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Highway
Hospitality
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Travelers call it an oasis. Several major highways come together in Breezewood, Pennsylvania—and a cluster of service stations, motels and restaurants has grown up in the small town. But there’s another reason Breezewood is a welcome sight for those on the road. Reed Galin maps it out. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Breezewood, Pa.)
The Rev. Bruce Maxwell/Breezewood Trucker/Traveler Ministry: “It’s known
as the town of motels. And aside from gas and lodging and meals, there’s
lots of ways that the travelers are cared for.”
Every day, 40,000 vehicles pass this location where the Pennsylvania
turnpike and I -70 merge. Many of the truck drivers spend more days
behind the wheel than with their families.
Nat: “I’ll take the first leg of driving today.”
Driver Stephen Huff misses his young son. He’s thankful that United
Methodist chaplain Bruce Maxwell offers the Breezewood Trucker/Traveler
Ministry.
Stephen Huff/Truck Driver: “I’ve been feeling a little low here the last
few days, and I saw an opportunity to connect with people who could help
me.”
Nat/CB radio: “Skywalker, are you in today? Got your radio on?”
Maxwell also offers practical assistance, like a meal or gas or other
essentials for travelers who are stranded.
The Rev. Bruce Maxwell to man in hotel: “I brought these care packages
here.”
In his 13 years with the ministry, mechanical problems are not the only
kind of breakdowns Maxwell has seen.
The Rev. Bruce Maxwell/Breezewood Trucker/Traveler Ministry: “We
encounter folks who are spiritually in a breakdown, or emotionally in a
breakdown, and need someplace to share, to receive some help.”
Sometimes, the best help is just someone who’s there to listen.
Edward Forchion/Truck Driver: “It’s good to walk in and talk to somebody
who’s got nothing but positive and goodness on his mind.”
Maxwell hopes his travelers’ ministry can make the long miles on the
road go by a little faster.
Truck driver to Maxwell: “You’re doing a good thing here.”
The Rev. Bruce Maxwell: “Thank you. Thanks for the encouragement.”
TAG:
Chaplain Maxwell says he’s seeing more travelers getting stranded
because they can’t afford the high gasoline prices. The ministry helps
buy them gas so they can continue their journeys.
You can find out more about travelers’ ministries by going to
http://www.pachurches.org/html/tsmhome.html
or calling 814-735-4011, ext. 7463.