Deeply Rooted in Tradition

When she was a young, single school teacher, my maternal grandmother took a train ride from Galveston to Arizona in the mid 1920’s.   During a stop at Paisano Pass, the train porter showed my grandmother Paisano, explaining that Dr. Truett often disembarked from this stop on his way to preach.  Years later, my grandparents and their four children were vacationing in the Texas Hill Country.  My grandmother was dissatisfied with accommodations and encouraged my grandfather  to drive west to Alpine.  I’ve seen photos of cabins, tents and other facilities at Paisano in the early 1940’s.  With no disrespect intended, I’ve always thought that place in the Hill Country must have been pretty bad…    The Collins family fell in love with Paisano, and some or all of us have been coming back ever since.  

I received a crash course in Paisano Traditions within the first hour of General Encampment as a young boy.   We had arrived late the previous evening, and I was up early exploring.  I crossed the bridge near the dining shed, walked past the office and shortly confronted the largest water cooler I’d ever seen, emblazoned with a Hardin Simmons University logo.  The coolers’ impressive size aside, the area was a beehive of activity early that morning, especially with children.  Magically, grape Kool-Aid was flowing from the cooler.  Paper cups were in ample supply, and dozens of children were fully and enthusiastically imbibing when I joined them.

“How can it get any better than this,” I thought, midway through consuming my fill of the magic potion.  I sat down at a nearby bench to rest for a moment, and shortly thereafter became a bit concerned in observing some college students whispering, gasping and then full out belly laughing.

“They put X-lax in the Kool-Aid!  They put X-lax in the Kool-Aid!” more than a few folks exclaimed between guffaws.

Magical morning shattered, in an instant my countenance fell from elation and full contentment to utter terror.  I had no knowledge or understanding of this awful ingredient I’d consumed, but it sounded bad.  Tears filled my eyes, and I retreated to our cabin, certain my sins had found me out and frightened of the consequences I must face.

Each of you has your own introduction to Paisano Traditions.  I encourage you to share it with others.

Paisano is steeped in tradition.

A favorite history professor maintained a firm premise that, “History is made by great individuals and great events, not by anonymous social and economic forces.”

Places like Paisano don’t just evolve. Look at this tabernacle.  On a number of occasions, I’ve looked at the superstructure of this tabernacle in awe.  Wouldn’t you like to have seen this built?  I look up, and I think, “How Did They Do That?”  The joist pattern is fascinating and amazing.  Not a column in the place. 

This camp was built to last, and it was built by men and women of purpose.  Paisano has a tradition of great leaders whose courageous decisions led to great events, and made history.

Paisano has a Tradition of faith that must be shared.  Paisano’s founders were great leaders.  And they certainly made courageous decisions.  But these decisions were predicated on a tradition of faith they simply had to share with others, even in the far reaches of the incredibly remote Trans-Pecos.  These founders knew and lived Hebrews 2:3, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

Paisano has a Tradition of Great Preaching.  Biblical based expository preaching with an emphasis on life-changing application.

Paisano has a tradition of Great Food.  Napoleon said, “An army marches on its stomach.”  The landscape of Western Europe might be entirely different had Bonaparte been feeding his troops a steady diet of beef, beans and chili macho.  Food here is genuine, authentic, exceptional and expertly prepared.

Paisano has a tradition of children.  Critter Races.  Rock climbing.  Fat Man’s Misery.  Lover’s Leap.  The saddle.  Thoughtful, heart-felt, Christ-centered programming with an emphasis on having fun in the Lord.  

Paisano has a tradition of prayer.  As a child, I believed this was formalized for men and boys so that they could learn what Paisano women already knew.

Paisano has a tradition of Servant Leadership.  Paisano runs on the dedicated efforts of devoted volunteers.  The cook shed crew, those who man serving lines, those who lead children’s church, those who coordinate services, those who lead recreation—all these leaders are volunteers.  Let us make a point this week to thank them for their humble and graceful servant leadership.

Paisano has a tradition of Rugged Individuals.  A few years ago, our neighbor Jack Frost and I were having a discussion one evening on Jack’s back porch.  Looking at the creek behind our cabins, I casually asked Jack how high he had seen the water in the years he’d been coming to Paisano.  “The creek will run after a rain,” he said, “But it’s never reached the porch.”  A couple of afternoons later, clouds formed and it appeared we were in for a welcome rain.  Less than two hours later, we had six inches of water in our cabin, and I was concerned about the force of the water against our structure.  No doubt many of your remember this event, as all manner of Paisano relics and artifacts was washed away, some to locations across the highway.  The next afternoon, a substantial portion of the camp lost power.  Water receded, power was restored.  Camp finished strong.

We are a resilient group, but we pale in comparison to our forebears.  My grandparents stayed out here in the 1940’s in a cabin with running cold water and barely enough power to run two light bulbs.  They often extended a tent canvass to their cabin to provide adequate sleeping quarters.  Yet we have photos of them on their way to services or returning from services.  They’re dressed in Sunday Best.  Formal dresses, hats, jewelry, coat and tie—not just for one morning or evening—for an entire week!   How did they do this?  Magic Suitcases?   We have it easy…

Paisano has a tradition of Great music.  Hymns.  Talented vocalists and instrumentalists.  Music with a message.  Music that inspires…

Paisano has a tradition of cheerful, generous giving.  True to its founders’ wishes, the encampment still operates on a free will offering.

Paisano has a tradition of Simplicity and Majesty.  Where else can you spend a week without cell phone reception?  And where better to see the Lord’s creation than to climb His hills and be awed by His night skies?

Paisano has a tradition of Great People. We are a people of faith.   Our faith is not a vaccination against life’s hardships, challenges, sorrows and tragedies.  But it is foundational in trusting, sharing and caring for each other.  We do find comfort, wisdom and assurance within this body of believers that provides hope and encouragement.

In closing, I’d like to read a brief description of Paisano written by Glen Edwards in July of 1988.  We can talk about Paisano traditions.  Glen Edwards embodied Paisano tradition.

“Substance and simplicity fairly describe the basic character and dominant features of Paisano.  Nor is this accidental.  That’s the way it was intended by our founders and their successors.

The program, centering as it does in the staples of the Christian pilgrimage—worship, reflection, celebration, fellowship—is, all agree, substantial.  Essence, not frenzied activity, is the stated purpose of the framers of the Paisano program.  Personnel, commensurate with the program in strength, has been chosen to give more than adequate leadership.

Simplicity is reflected in the uncluttered schedule.  Coerced regimentation does not belong to the nature of this place.  Voluntary participation does.  You will decide how you spend your time here.  How you use your time will determine what and how much you take back when you leave these grounds.

We are glad you are here.  Enjoy the week.  Relax.  Rest.  Recover.  Remember.  Listen.  Examine.  Visit. Contribute.  Laugh.  Sing.  Be still.  Give Thanks.

And, please, do keep coming back.”

Gordon Wilkerson