The End of the First Week

Walked 10.8 miles today and found ourselves thinking of you....remember that old Nat King Cole song "Unforgettable"....Unforgettable that's what you are. Unforgettable both near and far. Friends, you are so much a part of me as I walk through Osawatomie....kind of brings a tear to your eye, eh?.... Yep! We ended our day on main street in Osawatomie, KS.

It was a good day. Bobby Bowers was on his way to work when he stopped to check on me. When I asked him what he knew about God, he pointed to his bible in the back seat. "I read it at lunch time every day." It wasn't long before Jeff stopped and then L.Z came by the RV. Keep our friend L.Z. in your prayers. He needs a job. Lucy and I prayed he wouldn't just get a job but that he would get a position he was suited and gifted for and that would provide for all his family's needs. We believe God is going to connect him to someone who can open a door for him this very day!

A car stopped about thirty yards ahead of me and a woman got out and started to walk toward me. She had a package of Pall Mall cigarettes in her hand. She said "I was just about to light one of these up when I saw you and put it back in the box. Will you pray for me? I want to quit." We prayed a bit and then God kind of nudged my heart. He said, "Tell her I love her whether she quits or not." I shared with Angela that God loved her whether she smoked a pack a day or nothing at all and nothing would diminish His love for His daughter. She looked puzzled. "Christ didn't come to condemn you, Angela. He came to rescue you."

I explained God did want what was best for her though and He would help her overcome her desire for tobacco. I told her to grab a hold of Isaiah 41:13. I walked her back to the car and met her husband Steve. We talked a bit longer and I went away wishing we could spend more time together. Tenderness seemed to engulf these two and it was overflowing to me...it felt soooo good.

My encounters for the day weren't over. A car pulled over and a gentleman approached with a bottle of water. Tom and his bride Sarah had just gotten married last night! I was so excited for them. I said, "Let me bless you two!" We walked over to Sarah who was sitting in the car and I could tell by the look on her face she wasn't sure about all this blessing stuff! We all held hands as I spoke a blessing on their new life together. When I was done I asked them if they knew God. Tom said he wasn't very religious and I resisted the temptation to go into my religion vs. relationship lecture.

I spoke of the importance of having a marriage of three and how important God is to their new life together. I encouraged them to investigate this man called Jesus. God allowed a seed to be planted in their marriage today. Please pray that it will be tended to, watered and will flourish.

The day ended for us around noon. We looked for a campground but there was nothing in Osawatomie plus it's Labor Day weekend. Even if we could find a campground, it probably would be booked. Yikes!

Our good friends Bob & Ginger Leavitt were coming back from Texas so they met up with us, had a little lunch and then went on our way to find a church where we could spend the night. Pastor Gary at the local UMC offered us a parking space at his church. Now it's time to go and nap....zzzzzzzzzzzz