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There once was a
beekeeper who yearned for a place where he could place his
honeybee hives; a place of clean air, sunshine and lots of
flora from which God's precious creatures could eat. This
beekeeper and his wife combed many nooks and crannies in
central-west Florida. For thirteen years they drove about
craning their necks and looking for that "just right" place,
not only for the bee hives, but a place to set down roots for
the ministry which the Lord had given them in
1978.
In 1980 they saw
that the Lord was expanding their vision of the educational
ministry they had begun two years earlier, to include families
who were home schooling.
One day, as
they were taking a leisurely drive up the west coast of
Florida, they came across a little north Florida community,
entitled "Old Town," located in Dixie County, just north of
the Suwannee River.
They met a realtor
who told them about some land that was for sale back across
the river and southeast of Fanning Springs. The moment this
beekeeper stepped on this solid ground he knew that this was
the place which the Lord had reserved for him and his wife. He
knew that his search had ended. As this gentleman farmer and
his wife prayed, they were overcome with peace. They believed
that the Lord would work everything out for them to purchase
the land, since they had no money in the bank. True to the
Lord's word to them, the real estate broker worked things out
so that Carl and Geneva Diane Cornwell could buy an original
five acre tract, and within two years they would be able to
purchase an additional 15 acres; all in Gilchrist County,
Florida. All this was a dream come true for the CornwelIs.
With his "sophisticated lady" (who was raised and lived in the
city all her life) and a determination to make a go of it,
even though he was in his late "50's," the fact was that they
had been given this place by God.
They've raised honey bees on the land, as well as chickens,
dairy goats, turkeys and peafowl. They propagate plants and trans-
plant them all over the property, knowing that, one day, they
will have color from shrubs and bushes blooming all year
round. Every December they plant trees obtained from the
Forestry Service. Every year they cultivate a spring and autumn
vegetable gar- den. They even find time, each spring and
autumn, to host group functions. You are invited to come and
pause for a
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