This is one of those stories that is not really about what it says its about. Its about a much bigger picture.

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Have you ever stopped at a restaurant when travelling on the interstate and seen a sign that says "No facilities available for buses"? Or maybe you have seen "Buses welcome". What does that mean? And are buses really welcome? Here is what it means to welcome a busload of guests.

"No facilities available for buses"
"We simply have no facilities available for buses. Sorry" These places are not equipped to handle large groups. Barely enough parking for a few cars much less a bus. Don't even think about bringing your bus here or even sending a few people in. *If no sign at all is posted, it probably means buses are not welcome.

"Buses welcome"
"We can accomodate your group". Sometimes there is a parking space for your bus and you may even be able to sit together. There may be a service charge for groups over 10 people. It's ok to bring a bus here.

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"Buses REALLY welcome"
"We LOVE buses. We have special treatment waiting for your bus and your people. Just follow the signs. We have a bus attendant on duty and as soon as he sees your bus coming down the street he will open the gate on a special parking lot just for buses. We don't let cars park here. He will wave you in and up close to the building and park you in exactly the right spot. There are no sharp turns and it is very easy to pull into our freshly paved and marked bus lot.

As you park your bus, you notice the attendant kicking out a wide roll of red carpet catching a glimpse of the service to come for our very special guests. The attendant will greet you and ask where you are from. He will guide your group down the steps, thru a side door and into a lovely reception room where they will be greeted by your very own host for the evening, who somehow has learned who you are, where you are from and where you are travelling to.

**A note about your bus and driver** The parking lot attendant will talk with your bus driver and ask him if there is any service he would like performed on the bus while the visitors are having lunch - if so, he will be more than happy to arrange it. Your bus driver will eat for free and we will make sure he has some hot coffee to take with him when you leave. He will be given our business card and told that if his bus is ever in our area and has an emergency or needs service of any kind to call us and we will get someone over to help him and his people. This is a special service we provide to our bus friends. We're kind of crazy about buses.

Your group meanwhile are undergoing a very brief orientation with their host who understands that they may be tired and very hungry. Her job is to take care of their needs whatever they may be. She welcomes them and communicates that the entire team of the restaurant is glad that they are there and is ready to serve them. She motions to her left where a beautiful dining room sits with a very nice view and even within site of the bus. You notice pictures of other bus groups who have been here before. 'Over here are some nice restrooms you may want to visit, over there are some telephones, and in 5 minutes, I will take those of you who are interested on a tour of our restaurant, museum and store. If you want to pass the tour, have a seat in the dining room, and our waitresses (who love serving large groups) would be glad to take your order right away and get your food to you. Of course there is no service charge for your group. We are glad you chose to visit our restaurant on your trip. Again, we want to thank you for stopping in and if we can do anything at all for you, just see anyone of us here.'

After you have had some delicious food, coffee and dessert, your group follows the carpet back to the bus where you are greeted one last time by the restaurant manager and will be asked if we can take a picture of your group in front of your bus to hang in our "Bus Ring of Honor".

You look out the nice clean windshield as you make a LARGE turn out of the parking lot and onto the access ramp for very easy return to the interstate. Thank you so much for bringing your bus to our place. It is our pleasure to serve you and we want you to come back again and again!"

When you return home you discover a Federal Express package has arrived that day at your organizations office with a nice letter from the restaurant manager AGAIN thanking you for bringing your group to the restaurant. Some complimentary brownies are also enclosed along with a brochure and a large refrigerator magnet for you to place in your bus. "Come by and see us on your next visit to our area"

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Are "buses" welcome in your church or organization, or with you personally? Are they really welcome?