Waco, Tx

One of the rangers here at the Lake Whitney campground told Patty about a sustainable community near Waco that has shops with different hand made crafts. Patty loves to look at those type of items. It is called Homestead Heritage.

Homestead Heritage

They are a religious sect somewhat like Amish or Mennonites in that the woman dress with long dresses and they shun modern stuff except for business. For business they have laptops, computers and even sell CD's with their music and stuff on it. All their crafts are hand made though. After researching them, it does seem like they may be a cult, it seems that Waco attracts them!

They have however figured out how to make money off of this minimalist lifestyle. They have their own cafe and even raise their own beef for the cafe. They make their own ice cream which we tried and it was very good. They have a bakery and even make their own cheese. All is for sale to the public.

This is a picture of their mill. Water is moving down the trough and powers the paddle wheel which powers the mill which turns the wheat into flour.

Gist Mill

All the items were very expensive! A rocking chair was almost $5,000.00!! Handmade toddler dresses were $275.00, and I'm guessing labor is cheap!

After we left Heritage with only buying a bowl of ice cream we headed into to downtown Waco to Indian Spring Park. This is where a suspension bridge was built in 1870 over the Brazos river so ranchers could move their cattle along the Chisholm Trail.

Chisholm Trail

The bridge was originally a toll bridge but was eventually donated to the city of Waco. 

Suspension Bridge sign

At the west entrance to the bridge are statues of a cattle drive heading towards the bridge. These are just a few of the cattle. They are on both sides of the opening.

Cattle Drive

Here is a view of the bridge from the side. You can see the suspension cables as well as the Brazos river below.

Waco Suspension Bridge

Looking straight through the bridge.

Bridge

We saw this bird down by the river and couldn't figure out what type it is. If you know please leave a comment and let us know!

Ugly Duckling

Being that we were in Waco, we decided we would try and find the infamous compound of the Branch Davidians. This is where cult leader  David Koresh led his flock of sheep into the seige that lasted 51 days in 1993 with the ATF. A total of 82 Branch Davidian men, women and children died and 4 ATF agents died.

The Branch

To our awful surprise the cult continues to this day at the same location. We drove in through the gates.

Branch Davidian Gate

Here is the compound today. You can see their new chapel in the distance.

Dividian Compound

I did some research after we got home and found that an original member Charles Pace who left the cult when Koresh who's real name was Vernon Howell had taken over the cult is now the leader. The surviving members had planted a tree for each of the dead, and put a marker in front with their names. Pace did not agree with that when he took over because he did not like Koresh. He tore out the trees and setup this memorial with all the name makers on it.

Memorial

Pace also changed Koresh's name on the seven shepherds  to his real name of Vernon Howell. It is the most far right on the top. He also included the 4 ATF agents names on the memorial.

Wall

Editorial:

When will people stop trying to find it? God created us and found us! The answer is right in front of of in the Bible. Jesus is the Messiah, not David Koresh, or any other pseudo-messiah. 

People are searching, that is why these cults keep happening, but they keep ending up tragic. Some may have even started out right, but when we take our eyes off of God and put them on a man it will never turn out well! 

I love my pastor, but my salvation is not in Pastor Steve, it is in the living God! Jesus Christ!

Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and off of man. Men will always let you down, God will never disappoint!

God bless you all,

Brian and Patty