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Time is drawing near...

It just seems like yesterday that we were looking for where God wanted us to be.  We kept talking about going to Honduras for the summer, or maybe even going to the Philipines to work with missionaries over there.  We planned a trip to Haiti, then during our plans to go to Haiti, we were given a mssion.  This mission certainly wasn't what either of us expected, but it is where God wanted us. 

Ken and I have spent the last few years searching for places we wanted to go, but we didn't search for where God wanted us.  We would talk about what we could do and how we could do it, but we never seemed to include God in our plans.. of course, we said we were going as missionaries, but we never really sat down and asked God where He wanted us. 

Then, it hit us...  we both started praying about it.  We both started asking God to guide us to where He wanted us.  That is when it happened. God told both of us, on the same day, at the same time, that He wanted us to go to Lesotho, Africa.  We saw pictures of Lesotho and we heard a little about it on that day and it all looked really cool.  We still didn't realize God wanted us to go there.  We just thought we were supposed to help get a group over there to help with problems of human trafficking. 

Little did we know that God had other plans.  We made a committment after talking to board members of a group going there.  Before we left the meeting, God has put it upon our hearts that we were going to move there.  Since then, we have researched about Lesotho.  We have met people from there, we have become friends of people who are moving there and we have done all we can to make this a reality. 

Actually, we have not done all we can, because we have taken steps as God has led us.  Ken's dreams are so vivid that I wish I could jump in them with him to see all the plans God has laid out for us.  I have to admit, I am a little scared at times.  Who wouldn't be?  I get a little anxious to get over there, but then I get a little anxious to stay here too.  After all, I am leaving everything that is familiar to me, except Ken and my clothes. 

Ken leaves soon to go find us a place to live.  He will be gone for a few weeks, then when he comes home, we will work on our plan for the move.  We will settle everything here, and make sure all necessary things are in place for our move.  We will spend some time with friends and family, then we will say goodbye for now. 

I am excited.  I am scared.  I am afraid that I will let God down, but I know that if God is for us, then who could be against us?  I also know that if I never come back to Oklahoma, that is ok too.  I am content to say, I lived my life according to what God called me to do. 

New Day, New Walk

Although I am finished with my walk to Houston, I will never be finished with my walk for God.  He has called each of us to take up our cross and follow.  For some, that may mean staying right where you are, for others, that may mean finding that perfect fit with you and society, reaching out to others.  However, for me and Kathy, that means, following God's call on our lives to reach out to those who are being harmed by human trafficking.  It also means, that we will be standing as protectors of those who will minister to the ones who are hurting and needing the sanctuary for their lives to be made whole again through Christ. 

We didn't ask God to place us in Lesotho, Africa.  We simply asked God to use us.  Most know the old saying, "be careful what you ask for, you might just get it."  Well, we can't be careful about that type of asking because if God needs us to do something, then we should be more than willing to say, "Yes, God!"  What good would it be to say, "Hey God...  I want you to use me, but only when it is comfortable, non-threatening, easy and full of happiness for me."  That is like saying, "Hey God...  I will do your will only if it is something I want to do, otherwise, don't ask, because I don't love you enough!" 

Not long ago, I heard Christine Caine, (a21campaine), speaking about how life is just a vapor.  She stated that people needed to rise up and be who God called them to be, not sit back in their safe little lifestyles.  Well, she was right.  Life is just a vapor, compared to what eternity is.  I have to say, we have wasted most of our lives just sitting around, pretending to be something we are not.  We pretend to be good Christians, but then we gripe about not having enough in our lives...  enough what?  Did God promise you that you would have everything your little heart desired?  NOPE, he sure didn't.  He said that you were not to worry about tomorrow, that he knew when even a sparrow fell, that he knows the number of hairs on your head.  However, he never said, I will give you everything you want.... because He won't do that.  He will give you what you need, if you are following Him and are living in His will for your life. 

Vapor, yep, that is what she said....  your life is a vapor.  Guess what.... that means, that if you wait till tomorrow to do something for God, then you may never do it.  It means that if you have to get out of school before you can serve God, or get married, or get your kids grown, you will always find another excuse, then your life will be over before you ever give God the respect He so much deserves. 

I am not saying that we (Ken & Kathy) are perfect or that we have led perfect lives full of God's will.  I am simply saying, we have finally realized that our lives are supposed to be lived for God's glory, not our own.  We have finally acknowledged God's call on our lives. 

Kathy has spent the last 28 years, somewhat ignoring God's call on her life.  She was told when she was only 15 that she would be a missionary.  She got married, had kids, got a divorce, repeated the cycle and now is looking back on her life, wondering where she would be now, if she had followed God's will for her life, instead of following her own desires.  No, she doesn't have regrets, because what she went through, God is using now.  However, she does hurt for those she did not help along the way.  She does fear that maybe she should have done more back then and that she can't make up for lost time.  However, God has called her again, and has said He can still used this broken and used vessel of His, to bring glory to His name, so she gladly follows now. 

Ken has spent even more time ignoring God's call on his life.  He thought it would be easy to run away from God because he was mad at Him.  He thought he could hide behind friends, boats, bikes, parties, drinking, work and anything else that would help him forget his call.  However, God's call on his life was simply stronger and more appealing than anything else.  God placed Ken and Kathy together for a specific reason, so that they both would heed His call on their lives.  Together, with their faith in God, they have decided to follow Jesus, to follow God's call on their lives and to not let anyone or anything stand in their way. 

Now, that being said, we want to make it very clear here....  God has called us all to live a life for Him.  Some are called to be the best dad they can be.  Some are called to say kind words to someone in need.  Some are called to lay down their lives for others.  Some are called to simply smile or hug the person that walks through the door.  If you really search your heart, meditate on what God given gifts you have, you will find where God has called you to.  Will you stop being a vapor and become a walk for God? 

To those who opposed me...

I want to give a message to those who tried to scare me, intimidate me, threaten me...  Bring it on.  If you think your threats harmed me, or stopped me in any way, you are wrong.  I will not stop, nor will anyone else stop because you tried to get me to stop.  I believe you added more fuel to the fire.  I believe that because of you, I am now more passionate about this cause and I will spend the rest of my life fighting for it, as will my family and friends. 

Psalms 91:11
Romans 12:18-20

Last Day?... or a New Beginning!

After ten days, I am not sure what type of emotions to have as I make my final stretch of the walk.  I am overwhelmed with emotion.  On one hand, I don't feel like I did enough to let people know there are men, women and children out there being victimized on a constant basis.  On the other hand, I am glad it's done!  All I want to do is go home and be in a place of familiarity and not walk. 

I see the end of this journey as the beginning of an entirely different life for myself and Kathy.  I did what God asked, even though I questioned myself and God at times.  However, I saw God's hand in every step I took.  He guided me to where I needed to be.  He talked to me when I couldn't go any further and helped me make it just a few more steps. 

I learned that sometimes the people you least expect to help, will be the ones that step up in great ways.  I learned that the ones you thought would be there to support you and give you encouragement not only let you down, but they act as if what you just did was nothing.  I also learned that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of what I did, because I was obedient to the call on my life and God is proud of me and loves me. 

I saw people go out of their way to make sure that I knew they were praying for me.  I got text messages, calls, encouragement via Twitter and Facebook.  I had some have to encourage me by letting me down, making me mad or just flat out not being there for me when I "thought" I needed their help.  I will admit, there were times when I tried to use the convenience of Kathy as a crutch to not walk anymore.  However, God was also working on her too and she didn't allow that to happen.  Each time she said no, there was a reason for her saying it... like people stopping to pay for a meal or someone who was there that I needed to talk to.  It amazes me that God can take a tense situation and make it all about Him. 

Life lesson that I will carry with me forever and hope to get to teach others...  God calls us to be obedient.  It doesn't matter how old we are or how fit we are, God gives us everything we need, to do what he has called us for.  You just have to make the decision to do it.  I was the least prepared for this journey.  I HATE walking.  I used to fight Kathy all the time when she would ask me to go walk with her.  I have a thousand excuses why not to do what I did, but those did not hold me back.  Just to name a few, I was out of shape, have diabetes, didn't have money, would lose my job, had no clue how to get there on foot, just flat out didn't want to do it, didn't have the time and simply didn't think I could do it.  However, God provided all that I needed and will continue to provide all that I need.  It doesn't matter if you are educated, rich, poor, happy, sad, over weight, sick, crippled, injured or any other millions of excuses, God can and will use you and equip you, no matter what His call is on your life!  He will walk with you and carry you through even when you think He is not there, even when you injure your knee and can not walk, He will help you to finish the journey. 

I will tell you now, when I twisted my knee and fell, I was done.  Kathy had just brought me a few things to help me and she watched as I limped off, this was on the third day of my journey.  I told her daily that I could not handle the pain, but she told me rely on God.  There were days I cried, there were days, I simply asked God to just give me a place to sit for a few minutes.  Another lesson I learned, be careful what you ask for, be very specific because He gave me a place to sit... right out in the open, with no breeze, no shade, but it was a place to sit, so I asked again, this time I asked for a cool place to sit.  He provided me a cool spot, with shade and a breeze.  I think He has a sense of humor. 

Ben, Thanks so much for not giving out my phone number.  I really don't think I would have had much of a phone left if I had gotten all the calls that would have come in.  I know how much everyone was behind me.  I know at night when I would look at the messages or Kathy would tell me about people who were calling, it would lift my spirits and give me that much more encouragement to keep going.  I sometimes believe that the fact that I didn't want to let my friends down made me try even harder.  However, the truth is, my driving force was to not let God down, because He had not let me down. 

I walked alot by faith, not by sight, because most of what I saw were people's discards, lost items, dead animals and crazy drivers.  I think I could have equipped an entire tool box with all the lost tools I found.  However, I just didn't have the energy to pick them up and add them to my backpack.  It was heavy enough.  I could have eaten alot of "road kill" soup, but the thought was just not appetizing.  I also saw the destruction of our land with all the discarded waste that people were just too lazy to put in a trash can.  As for the drivers lack of care for anyone, that was the saddest part to me.  Many would not even pay attention and nearly run me over.  Others were in such a hurry that they were trying to run other cars over.  No wonder so many people get injured in construction zone accidents.... I was most amazed at how some of the truck drivers were driving....  running over the line, not paying attention, and wide loads not giving me any room to walk.  I actually had one come within inches of hitting me and I was on the grass. 

My day ended with a flight home.  I was a little upset because I was leaving Kathy behind to drive home, I was not mad, but I guess I felt guilty about it.  I really felt bad when she had to bring me a key after leaving because I had no way of getting in the house when I made it home.  I have to say, Thanks God for not letting her get lost when she came back. 

As I went to the gate to check in, my free ticket for 5:10 pm was bumped up the the 1:00 pm flight that had been delayed to 2:30 p.m., so I was able to leave much quicker than expected.  I tried to find out who changed my ticket, but nobody could tell me.  Not one person had an answer for me, so I will just say, it was another God thing.  Of all the places for me to sit, I was placed in a window seat, beside a man that was reading a book.  I am usually the type that leaves people alone, but I just happen to glance at this book and see something that sparked my interest, it had a reference to God in it, so I struck up a conversation.  Come to find out, this guy, Carl is a manager of a Mardel, (my wifes favorite place to shop... ok, mine too) He and I talked about my journey and we talked about the book he was reading.  I have to laugh, because the book he was reading is Max Lucado's newest book and that just happens to be Kathy's favorite author.  Carl told me that this book talked about what I had just done.  He then gave it to me, even though he was not finished reading it, because I told him Kathy was an avid reader of Max Lucado.  I was thrilled to be able to take this home to Kathy, the book is Out Live Your Life.  I want to thank Carl for the conversation, the book and the encouragement he gave me.  I have to also say, Kathy will get the book when I am done reading it.  I have not been able to put it down since I started reading it. (I don't like to read) 

I want to end this blog by saying, this is not the end.  I will be adding more to my blog, because I have a feeling that my journey has just began.  However, I want to quote Max Lucado from his book Out Live Your Life..... 

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.  Don't let satan convince you otherwise.  He will try.  He will tell you that God has an IQ requirement or an entry fee, that He employees only specialists and experts, governments and high powered personalities.  When satan whispers such lies, dismiss him with this truth, God stampeded the first century society with swaybacks, not thoroughbreds.  Before Jesus came along, the disciples were loading trucks, coaching soccer, and selling slurpy drinks at the local convenience store. Their collars were blue and their hands were calloused, and there is no evidence that Jesus chose them because they were smarter or nicer than the guy next door.  The one thing they had going for them was a WILLINGNESS to take a step when Jesus said, "follow me." " (emphasis on willingness mine)

"Are you more dinghy than cruise ship?  More stand-in than movie star?  More plumber than executive?  More blue jean than blue blood?  Congratulations.  God changes the world with folks like you." 

Random Pictures from the trip...





Cool, more music to listen to...  Can't believe someone would actually throw this away!



Will I ever make it?



Beautiful Sunrise...

Beef Jerky! Centerville, Tx.  Great stuff!



Wonder if this place has a bathroom?



Can you see me?



Talk about empty headed...



His head is taller than me.

This guy was watching me the entire time!

Houston! It just seems like yesterday I was in Oklahoma... NOT

Did anyone know that Huntsville is one big prison?  Well, actually I saw at least three different Huntsville Prisons.  I am not sure if I should have been hiking through there or not.  I did have a great reception at the hotel I stayed in.  I figured they would take one look at me and think...  "this guy might be one of the escapees.." 

I had to make my way through tons of construction today, so I had lots of help from Kathy because it was just too dangerous for me to try to get through it all.  Many of the roads didn't have any side roads to walk on either, so that made it even more important for Kathy to let me back in the car.  She was not going to allow me, until she drove the road and realized just how close I would be to the traffic. 

I went past the giant statue of Sam Houston...  still sort of creeps me out that someone would want to have a giant statue looking over them when they sleep.  I have to admit, Kathy and I jumped in the car and went backwards to the statue, so we could see the little, and I mean little, museum.  The pictures will have to be posted later because they won't load.

After walking for a while...  I began thinking...  it sure would be nice to find a bathroom.  Here is the closest thing I found...  not sure which would be better...  using the shack or going to the Sam Houston National Forest.  I did see a picnic area, but that doesn't do any good, since there are no facilities. 

As I got closer to Conroe, it was quite evident that there was no way that I would be able to walk on the road.  I have never seen so much construction anywhere.  Oh wait, I live in Oklahoma, there is no such thing as a road without construction. 

Somewhere between Conroe and Houston, it started raining, so I will admit, today was a short day.  I don't think I could have walked through the construction, with all the traffic, in the rain.  Kathy was stressed about it all too, so I gave in to her and I climbed in the car for my final miles to the hotel.  Tomorrow, I will walk down the road that leads to George Bush Intercontinental Airport.  I will be at the welcome sign at Lee and Will Clayton prkwy at 10:00 a.m. 

Then, Kathy will take me to Hobby Airport and she will head home, in the car.  I will be flying home, thanks to some great people, Terry and Cheryl Bond!  Thanks so much!  I really, really appreciate you letting me have your frequent flyer miles!  I will be leaving out around 5:10 and be home at 6:25.  Kathy will be driving so I will be getting home a few hours before her.  Do me a favor, keep her in your prayers for safe travel.  Thanks! 

I will have a few more posts to this, because I have some reflections to make, not to mention lessons I learned and a message for the men who tried to intimidate me with their threats.