Today started off early with a quick breakfast and then we finished up our tour of Maysville and were off for The Freedom Center Underground Railroad Museum. This place is designed to give visitors a clear perspective of the slave trade and the determination these freedom seekers had. I keep writing freedom seeker and not fugitive slave or run away slave because these people were more than slaves, they were people who had families and whos only wish was for freedom. The risks they were willing to take were great because for many of them death was better than a life time of enslavement. As we visit the various sites we are able to feel apart of these people who have passed through these steps and are able to gain perspective into the mindset of the people. 

I am not the only LDS person on this trip and today at the Freedom Center there was a huge sign that pointed people to a family history center that is using family search program that the church uses in the family history centers. It really sparked an interest among the people on the trip with me. It opened up a great conversation about genealogy and the church's focus on our ancestors. The other LDS person on the trip looked at me and said " I can really feel the spirit of Elijah" As I reflected on that statement it helped me to realize that for many of the participants of this study tour we are actually following in the footsteps of their kindred dead. For some reason it made teaching this material to as many students as possible an important task. I know that there are many many spirits that are waiting for their story to be told and that they are inspiring others to seek them out and let them be heard one again. We we met a woman who was born in 1922 whos  life work has been finding her ancestors and sharing their stories. This truly is the Spirit of Elijah at work in the hearts of the people. 

It is late and ill post some photos tomorrow morning.