Perry's Mission Bank

When we dropped by Perry's house to drop off Tim for a visit with his cousin, we saw a most interesting bank - plastic, semi-transparent, and in the shape of a 4 foot "lighthouse". Upon further inquiry we learned that it was a special bank in that Perry was using to start saving for his mission by collecting coins in his lighthouse. Hopefully, his potential supporters will also understand the metaphorical significance of a lighthouse in missionary work.


Upon further inquiry I was told that this bank wasn't "working" as if that was obvious. Most banks just sit their holding the money within and this one certainly seemed to have that capability. But then I saw small electrical parts inside - one of which looked like a make switch that closes a circuit when something metal passes through - say a coin. No one complained when I started taking the lighthouse apart and started asking for equipment. Some of the equipment was available. For others we began thinking of alternatives. It's always a challenge working with others' equipment, Even if well-equipped they're not the equipment you're used to and this was no different. But the more we stripped aside layers of wrapping and plastic, the fewer tools we needed. We finally got to the level where the tools matched the job and we commenced to fix the switch.

Lee suggested a way to get right at the problem without any fancy equipments. Shortly thereafter we had all the pieces back together and Perry had a bank that worked. Now we'll see how many people will drop a coin to see his bank "work".