We split into groups and tackled various yard work tasks. Some of us planted flowers, including beautiful pansies, while others pulled weeds and transplanted an invasive species. Others tilled a garden and planted head lettuce, mustard greens, and Georgia collards. Owen even used a chainsaw to trim hedges! We made friends with a man named James who taught us how to use a tiller, how to use a garden hoe, and other wisdom from his 21 years of experience with Jerusalem house. He also loves mango juice!We finished ahead of schedule so after a quick lunch of PB&J’s and chips, we jumped at Sharon’s (the volunteer coordinator) offer to volunteer at their family site down the road. At the family site we met Ron who told us if we helped him rake and clean up the playground area it would put them 3 weeks ahead of schedule—wow! Ron, Owen, and Heather graced us with many leaf-related puns, such as “I be-leaf in you,” “leaf me alone,” and “I’m so re-leafed we finished.”
Next we visited the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic site, which included the King Birth Home, Fire Station No. 6, the King Center, and Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. We learned about the impact Dr. King, Coretta King, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rosa Parks had on civ
il rights, the personal lives of the Kings, and the history of the church—Ebenezer Baptist only had 5 pastors in ~120 years! We also happened to see a historical reenactment of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the only Dr. King impersonator sanctioned by the King Center. We saw Dr. and Mrs. King’s tomb and the eternal flame always lit to remember the continuing efforts to achieve equality in every generation.
Later on we showered at Emory for the last time and ate tasty soul food at "Who’s Got Soul?,” which we give a 10/10! Tonight we will continue our tradition of board games and going to bed way to late.
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