MEALS WITH PASTOR

Did the pastor or a visiting missionary ever eat dinner at your house? Did they have an impact on your life?

You probably can guess the correct answer to this question: obviously YES! Since my parents were missionaries, we frequently had pastors and/or missionaries in our home for meals and overnight. These visits were especially important to me when we live out in Tupã. We were the only Americans in a 200+ mile radius but on the main road and train route from the big coastal cities to the vast interior of Brazil. Many Missionaries came by our house either just for short visits or to spend the night. Those were very special times for me. I did not even mind that I had to give up my room on some of those occasions. It was just so good to see my missionary and MK friends. Otherwise, I might not see them but once a year during Mission Meeting. I am not sure how the modern MKs and staying close to other MKs now that they are no longer having MM. I am just glad I lived in a day when we did get together for one week a year.

The Sutton family visiting us in Tupã. JES was my best friend from Rio days.

FIVE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS

Recall for me five of the most important lessons you have learned in life.

I am still learning. Or that is what I like to tell myself. However, what I have actually done is give up on trying to understand life. I know what others give as answers to these questions but honestly, for better of worse, those answers make no difference in my life. For example: Family is the most important thing in life. Nevertheless, I live as if it was not; I don't call or write them. I only visit on special occasions. 

I have learned one thing: Every action has a reaction. That is, actions have consequences. For better or worse, everything I have done has its results. I have 3 absolutely beautiful kids and up to now 6 adorable grandkids. I would not change that for the world. Nevertheless, my marriages were mistakes. Sorry guys. I can only imagine how confusing this must be do you. 

CHILDHOOD FEARS

Can you remember being afraid as a boy? What was your greatest fear? How did you deal with it?

Yes, I can. I am intensely afraid of bees, wasps, hornets, dirt dobbers, and other such flying bugs. I come close to jumping out of a moving car to getting away from a bee. I have been this way since I was about 6 years old. I was paying with some cousins of mine at grandfather Hawkins' home. I tried to hide in an abandoned chicken coop. Unfortunately, it had a wasps nest in it. I was stung multiple times. How do I deal with them? Avoid if possible; kill when feasible.

GRANDPARENTS

Describe your grandparents. What did you enjoy the most about them?

Because I lived in Brazil for so long, I really did not spend much time with them when I was a child. In fact, my paternal grandfather died when we were in Brazil for our second term (5 year terms) so I was only with him as a baby and just during short visits when I was 5. 

I do know a little more about my maternal grandparents because we lived in Nashville during most furloughs... with exception for the 9 month one in 1969. I remember Grandmother Barker's (bna Mema) made strawberry shortcakes almost every time we visited her. She was also the only grandparent to initiate contacts with me... although they were rare. She sent birthday cards, wrote letters, and phoned me several times after I returned the the USA for college. Mema grew African Violated. I really admired her and should have asked for her to tell me the secret to keeping them alive.

During the 9 months we lived with the Barkers, the only bed open for me what in my elderly grandfather's room. He was restricted to a hospital room so needed someone to care for him 24/7.  My grandfather was a school principal and dairy farmer. I remember times, when he was still active, going to the dairy barn with him to milk the cows. He did have milking machines so it required very little manual labor. 

 Annie Barker

CU and Annie Barker

Although I do not remember much about my Hawkins side of the family, I do have some good memories. I remember Grandmother Georgia's pear preserves. I think the Hawkins side of the family was always closer to each other than the Barkers. I remember reunions at her house always been full of laughter and joy. Although Grandmother Georgia could be very loving and generous, I also remember feeling that she loved and believed her other grandkids more. One time my cousin Tony broke her mirror while throwing a ball in the house, she went to her grave saying it was me. The last time I saw her, she told that story with conviction had I was the guilty party. Of course, Tony's parents built and lived in the house right next to her.

Grandfather Fred's, for lack of a better word, presence. Although he was not as large as my father, it seemed to me that he was a giant. I have few other memories of him. The only other memory I do have is that one time I was stung by multiple wasps and he treated the stings with tobacco he had chude up. 

Fred  Lee Hawkins Sr

Georgia Payne Hawkins

Georgia and Fred Hawkins Sr

CHILDHOOD HOME

Where was your childhood home located? Did you enjoy living there? 

I lived in seven different cities before the age of 18. We lived at most of them for at least 1 year. The only exception was a 6 month furlough in 1970. We lived in two of the cities for eight years. The first of these was Rio de Janeiro. We lived there from the time I was 2 years old until 10 years. The home I remember the most is the 3rd and last Rio home we lived in. The house was very near the Baptist School where I attended kindergarten and elementary school. It was also close to the South Brazil Theological Seminary. The seminary was further up the hill from the house. There was a trail through the woods from near the back wall of the house to the seminary. I do not ever remember seeing anyone on the trail even though I followed it often. I remember that there was a little wooden shack at the side of it. I went into it once and it was empty. It did not occur to me at the time that this fact was very unusual since there were so many homeless people in Rio. I set off to climb to the top of the mountains several times be soon gave up. But since Sumaré Mountain is about 2500 feet high, that is not unexpected. Of course, things have changed drastically since then. The beautiful houses have been replaced by apartment building, the trail replaced by a street. 

The house on the right was ours. The one on the left was the home of the Sutton's. The South Brazil Theological Seminary is seen above the houses. The Combe (VW Bus) was our car.

The boys in the front yard.

Now the family is complete. Not sure where David was.

PRAYER

Did you pray as a young boy? If so, can you remember a specific prayer? Who taught you to pray?

Yes, I did pray. My parents did teach us to pray. Other than the grace and the dinner table, we really did not have a family prayer time. We did know about the "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer and The Lord's Prayer but did not use them with regularity and never as a ritual. We were taught to pray extemporaneously. Most of our prayers were private. However, we did have opportunities to learn public/group praying. Again, the prayers were extemporaneous. Written prayers as well as sermons were frowned upon since we thought they were not from the heart. I have come to appreciate written prayers... at least for public praying.

FAVORITE SPORT

What was your favorite sport or outdoor activity? Why was this your favorite?

This is an easy one: Football (Soccer). Football was a part of my life and both a participant and a viewer from the time I was very young. I usually played in a defensive position... sometimes as keeper. I was never as good as my Brazilian friends but that is to be expected since they practically played it all of their lives. Today, I am only a viewer when I have the opportunities.

Currently, I am an active hiker. I would like to be able to hike songer trains and more often. I did until it got very hot. In addition, my health has deteriorated somewhat. I do belong to two hiking meetups: The Nashville Hiking Meetup and the Tennessee Hiking meetup. I would love to hike the 16 mile long train to and back to Mount LeCount in the GSMNP but I do not now believe that will happen. My hope is to find someone willing to take my ashes there.