's Enterprises where she will interact with the women and children (and a few men) who come there for English classes, crafts, cooking together, job skills, exercise classes, etc. It looks like a good and compassionate place to be involved. We'd like to say more and post pictures, but because of the nature of their backgrounds, that won't be possible.

We have been getting to know the people who live here, as well as driving and walking around the neighborhood to get a feel for our surroundings. On our street things are fairly nice, though one block south and for the next mile or more that we walked, there are many boarded up row houses and trash-strewn streets. Yet we have felt safe and people have been respectful as we are out and about during the day.

Since Monday things have gotten very cold with heavy rain on Tuesday. We also have been battling coughs and cold symptoms. So we're praying that doesn't slow us down too much and that we feel better soon.

Lots of love
Jim and Ruth

Front of Reservoir Hill House of Peace

Our bedroom is on the 3rd floor left gable.

The dining area although we don't eat many meals together due to everyone's varied schedules.

The stairwell. There is also a back (servant) stairs we use more often.

the view across the street

from the parking area behind the house

Ruth babysitting Joel's daughter one morning while he was here. Jeana is such a dear little 22 month old.

Jim's first project was to prepare a stained glass window that they had made that will go above the front doorway.