The 42nd President, William Clinton's Childhood Home Museum

Okay, on the day I visited the 42nd President Bill Clinton’s 1st Home Museum, I was driving down from Ft. Drum, New York to Ft. Sam Houston, Texas for a year of military school.  I didn’t plan on visiting the place.  As a matter of fact, I did not even know it was there along the way.  I saw the sign and thought, ‘why not?’  My plan was to just stop by for a quick picture break with the house.  If nobody was around, I was going to just take a picture of the house itself to show it to my kids later.   That was it.  Just an unplanned short visit…

When I got there, a nice lady, Ms. Martha Berryman, who turned out to be the director of the museum, greeted me.  We exchanged a formal greetings, and she quickly introduced me to Mr. Horton, her assistant, who showed me and a few visitors around the museum and the rest of the Mr. Clinton’s childhood house.

Mr. Horton also played a short 10 minute documentary movie about Mr. Clinton for us, and it was very inspiring that how a country boy from a small town of Hope, Arkansas, later grew up to be the President of America.  Wow… What a pride it must have been for the whole town, not to mention to his family!

Little Bill's Room

The house was not fancy or wealthy.   It was rather small and normal.  Yet, the president of America grew up here. Can you imagine what a thrill it must have been for the people of the town to have the President of the United States of America grew up as their neighbor?  Do you think the  little Billy knew he would become the President of America when he grew up?  I don’t think so, but I bet he must have been a very ambitious man, though. (note to self: Purchase Mr. Clinton’s biography and read it!) =)

The living room, kitchen, stairs, master room, grandparent’s room, boy Bill’s room, refrigerator, stove, heater, radio, bed, pictures, books, bathroom, toilet,… everything was there.  Even a letter he wrote to his grandmother was there.

Oh, if Mr. Horton asks you if you want to watch a short film on Mr. Clinton, please watch it.  You know what? You should purchase one after you watching it for your kids, grand-children, young men and women next door, or the whole church congregation.  It is only $10.  It will not only benefit the museum, but inspire young men and women with great hope!!!  It is only $10!  But you will do a great favor for many.  They currently carry only VHS tape, but she told me that they will soon have DVD version ready.  VHS tape is alright, too.  Just take it to Walmart and have them convert it to a DVD for $5.00.  You won’t regret you did it!

Mr. Horton and the house

Mr. Horton said that people from all over the world visit the place and some people even cry or kiss the floor.  I could understand how must they have been overwhelmed with the emotion.

The museum carried many books and historical items for sale, and I was interested in a couple of historical documents of Sojourner Truth and a Elizabeth Cady Stanton who both fought for woman’s right.  I thought about Afghanistan women and thought it would be a great inspiration for our organization, Project Help Afghanistan.

While I was looking through these documents and books, Ms. Berryman explained me about the historical significance of these people’s work and I naturally carried my conversation about why I was interested in woman’s right and what Project Help Afghanistan is planning to help Afghan widows and orphans.  Again, nothing was planned.  It just came out.  I explained how I became so compassionate while I was deployed to Afghanistan and helped almost 3,000 devastated Afghanistan people.  I also explained how we are planning vocational schools for Afghan widows and orphans, but in short on funds.

Ms. Berryman and me, posing for a picture!!!

She was very impressed with the work we started and told me that she would email a couple of her friends to let them know what we are doing.  She also wrote me several charities that I should start contacting: Clinton Global Initiative, Paul Newman Foundation, Bill & Malinda Gates Foundation, and Michael Dell Foundation.  She also talked about a book called ‘Giving’ which was written by Mr. Clinton.  In it I would find many charities who would be interested in helping small nonprofit organizations like ours, she said.

When I tried to pay for the things I wanted to purchase, she refused to accept the money and told me that it would be her contribution to our organization.  Wow… How nice of her and what an awesome visit it turned out to be!

I thanked her many times and left the museum with so much hope for our future projects.    One day when we could afford an office of our own, I will frame these inspiring historical documents and hang them on the walls to remind the days we started with nothing but compassion in our hearts.

“Thanks Ms. Berryman and Mr. Horton!  Great job!”  I hope we could keep in touch for many years to come….

We all know God works in mysterious ways and this was one good example for me.  At a total strange place with total strangers, we shared ideas and compassion God has placed in our hearts.  Through the experiences like these, God meets me, proves me His love, and reassures me that He is guiding me every step of the way.  He always tells me that it is not me doing all these work, it is not me making things happen, and I don’t have to worry about anything.  All I have to do is be there where He tells me to and do go where He shows me to.  He takes care of the rest.  Praise God for He is WONDERFUL in good times and bad times…..

I have a confess to make….  I have not even told any of my board members, but I have been worrying about the fund raising all by myself, because we are no where close to meet our funding goal for this year.  We need about $32,000 for this year, but little over $3,000 is all we have collected.  Buy you know what? Through this short visit to the museum, God showed me once again I am worrying for nothing.  All I need is the total trust in Him, and He will take care of the rest.  I have no doubt that He will bring the people and money we need to help these poor and helpless widows and orphans.

I will end with a quote of the President Bill Clinton found on the brochure, Ms. Berryman gave me

“There’s a whole world out there that needs you, down the street or across the ocean.  Give.  You don’t need to be wealthy or famous to make a difference.  Every action matters.  Big or small, the point is to do something to make your community and our world a better place.”

If you would like further information, you can contact Ms. Berryman at clintonbirthplace@sbcglobal.net or call 870-777-4455.