The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - III

Saturday May 31, 2008    Day 86    14.3  miles

Total North Carolina miles - 133.2    Walking Days - 41

Accumulative miles 605.2

Today Becky drove for me, something she really wanted to do before I left. It was important for her and for me, so off we went. We found the spot where I had stopped walking on Monday pretty easily, and I got started.

Becky drove ahead about three miles each time - with some variation - and waited for me. She had brought some hand work
she was working on, and would spend time on that. She was very good at meeting me at strategic places, such as spots where the road forks.

Joni called to see how I was doing, so I told her about Lady Mag. We talked for quite awhile. She was happy to hear me feeling so cheerful after the happenings of the past week.

As I worked my way along 117 Alt. I prayed and sang. After awhile I saw a man ahead of me hitchhiking. As I got close I greeted him, and stopped to talk for awhile. We actually ended up talking quite awhile. His name was Roy. We had some very definite differences of opinion on certain topics, but some goo discussion. I was able to talk to him about not being able to earn our way to heaven, and that there was only one way to heaven, and that would have to be through Jesus Christ having shed His blood on the cross for us. Works are a natural outcome of all this, but they can’t save us. I did get to pray for Roy before we parted.

Meanwhile Becky went to the home of some friends in Dudley. After awhile I saw Becky and five young people walking on the other side of the road coming my direction. There are six kids in this family, and Paul and five of them came out. Faith had to go out someplace. But Hope, Charity, Mercy, Josiah, and Jeremiah did come out. Then a little bit later Paul, their father, came as well.

I had one of them take pictures of Roy and me together, then he got his ride and left. Now I turned my attention to this lovely family. What a delight they were. Paul knew a lot of the history of the area. He told us of the Neuse Indians that used to live in the area, and for which the Neuse River is named. These Indians were quite fierce, and even cannibalistic.

Josiah and Jeremiah asked some good questions about the walk. One of the girls also asked a question or two. They were really fun. I could have spent a lot of time with this family. I would love to do a presentation for them and just let them ask a lot of questions as I go through the program.  I’ve done that with two or three other families, and loved it. They had to get going, so we got some pictures of them, them with me, and them with Becky.

I got started walking again and soon 117 Alt joined 117. This next stretch was very busy, and I had a phone call come in that was very hard to hear. I did have my headset with me, so connected that, and had a little better reception. It was my friend, Chari with a prayer request, which I have down.

Finally 117 went straight and I turned onto Business 117. This was much quieter. It took me through the town of Goldsboro. It was about 3:15 pm when I stopped at the corner of Ash and William streets. I had walked 14.3 miles.

When we got into Becky’s car I called Ray, the tow truck driver to ask about getting another picture of Snow White with my cell phone so I could send it to Dave. He told us where to go, and said he would meet us there. It took us a few tries, and a couple more phone calls before we found where he was. But we did succeed, and I’ve sent those off to Dave now. It was kind of sad to see Snow White again in the condition she’s in.

From there we drove on home to Becky’s, where Bob had dinner ready for us by the time we got out of the showers. Becky had prepared some of it the night before. It was a delicious meal of London Broil, green beans, and potato salad. Bob and Becky make an awesome pair.

After dinner we ate the rest of the Shoo-fly pie and visited. Then I went off to journal and call Dave before going to bed. It was a great day. I really liked having Becky drive for me.