Pearl Cole was still getting adjusted to her surroundings Friday morning after a ceremony marking the official opening of the new Abraham’s Tent facility.

“We’re still learning where everything is in here,” Cole said with a laugh as she opened a janitorial closet. Inside was a mop and bucket, which a volunteer shimmied out into the hallway.

The building not only looks new, it feels that way as well. The walls are bright and untouched. The floors are shiny and unscuffed. Some of the doorknobs have only been turned a handful of times, and most of the windows have yet to be opened.

For Cole, even though the old building was filled with memories, it was time to move on and create new ones in a proper place.

“We’ve been waiting for this for so long. That old building was really great for that time, but we were long overdue,” Cole said as she stood in the hallway. “Sometimes we were cold, other times we were hot. And I really felt there could have been some health issues if we had not gotten out of there.”

Every few seconds, Cole would greet a smiling face that entered the main lobby doors. Most of them wound up with a plate filled with barbecue that had been made earlier in the morning. People would pass by and congratulate her on the new building, and others would just give her a hug.

The entire event signified the end of a journey, which included the raising of more than $1 million and over a year’s worth of construction.

While Cole knew relatively what to expect throughout the morning’s ceremony, she was caught off guard by one of the event’s smaller moments. A sign was revealed that showed the building had been officially name after Cole. More than an hour after the reveal, Cole still struggled to find the words to explain how she felt.

“I was shocked. I was surprised. That wasn’t part of the plan,” Cole said. “I was just excited about the building, but actually having it named, I really can’t explain it.”

Cole is never one to take credit for something. Instead, she smiles, nods and turns the spotlight toward people she believes are more deserving of the recognition. Even when talking about the building and what she went through to make it a reality, Cole redirects the attention to the people who will fill the inside of the building on a regular basis.

“All of the people that come here are excited. I’m trying to work at making this a situation where they take ownership,” Cole said. “It’s their building, and I want them to realize that. It can only be what they want it to be.”

One of the Lake Area residents enjoying the new setting was Shirley Barnes. She was standing near the end of one of the dining area tables, saving seats for a few people in line getting food. Next to Barnes was her 1-year-old granddaughter Courtney. The child was nestled in a stroller and fiddling with her bottle. Barnes said she remembers the old building and the fond memories many people in the community have of it. Still, she said, it was nice to be somewhere new.

“The building is just absolutely beautiful. It’s really a blessing for all of us,” Barnes said. “The old building was a little older but it was nice and it was comfortable. I know this one is going to be a success too.”

Cole’s influence has a significant reach when it comes to the people she serves. They even speak with a similar rhetoric. When told that Cole wants those who use the facility to make it their own, Barnes redirects the attention back to Cole.

“It’s really a blessing for us to have Pearl,” Barnes said. “She does so much in terms of taking care of people and making sure they’re fed, we just have to thank God for her. She deserves this.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)