| All journal entries are in reverse order, with the latest entry at the top. Clicking the "Location" link will take you to a map where you can see details of the area from which Wesley posted the entry. Thanks for all of your support! | ||
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Week 1: March 24th through March 30th |
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| 3/30/03 Sun |
Journal
Entry from Wesley Good morning. I'm about to head out for the day. I didn't connect with anyone in town(or anything). I'm just really not comfortable here. I think I might have mentioned that. But, I took a shower this morning and that was an experience. They must of had a mix up when building the motel and they accidentally installed a riot hose in the shower. Oops. I didn't even need to use a washcloth. I'm on a brand new layer of skin. woohoo. Hopefully, I can find a gas station or something to stock up for my next day of no services. Second Journal Entry Well, today was a busy day. Where to start? I found the rest of Swainsboro this morning. So, it's not as empty as I thought but I'm definitely right in that it's dying (some friends that I made in Adrian affirmed that). I got started at a good time and even found a grocery store. I've been craving grapefruit and I finally found some today. Wow, this day is sounding really exciting so far. Anyway, as I was headed out of town, I came to a church that was just starting service. I wondered for a moment if I should go in and felt what could be described as a divine kick in the seat of my soul's pants. I met lots of very nice people. Very welcoming and some good conversation. I'm glad that I got the chance to go. So, I didn't get headed out of town until just after 12. Not many hours of daylight for me to go 16 miles to Adrian. I prayed for swiftness and God provided. I walked the whole way and only stopped twice. Once for only 5 minutes. So, I was totally worn out as I walked into Adrian with the sun setting. I asked around about places to stay but didn't have any luck. I got some food at the convenience store and walked to the police station to see what they could offer. Adrian has 2 police officers and neither could be found. I guess they were on patrol. Somebody recognized me from Swainsboro (imagine that) and showed me a baseball field where he thought I could stay. I'm behind the bat house next to the dugout. Another first. This is the most inside of a town that I've camped and it freaks me out more than any of the horror movie sets. If I had really stopped to think and listen to God, I'd probably have done a few things differently today. It's an interesting lesson about God's will and our free will. He loves us and guides us. He doesn't say that we have to guess the one right way to do things in order to receive His blessing. He provides all the time to those who are faithful. I'm gettin really sleepy. I'm going to Dublin tomorrow. I wonder what it'll be like. |
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| 3/29/03 Sat |
Journal
Entry from Wesley good afternoon, I'm just sitting
here in the shade watching cars. It's a good thing I find cars to be endlessly
fascinating.(note sarcasm) I did get a little transcendental sitting in
a pine forest earlier today. I love them. I set down my pack and walk
around on the pine needles listening to the breeze. Then, I lay down and
watch the trees sway. I'd go further in detail but I'd sound like a weirdo(like
that's actually a worry). ..(Second Post) Not to sound conceited but,
It's a good thing I have so much optimistic spirit. God keeps it constant
and it's what keeps me walking. Honestly, I'm having one of those times
where if I weren't sitting in a restaurant I'd be crying just because
I'm so tired and hurting. I'd better stop thinking about it or it might
stop mattering that I'm in a restaurant. The thought of not knowing where
I'm going to sleep doesn't bother me at all. That's an amazing feeling.
However, Sugar Ray just came on the radio here. Now, I wish I could die.
This frat-boy blah makes me want to cry. Whew, I almost stayed serious
there. I can't figure this town out. I get the feeling that there's a
lot more of it hiding somewhere. By that, I mean a lot more of generally
nothing. I've already walked a couple miles off of the Highway and I've
found very little. Well, it's later. I'm staying
in the Western Inn. It's no Comfort Inn but it's a heck of a lot cheaper.
I talked to people and tried to figure out this town to no avail. I just
couldn't get a feel of where I should stay. Usually, I can see where people
wouldn't mind me being. Not here. |
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| 3/28/03 Fri |
Journal
Entry from Wesley Well, today wasn't what I expected. Not that any day really has been or that I have a lot of expectations anyways. I'd summarize it as "one of those days that all you do is hurt". Y'know what I mean? I can't figure out why, really. I've just been eating out of my pack all day(which gets a little old). But, I'm not even doing that many miles. I've come about 10 miles and I'm on my third break. I still have 4 or 5 more miles to town and there's a gas station there. But, when I woke up, it was overcast so I prayed that God would show me what to do for tonight. About 20 minutes later, the clouds broke, the sun came out, and a nice breeze kept me cool. We'll see where I stay tonight. I know God will provide. I love these pine forests. They're so great for naps. I'm in the ruins of a cinderblock house of some sort in the woods. People can't see me. hehe, I like playing "hide from the cars"! I'm gonna nap for a couple of minutes then head on. I'm gettin hungry. More later. ... (Second Post) Well, it's later and I'm back on a horror movie set. Whoah, I just got dejavu about me having a dream and doing all this. Anyway, I made it to Twin City and it's not like any twin city I've ever seen. There's definitely no twin. There's not even a distant cousin. It's surrounded by a lot of nothing. Not a single store or anything from Portal to here. From what I hear, that's gonna be the norm for me soon. I'd better get used to it. I was thinking maybe it's "twin" because, like the sign entering town says, "twice as friendly, twice as nice". Still, I have a sneaking suspicion that the town was called Twin City before they realized all this twice business. I didn't let them know I was onto them. I just play along. I've had more fried chicken this past week than any other time in my life. I can't believe it. They fry everything. Last night, I asked what the "steak burger" was out of curiosity. It's a deep fried hamburger. Jackie O! That's terrible. I guess I should say something about my day. Well, God always answers prayers. I got to town, got some ice cream, went to the restaurant and met some nice folks. The lady working is named Betty Jo and her son and his best friend stopped in. They drove me a out a bit, while my dinner was cooking, to show me a park with bathrooms where I could camp. I never would've known it was here. So, another night away from the highway. I haven't had to listen to traffic at all so far. I had a nice conversation with Betty Jo when I got back and she'll be praying for me. When, I got ready to pay, she gave me a discount without saying anything. Then, she gave me a couple of donuts that she had bought and wished me well. A very sweet lady. A good end to a tough day. I'll hit the last gas station
in town in the morning just as I head out and
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| 3/27/03 Thur |
Journal Entry from Wesley Well, I don't know where to start. So, I'll start with "praise the Lord!" Today was an amazing day. The type of day that hits me in the head and reminds me why I'm walking. I got a late start this morning. I was taking advantage of the bed which was big enough for me to sleep either way (I settled on diagonally). Anyway, I made it through Statesboro pretty quickly and didn't take many breaks all day. Then, the clouds filled the sky. I had been expecting showers since I read the complimentary newspaper; however, I wasn't expecting pouring rain (shoulda known better than to trust USA Today which doesn't even have a comics page.) So, I got my raincoat on but didn't bother with the pants. It started pouring and my shorts got soaked. No big deal, but I still sent up a prayer about what to do tonight. Boy, did God answer. I stopped into an antiques and craft shop to get out of the rain and met the Andersons. They let me use the bathroom there and when I came back they asked me about the reflective tape cross on my rain cover. They told me that they were Christians and offered me a place to stay in the town to which I was headed. They were having a house renovated but hadn't moved in yet. The rain stopped and I headed back out and immediately fell into worship after seeing how God provided. It was another 7 miles to town and I was making good time. I stopped at a gas station to send a quick email and changed my mind and called my mom instead. 4 miles later, I realized that I had left my Pocketmail device sitting in the payphone in my excitement. Boy, did I have a prayer then. I kept on walking, trusting that God would take care of it. I met up with the Andersons in town. They had made up a fold-out bed on the floor (with enough pillows to build a pillow golem) and showed me the shower (which has great acoustics). Then, Mr. Anderson took me over to the cafe and treated me to dinner. I had some very nice conversation with the cooks and a police officer eating there. While I was eating, Mr. Anderson drove back to the gas station to find my Pocketmail. And he did! I don't think I'll see the Andersons again but I sure thanked them. They even left a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for me. So many answers to prayer so quickly. I'm drying out my socks on the heat vent as I write. Wow, that was a long post. I still don't think I got it all in. |
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| 3/26/03 Wed |
Journal
Entry from Wesley I had a great day of walking. I spent the night in the woods behind an abandoned chemical plant or something. I guess I have a thing for horror movie sets. I met lots of people today. Had a great country cooking lunch and tnere was a great breeze going all day. That makes it so much easier to walk. I took a short nap in a pine forest and made up a short song called "Jackie O". It's a real sweet ditty. I made it to Statesboro early afternoon and couldn't get in contact with anyone here. Eventually, I turned around and walked back across town and a couple miles out of town to a Country Inn. I hadn't stopped for a rest for 3 hours. I squealed when I saw my room. I might be a sissy but this is awesome. I'm so busy taking baths and reading the free newspaper that I almost didn't get to this post. So, yeah, today was awesome. I'm feeling excited. I can feel people praying for me throughout the day. That's all I have for now. I'll write again soon.
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| 3/25/03 Tue |
Journal Entry from Wesley: Hi- It's Wednesday morning, the 26th and I'm getting ready to walk. I just finished bandaging my feet. Yesterday wasn't so good mile-wise but I met a lot of nice people. Lots of encouragement. It was very sunny with no shade for most of the day. That gets old. I'll make it to Statesboro today and I hope to have a contact there. Maybe I can dry out my clothes. Well, I'm getting pretty hungry and it's still 5 miles to the next town. I'll write again soon. Note from Wesley's mother, 10:15 am: Wesley just called home from Brooklet, GA. He was in good spirits and had already walked about six miles today and found plenty to eat. He slept in a field behind an abandoned chemical plant. Sleeping was difficult because of the large open and raw areas on his feet from blisters that hurt when his heels touched down. He is treating them. Blisters will be one of his greatest challenges. Pray for healing, relief from the pain and that the areas will soon become calloused. He plans another 10 miles or so today.
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| 3/24/03 Mon. |
I received this journal entry from Wesley on Tues, May 25th: Well, here I am sitting in
my tent listening to the beasts of the night. I'm near some kinda large
animal burrow. Oh, and I'm in a graveyard. The perfect place for sleeping.
It was a pretty good start. I can still count my blisters on one hand.
I'll be enrolling the left hand tomorrow. I've met some nice people so
far. I've received many "best |
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Week 1: March 24th through March 30th |