Do I look Like a Cop?

Hello from Salem OH!

I'm writing now from the public library in downtown Salem only a couple blocks from my free hotel room!

I left Mansfield early Monday morning and started out again on the familiar route 30. About 6 miles out of town, a minivan stopped and offered a ride. He was a bricklayer and headed to pick up his crew before going to their job site in Akron. Now Akron is a good distance north of my plotted route, but still east of where I was. So I took the ride.

We picked up his crew, 6 men in all, making for a very packed minivan experience. The only thing these men said to me was "do you 'smoke'?" (implying a different substance than tobacco.) I said no, and they passed a joint around the van.

I wandered through downtown Akron and found a coffee house to relax at. I had met someone in Madison Wi, a young hippie college student, who lived a short distance from Akron. She had told me to call if I was close so that I could stay at their cabin in South Benton. I was very much looking forward to a cabin on a lake and a very relaxing day until I called; then called again, and again; finding that her cell phone was turned off.

So here I was in a very large city with no place to stay and a flaky contact. What else could I do but head out of town.

I wandered down city streets eventually finding a route out of the city and toward a state park (camping sounded nice). Eleven miles later, I find that there is no campground. It's amazing how much longer a day seems when you're frustrated.

So I wandered a bit more finding none willing to stop, until I pulled off for water. I stopped in a small community to hydrate and the man whose driveway I walked in, jumped in his car and offered a ride instead. He told me that he had seen me earlier and really felt like he was supposed to pick me up but ignored the sensation. Though when I pulled in his driveway, he could see the obvious providence. I told him my story and we had a great conversation about the bigness of our God.

After the five mile ride, I was in Atwater Center, home of two restaurants, a gas station, and a beautiful little church. I sat at the diner for a while to rest my feet, and as I started to walk out of town, I heard the church bell and saw cars in the parking lot. So I sauntered over to take a look.

The pastor offered the church lawn as my post for the night and I was very glad to take it, regardless of it's proximity to the cemetery. I set up camp and took a shower from their hose.

After their meeting, they brought me snacks and another gentleman offered me 20$. I was very glad to accept them. I love seeing God's people taking care of the needy (i.e. me:)

Just after sunset, I went to one of the restaurants for a little snack. The kitchen was closed but the waitress offered to serve me anyways, and extended the same offer to three young men at the counter. The guys joined me at my table and as they started to ask questions, one of them was particularly fascinated. They offered a futon for the night, and although my tent was already set up, I could not turn them down. so I joined them and the rest of the party at their house.

The oddest thing about this experience was that some of them were strangely suspicious of me. At one point, I was almost driven back to my tent because some of them were uncomfortable thinking that I was an undercover cop (there was some 'smoking' there as well.) After the 'Paranoid Petes' left the house, I was allowed to resume my spot on the futon.

This morning, my ride back to the tent didn't wake up until noon; so I had a bit of a late start.

I walked most of the way today, finding that this road is not a great one for rides nor for walking; tiny shoulders all over again. But about five miles from Salem, a repair van pulled over. Oddly enough, he was the same man that I had asked a question of in Akron the day before. He was on his way home and offered a ride into town.

On the way in, he made a couple calls to find out where I could stay. He perked up after a short conversation with his pastor, and I relaxed a bit knowing that it was taken care of. Apparently, all of the church's here sponsor a program through the local police department to put up anyone walking through town. The officers gave me a voucher and I was directed to my own hotel room!

It feels so strange to be alone and not in a tent. And it's great to have my own bathroom and shower! I'd love to stay around another day, but the voucher is only good for one night.

This has been a particularily difficult couple of days. I am not worried about provision or God's mighty hand of direction, but there is an entirely different aspect my relationship with Him that I still feel like I'm missing. He has most definitely proven His power and grand authority in his orchestrating of my travels, and I have been amazed by that; however, on another level, I need to know that He is close; that he is intimate. Currently it almost feels as if God has been my corporate sponsor, planning my trip from his corner office far far away. And lately I have really desired to know what his friendship is like. To be honest, if I had to chose, I would opt for one moment of true intimacy with Him than all the free meals in the world. I know it's there, and I know that He wants it too.

This may be the reason that he is leading the second phase of this journey. I have told you that I am looking forward to the Appalachian Trail, and I truly feel like God is leading me to experience it; but not to walk, just to sit. I don't know how much time I will have before winter once I reach the trail, but I plan on taking all the time that I can to be with him in the mountains.

This will be a challenge given my very extroverted nature, and I know that I will have to wrestle with myself more than I would like, but what better time than now. I want to walk freely, and if I have to face all the darkness in my head to do that, Bring It On!