By Sister Bernadine Karge, OP
October 29, 2014
The Nuns on the Bus rolled into Council Bluffs, Iowa, on
this sunny cool day to energize and be energized by dozens of folks gathered at
the Madison Avenue Shoppes Mall. After an introductory session Iowa canvassers
paired up with a Nun on the Bus to visit different neighborhoods to collect
early voting ballots. We knocked on doors and were warmly greeted by voters who
had already returned their ballots by mail. A mom with a 10-month-old babe-in-arms
reported that she and her husband received their ballots yesterday and would
complete them tonight to be collected by the canvasser. The commitment of the
canvassers was inspirational to us. They, in turn, were delighted and grateful
that NOTB visited their town a second time and support their efforts this week
before the midterm elections.
Red Oak, Iowa, the home town of Joni Ernst, a senatorial
candidate was the second stop of the day. NOTB dropped off information about
the need for the 100%, We the People, We the Voters to be at the table. The
citizens of Red Oak were enthusiastic to meet and greet NOTB, sign the bus as
committed voters, and canvass the neighborhoods to collect early voter ballots.
The crunch of leaves beneath our feet, the splendor of rose bushes still in
bloom, the splendor of the autumn colors against a clear blue sky, the
friendliness of the town folk energized us in our common goal of creating a
community of hope and celebrating the common good.
The final stop of the day was Creston, Iowa, an old railroad
town where dozens of citizens, including the mayor, greeted NOTB with applause
and tears of gratitude for coming to their town. We gathered indoors to take
part in a buzz session, reflecting on when and for whom we first voted and what
gives us hope. The answers reflected that it is in community that we find hope
and a feeling of working together to achieve the common good. In true heartland
style, there were crockpots of warm soup that we were invited to share. This
“souper” stop energized us all for continuing the mission of rolling out the
vote this last week before midterm elections.
