It's funny the expectations you have. When you say you're going to do a 3300 mile walk for Christ, the emphasis is always on the miles walk and the time it will take you.
Our first journey took thirteen months...and thirteen pairs of shoes. Our second journey took eighteen months; fourteen walking and a four month break for closed campgrounds (forgot about winter in Iowa).
Sometimes we miss the for Christ part of the walk. For Christ means it's all about people. Every day I start out wanting to walk 15 miles. I'll be happy if we get at least 12 but lately it seems we're having a hard time breaking into double digits. We're not talking to a lot of people but we're spending time with people; time talking and time listening.
My morning started off with Mona. She stopped right on the road to see if I was okay. I wish she would have pulled over because as she drove away I saw she was crying. Was there something wrong? Did God touch her heart? I prayed for her all day...hope you will too.
Later on I ran across Travis from Holton, KS (about 2 hours north). Today is his 5th wedding anniversary (No...he wasn't married five times). He told me about his wife Jean and their sons, Danner Jo & Sterrit. Travis was the kind of guy that you just liked when you met him. He was building bridges and his dog, Box Car was with him. We got a chance to pray together and I walked away thanking for letting me meet Travis. He just brightened my day.
Some road construction was going on and I stopped to thank some of the workers for checking in on Lucy. Made sure they all had one of our postcards. It has a collage of pictures of us on the front and Jesus is Calling Your Name on the back. It'll give them something to talk about over the dinner table tonight. I can hear it now..."Marge, you'll never guess what I saw today. I got to to tell ya about this itty bitty guy dressed like Moses."
Coming through town Cindy flagged me down. "I want to hear your testimony." "Let me hear yours first," I replied. Cindy has had a tough life. Death has taken many of her family and all in a very short period of time. Darkness has taken it's toll but when I stopped to talk with her she was holding on to a twisted wooden cross. "He's the only one that gets me through," she said.
We talked for quite a while and when she left me, she drove up the road and spoke with Lucyah. Later in day we found a place to hook up to electricity and we've been doing "office stuff" for several hours. Just a few minutes ago, someone knocked at the door and right now Lucy is sitting on a park bench listening and talking.
This journey that we're on is not about miles or time...its all about people.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
One step forward...sort of
Spent a couple hours this morning trying to get someone to tell us what is amiss with the generator. It has a new battery but it seems like it's not holding a charge. Might be a short in the system or an alternator gone bad or .... who knows what. It is suppose to recharge itself any time we are hooked up to a 30 or 50 amp outlet or when it is plugged into the RV and running. We were hooked up to 30 amps the last two nights.
For those of you who have never had to rely on a generator...a generator is our alternate form of power. When we're not plugged in to electric or driving down the road, it's the generator that keeps the lights on, the AC functioning and, most importantly, the refrigerator running. Having a generator work properly makes your life on the road so much more enjoyable.
The first guy we went to didn't have time for the next three days to look at it but he did jiggle a wire and the darn thing started! Lucy and I just looked at each. Our eyes glazed over, our blood pressure rose and we felt like there was a big neon arrow pointing at us saying "Dumb-itos!"
The mechanic did say the battery wasn't recharging and suggested we get the battery fully charged. He sent us down the street. Steve tested our battery and it was recharging fine. Of course it was! We just looked at each other and shook our heads. Don't worry. Be happy....and breathe!
Lucy and I decided to let it run for awhile and allow it to charge up. By now it was about 10:30am and we decided to walk a bit since it was an overcast day...I walked two miles when it started to rain.
Up to this point, this has been the hardest trip to get started we've ever had....it's still raining and we're hoping to get a window of wet less weather in the morning. Now amidst all these little annoying incidents, we can be thankful that God provided us with a place to hook up to electricity the last two evenings, neither mechanic charged us a nickel and last night our good friends Don & Pat came to visit.
Got to remember to glance on problems and gaze on God. If I forget that, please remind me!
For those of you who have never had to rely on a generator...a generator is our alternate form of power. When we're not plugged in to electric or driving down the road, it's the generator that keeps the lights on, the AC functioning and, most importantly, the refrigerator running. Having a generator work properly makes your life on the road so much more enjoyable.
The first guy we went to didn't have time for the next three days to look at it but he did jiggle a wire and the darn thing started! Lucy and I just looked at each. Our eyes glazed over, our blood pressure rose and we felt like there was a big neon arrow pointing at us saying "Dumb-itos!"
The mechanic did say the battery wasn't recharging and suggested we get the battery fully charged. He sent us down the street. Steve tested our battery and it was recharging fine. Of course it was! We just looked at each other and shook our heads. Don't worry. Be happy....and breathe!
Lucy and I decided to let it run for awhile and allow it to charge up. By now it was about 10:30am and we decided to walk a bit since it was an overcast day...I walked two miles when it started to rain.
Up to this point, this has been the hardest trip to get started we've ever had....it's still raining and we're hoping to get a window of wet less weather in the morning. Now amidst all these little annoying incidents, we can be thankful that God provided us with a place to hook up to electricity the last two evenings, neither mechanic charged us a nickel and last night our good friends Don & Pat came to visit.
Got to remember to glance on problems and gaze on God. If I forget that, please remind me!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Let the Week Begin!
Foggy morning. Didn't get started til about 7:00am.
Generator is not working and don't know why. All we have is a click when we try to start it. Could be something as easy as the battery not holding a charge. Got to get this taken care immediately...it runs our fridge whenever we're not hooked up to electricity.
Route 169 turned from a four lane highway with broad shoulders into a two lane road with little to no shoulders. Makes Lucy's job tougher....finding a place to pull over every three or four miles is a bear.
Andrew & Marty stopped to take our picture today. They were going north on 169, saw me dressed in Biblical attire and muttered something like..."Yowzer! Was that Yoda?" and turned around. They're both believers from the Independence area. I think Andrew said he was a member of the Church of Christ.
Every day we meet new people and every day it's wonderful! Gotta tell you though, I'm a little sore tonight. Did 11.6 miles today and it got a little toasty. Should be in pretty good shape in another 100 miles or so!
Generator is not working and don't know why. All we have is a click when we try to start it. Could be something as easy as the battery not holding a charge. Got to get this taken care immediately...it runs our fridge whenever we're not hooked up to electricity.
Route 169 turned from a four lane highway with broad shoulders into a two lane road with little to no shoulders. Makes Lucy's job tougher....finding a place to pull over every three or four miles is a bear.
Andrew & Marty stopped to take our picture today. They were going north on 169, saw me dressed in Biblical attire and muttered something like..."Yowzer! Was that Yoda?" and turned around. They're both believers from the Independence area. I think Andrew said he was a member of the Church of Christ.
Every day we meet new people and every day it's wonderful! Gotta tell you though, I'm a little sore tonight. Did 11.6 miles today and it got a little toasty. Should be in pretty good shape in another 100 miles or so!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
An Osawatomie Sunday
Pastor Gary Gooding of Osawatomie UMC let us use his parking lot as our home last night. There's something nice about staying on the church grounds...you just feel safe.
Bart & Lina led one of the Sunday school classes and so we joined them at 9:30am. Met a gentleman named Tom who saw us do Zacchaeus at the New Haven Seventh Day Adventist Church in Overland Park about a year and a half ago! He also spotted us on Route 169 yesterday! Had a great morning of fellowship.
Joined them for service and we were delighted to be there on a morning where they served communion. It was a lovely church complete with a kneeling pad at the altar and a balcony for the choir.
After church we had a exciting day of doing laundry and "duking it out" with our generator. She just wasn't cooperating today. We went down to John Brown (of Civil War fame) Memorial Park and found out they had electric hook-ups and water...woo-HOO!
It's been peaceful all day but it's after 8:00pm now and all the teenagers and their music are at the park...no school tomorrow! Oh well, sleep is overrated anyhow!
Bart & Lina led one of the Sunday school classes and so we joined them at 9:30am. Met a gentleman named Tom who saw us do Zacchaeus at the New Haven Seventh Day Adventist Church in Overland Park about a year and a half ago! He also spotted us on Route 169 yesterday! Had a great morning of fellowship.
Joined them for service and we were delighted to be there on a morning where they served communion. It was a lovely church complete with a kneeling pad at the altar and a balcony for the choir.
After church we had a exciting day of doing laundry and "duking it out" with our generator. She just wasn't cooperating today. We went down to John Brown (of Civil War fame) Memorial Park and found out they had electric hook-ups and water...woo-HOO!
It's been peaceful all day but it's after 8:00pm now and all the teenagers and their music are at the park...no school tomorrow! Oh well, sleep is overrated anyhow!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
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
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
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow...
Woke up at 5:00am ready to rock and roll only to find out it was raining. Now folks often wonder if we walk in the rain… sometimes we will but generally, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for a couple of reasons.#1 – The objective of walking is to talk with people and most people have a tendency to stay inside when it’s wet outside. If they do go out and stop to check in on us, the conversation is hurried. We carry postcards and flyers in a Ziplock bag but no matter how careful you are, paper gets soggy and nobody reads soggy paper even it says “Jesus is calling your name.”
#2 – When your living quarters are 26 feet long and about 8 feet wide and your clothes get wet, it’s a mess. Oh, you can take them to a laundermat if you happen to be near a town but trust me….it’s best if you stay dry in the first place.
So today we did office work…I wrote thank letters to those who support us financially, returned phone calls and emails while Lucy put our receipts in order and checked the ol’ bank balance and caught up on her Quick Book duties.
We also got to listen to one our favorite hymns by the Beatles.. Oh! You didn’t know the Beatles wrote a hymn. Well, Listen to the words of the song “From Me to You.” Listen as God sings that song to you. He loves you….He’s there for you….just call on Him.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Oil Leaks, Gaskets, Friends & the Gospel
Our 3300 mile walk for Christ started on August 31st but we didn't get far...5 miles to be exact!
We had a mysterious oil leak and then a cork gasket had to be replaced. There was talk of flat cams oil sending units and rods. Yikes! Our good friends from Southwest Community Church held our hand through everything and our RV coach (not the vehicle but our friend Bob Leavitt) was on the phone with us, the mechanics and our church family. Everyone was speaking "Mechanic-ese" and that is definitely not my second language! It's good to have friends....it's great to have loving and knowledgeable friends!
It wasn't until Thursday that we re-started. Only walked about nine and a half miles but met some wonderful people. Lucy got stopped by three police officers...state, county and local. I also got stopped by a state trooper. Besides the "boys in blue" people were stopping to see if we needed help. They'd see the RV and then they'd see a little guy dressed funny walking down the road. It seemed obvious...this guy needs help!
Heather was the first to stop. She had an incredulous look on her face as I shared about the walk. A gentleman in a pick up truck pulled up next to the RV as I had just stopped to take a break. His visit was pleasant and brief. Next to arrive was officer Bob Ward. He thought walking across the country was cool....us too! We prayed protection and favor over his life and peace for his family as he carries out his duties.
Dean Wilson and his wife were headed south on route 169 and saw the RV on the side of the road. They looked to the left and saw me walking against traffic and figured I broke down. They took the time to turn around, head north and see if they could help me. Don't you just love people like that!! We spent some time talking, prayed together and then said good-bye.
We finally finished for the day and it was starting to get hot. Lucy tried to turn the generator on to turn on the AC but all it would do is making a groaning sound. I was out fiddling with it to see if I could get to go and a gentleman pulled up to see if we needed help. His name was Kelly and his favorite pastime was talking about Jesus! Would like to have had more time to speak with him. He seemed like the kind of fellow I could learn a lot from.
Lucy and I decided to head back to Southwest Community for a prayer meeting tonight. It would be our last evening with our friends for sometime. I car passed us and looked over at us before pulling in front of us. It wasn't long before she put on her right signal and slowed down a bit. We figured she was going to turn and passed her on the left. She got right behind us! Lucy said "I think she wants to talk with us."
Sure enough, no sooner did we pull over than did she pull behind us and jump out of her car. "I 'm looking for the holy man." I had just taken off my robe, headpiece and bag. She said "I've been looking for him. I saw him and then he disappeared!" Lucy told her I was the one she saw walking. She thrust a bag and a soda from McDonald's.
"This is for you! I need prayer."
Lucy said "Let's pray right now."
"No. No. I'm late for work"
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Just pray for Solo. God will know who it is." She jumped into her car and drove off.
Lucy & I ate our McNuggets and fries and pondered the day. We wondered what God did today.
Traveling as we do, we rarely get to see the results but we are delighted to be part of God's process.
We had a mysterious oil leak and then a cork gasket had to be replaced. There was talk of flat cams oil sending units and rods. Yikes! Our good friends from Southwest Community Church held our hand through everything and our RV coach (not the vehicle but our friend Bob Leavitt) was on the phone with us, the mechanics and our church family. Everyone was speaking "Mechanic-ese" and that is definitely not my second language! It's good to have friends....it's great to have loving and knowledgeable friends!
It wasn't until Thursday that we re-started. Only walked about nine and a half miles but met some wonderful people. Lucy got stopped by three police officers...state, county and local. I also got stopped by a state trooper. Besides the "boys in blue" people were stopping to see if we needed help. They'd see the RV and then they'd see a little guy dressed funny walking down the road. It seemed obvious...this guy needs help!
Heather was the first to stop. She had an incredulous look on her face as I shared about the walk. A gentleman in a pick up truck pulled up next to the RV as I had just stopped to take a break. His visit was pleasant and brief. Next to arrive was officer Bob Ward. He thought walking across the country was cool....us too! We prayed protection and favor over his life and peace for his family as he carries out his duties.
Dean Wilson and his wife were headed south on route 169 and saw the RV on the side of the road. They looked to the left and saw me walking against traffic and figured I broke down. They took the time to turn around, head north and see if they could help me. Don't you just love people like that!! We spent some time talking, prayed together and then said good-bye.
We finally finished for the day and it was starting to get hot. Lucy tried to turn the generator on to turn on the AC but all it would do is making a groaning sound. I was out fiddling with it to see if I could get to go and a gentleman pulled up to see if we needed help. His name was Kelly and his favorite pastime was talking about Jesus! Would like to have had more time to speak with him. He seemed like the kind of fellow I could learn a lot from.
Lucy and I decided to head back to Southwest Community for a prayer meeting tonight. It would be our last evening with our friends for sometime. I car passed us and looked over at us before pulling in front of us. It wasn't long before she put on her right signal and slowed down a bit. We figured she was going to turn and passed her on the left. She got right behind us! Lucy said "I think she wants to talk with us."
Sure enough, no sooner did we pull over than did she pull behind us and jump out of her car. "I 'm looking for the holy man." I had just taken off my robe, headpiece and bag. She said "I've been looking for him. I saw him and then he disappeared!" Lucy told her I was the one she saw walking. She thrust a bag and a soda from McDonald's.
"This is for you! I need prayer."
Lucy said "Let's pray right now."
"No. No. I'm late for work"
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Just pray for Solo. God will know who it is." She jumped into her car and drove off.
Lucy & I ate our McNuggets and fries and pondered the day. We wondered what God did today.
Traveling as we do, we rarely get to see the results but we are delighted to be part of God's process.
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