It’s Not About the Turkey

Halloween has come and gone and although the stores and many of our friends might tell us otherwise, there IS another holiday that appears on the calendar before Christmas. Thanksgiving might not be high on the favorites list for most people. There aren’t gifts involved as there generally would be with birthdays, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, or Christmas. It always falls on the fourth Thursday in November which means many must go back to work on Friday. It just seems to be the kid sitting by himself at lunch.

My opinion of Thanksgiving is vastly different. As a matter of fact, it’s probably at the very top of my list. Some of you know about Grundy Mountain Mission School and my passion for their story. For those of you that don’t know, let me explain.

In 1888, ten-year-old Sam Hurley was alone on a mountain in a cave in Appalachia. He feared for his life and cried out to God to save him. Sam survived that night and found himself many years later a successful businessman (despite never attending school). Sam married Jane Looney and together they had seven children. However, Grundy, VA is a mining community, and the Hurleys took in nine additional children who were without parents.

Ultimately, in 1921, Sam and Jane Hurley founded Grundy Academy which then became Mountain Mission School. Through an incredible series of events and mutual friends, Rush County, Indiana became personally connected to MMS sometime in the 1940’s and the rest is history.

As a little girl I remember first learning about MMS and the donations that our church gave each year. It seemed so unbelievable to me that there needed to be a place for children to live and be safe because they didn’t have parents. That concept just seemed so foreign to me.

My dad was integral in putting together a group of young men from Rush County to travel to Grundy and play in a basketball game against the MMS boys. At some point, the MMS boys developed into a rather competitive team and the game turned into an annual competition against MMS alumni.

The first time I remember traveling to MMS is etched in my mind. We left around 3 am as I recall. A stop at Mr. Freshies for donuts before we left town was required. The drive seemed to never end. The final stretch of the journey is especially grueling as you wind, twist, and turn in the mountains (with no guardrails in sight).

Many of the traditions over the years have changed. But many will likely always be a part of our trip. There are ice cream sundaes and apple cider. There’s popcorn and cotton candy. There are basketball games and soccer games to watch. Trucks and trailers to unload. And the choir always sings after lunch on Thanksgiving Day. We try to spoil the graduating seniors a little bit by hosting a senior party and getting out the Christmas decorations. Lots of homemade cookies, pies, and a variety of other yummy foods are for grazing late into the night.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to call many of these amazing people my friends. Cesar Navas, Josh and Wandy Beery, Yodit Kifle Smith, Amina Kiki, Nathan Rodda, Bill and Cindy Rodda, Ernie and Patti Hertzog, Carrie Ramos Natera and so many others. Whether they were students, faculty, or students that came back to work as faculty, they hold a special place in my life. Investing in the lives (and eternity) of others is of utmost importance; loving with the heart of Jesus.

This year Kenny and I will again travel to Grundy for Thanksgiving. We believe in the mission and vision of the school. If you’re interested in helping us out, please let me know. Our list is long and the list of people going with us this year is short. Whether you’d like to shop for specific items or donate money, we certainly appreciate all of it.

For me, Thanksgiving and MMS are a beautiful opportunity to shine the spotlight on Jesus. It’s a wonderful segue to Christmas. What an honor!

Mountain Mission School | Mountain Mission School – Grundy, VA