October 28, 1982

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Click here to read Journal Entry Preface.
Click here for Glossary of Way Terms.
Click here to read previous journal entry: October 24.
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October 28, Thursday
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George Jess, “First Director of the Way Corps,” Shares

Trees
Growing plants are life.  We have an abundance so we can find out what will and what won’t grow.  Scotch Pine does well; Spruce Pine does not do well here.  The Scotch Pines planted this week were planted as seedlings by the 4th Corps.  We plant them for color.

Some trees were donated by a woman from some land that was once an archery. Another man donated 200 or 300 trees.

We plant trees for shade which can cool the ground as much as 15 degrees.

Sugar Maple doesn’t grow very fast here in Emporia; they are from Ohio.

When Mr. Jess moved to Headquarters in 1961, there were only about 7 trees.  He has planted about 100 or so trees each year.  Mr. Jess learned trees from his father.  It’s like English to him.

The Corps
Initially, Mr. Jess didn’t even know what the Way Corps was. “Corps” in French is a group of people for a specific purpose. Way Corps is “corps” for The Way.

Mr. Jess was in business during the first 3 years of the Way Corps. At that time the Corps was more of a work program.

It’s always been fantastic to Mr. Jess as to how much Doctor loves the Word. None of the Zero Corps lived on Headquarters grounds. Members of the Zero Corps supported themselves. After about 3 months the students began to wear out. So Doctor dropped it. None lived on grounds, and they should have lived on grounds with sponsors.

In the Zero Corps, one couple got married 6 weeks after they got there; that wasn’t right. In the 1st Corps, one volunteer left for marriage. I just can’t let outside interest interfere with my learning. In the 2nd Corps, two volunteers wanted marriage but didn’t get married. In the 3rd Corps, Doctor asked Mr. Jess to come on staff full time. I owe a lot to the Zero Corps; they were the pioneers.

Mr. Jess handled the administrative responsibility of the Corps through the 4th Corps. He’s received more than he has given. You can’t out give God, no matter how much you give.

Corps Weddings
They started in the woods at Headquarters. One wedding was at midnight.

(There is so much joy and tenderness in Mr. Jess’s life. So much depth.)
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Parent weekend begins tomorrow with 110 parents visiting us.

God,

It’s been a rough week. The accuser has been all over me. Then I talked to Mom and my brother tonight. Lord, cover for my stupidity. I place my heart, my life, my all into Your hands. Love me and provide my every need. I need You and come boldly to Your throne of grace to obtain mercy.

Jesus Christ has paid for me. I’ve committed my life; help me see it. God, help me see it.

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