On the way!
till I arrive back at home.
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Following Jesus...
When I was sixteen, I got to know Jesus by reading his biography, the first four books of the New Testament. I often wondered how it would have been to have actually walked with Jesus, heard his words and been part of his encounters with people. It would have certainly been life changing. A bit of that I was able to experience in 2023 on Snail-Trail 1 as I walked from my home in Germany to the west coast of Spain, and in 2024 on Snail-Trail 2 as I walked again from Germany and then through the Balkans to the city of Corinth in Greece. Both were amazing experiences. Even though I could not see Jesus, I sensed his presence, leading and enabling. I got to be a part of his encounters with people through conversations and prayers that I had with them.
Snail-Trail 3.0...
Following Jesus does not end by reaching a certain destination, completing a certain task or reaching a certain age. The call continues. The path leads on. This year I will head north, starting in Tallinn, Estonia and then walking back to my home in southern Germany. My steps on Snail-Trail 3 will take me through the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and then through Poland and the Czech Republic before crossing over the Bohemian and Bavarian Forests into Germany. I plan to arrive back home by the last week of September. I invite you to join me on this walk-talk-pray journey by way of the photos, thoughts and film clips on the blog.
Baltics…
At one point I will be walking through a narrow land corridor leading from Lithuania to Poland between the Russian exclave Kaliningrad to the west and Belarus to the east. This land strip is a reminder of the volatile history of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – marked by periods of independence, foreign domination, and the struggle for self-determination. The Baltic States gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990–1991 and became a part of the EU and NATO in 2004. Current political developments threaten the fragile stability of the region. The past influence of communistic-atheistic thought has eroded the seedbed for faith. Estonia for instance has been called the least religious country in the world. A similar spiritual challenge can be found in Poland and the Czech Republic, two former Warsaw Pact countries that I will be walking through. Our prayer is that God’s grace and goodness will be at work in this region of Europe. Please join me in this prayer journey.
Together...
Prayer: I would greatly appreciate your prayers as well…
- Pray that God will be in the daily details, for God appointments along the way, for hearts to be touched by God’s heart.
- Pray for church planting efforts in the Baltics, Poland and Czech Republic.
- Pray for protection from wild animals and drivers and extreme weather conditions.
- Pray that my 68 year old bones and muscles will make it through another Snail-Trail!
Project: If you would like to be a part of what the Assemblies of God is doing in this region of Europe (church planting, children/youth/student outreaches…), please click on this link to make an online donation: https://giving.ag.org/donate/600001-226052?class=88
You can make a one-time contribution or wait to see how far I go for a per kilometer pledge. Please click on the option “88 Snail Trail”. Many thanks!
Blog
30.
Jun
Lauči - Carnikava
Photo 1: Today the Snail-Trail followed almost completely the shoreside.
Photo 2: The wind was the strongest today that I have had so far on this journey.
Photo 3 / Video: For a number of hours I walk through the forest next to the beach. The wind was a bit less, it was the only way I could get around some of the water Outfits to the sea, and I could walk faster than on the sand.
Needless to say there were not many people on the path. At one point, though, I did come across a man and a woman with their daughter. There were looking for wild strawberries in the forest. Communication was limited, but they understood I was walking from Tallinn back to my home in Germany. I explained that I was not alone, that Jesus was with me, and then asked if Jesus was also with them. The woman spoke better English and responded: "I hope he is here somewhere!" After a few brief comments from me, I offered to pray for them as a family. That they did not want... which is completely fine. Jesus never forced his grace and goodness on people. He always left the decision with the individual to follow him or not. If you want to find wild strawberries in the woods, you have to go looking for them. It is similar in the spiritual realm. Jesus said: "Seek, and you will find." He uses a verb form which expresses continued activity. "Be seeking, and you will find." The problem is that too many people stop seeking and before they find what they are looking for. Just hoping that Jesus might be with you and actively seeking to know him are two diffent heart issues. The latter will find.
I prayed for the family, Latvia and the people who live here as I continued on. You can always pray.
Photo 4: I am standing at the famous White Sanddune in Latvia. The whole forest is actually sanddunes where trees have grown.
Photo 5: Two kite Surfers enjoying the strong winds...
Photo 2: The wind was the strongest today that I have had so far on this journey.
Photo 3 / Video: For a number of hours I walk through the forest next to the beach. The wind was a bit less, it was the only way I could get around some of the water Outfits to the sea, and I could walk faster than on the sand.
Needless to say there were not many people on the path. At one point, though, I did come across a man and a woman with their daughter. There were looking for wild strawberries in the forest. Communication was limited, but they understood I was walking from Tallinn back to my home in Germany. I explained that I was not alone, that Jesus was with me, and then asked if Jesus was also with them. The woman spoke better English and responded: "I hope he is here somewhere!" After a few brief comments from me, I offered to pray for them as a family. That they did not want... which is completely fine. Jesus never forced his grace and goodness on people. He always left the decision with the individual to follow him or not. If you want to find wild strawberries in the woods, you have to go looking for them. It is similar in the spiritual realm. Jesus said: "Seek, and you will find." He uses a verb form which expresses continued activity. "Be seeking, and you will find." The problem is that too many people stop seeking and before they find what they are looking for. Just hoping that Jesus might be with you and actively seeking to know him are two diffent heart issues. The latter will find.
I prayed for the family, Latvia and the people who live here as I continued on. You can always pray.
Photo 4: I am standing at the famous White Sanddune in Latvia. The whole forest is actually sanddunes where trees have grown.
Photo 5: Two kite Surfers enjoying the strong winds...
29.
Jun
Photo 1: This is where Sisyphus finally stopped rolling the rock. We all need a break sometime. In fact, it does us good when we have a day of rest once a week. This was God's idea, and a real good one. Today I did not lift my backpack once...
Photo 2: When I was a kid in the second or third grade, our family took a vacation on Rohobeth Beach in Delaware, USA. Up until then I had only swam in a pool or lake. I just could not accept salt water as a substance to swim in. So I just sat there on the beach. Eventually I got bored and decided to explore. I took a long walk, and real long one. I discoved that beaches can go on forever. At one point I turned around and walked back. My parents started to cry. They thought a wave had sucked me out to sea. My dad had notified all the life guards in the vicinity. I have no clue how far I went or how long I was gone. Maybe that was the start of it all... taking long walks along water streams, rivers, lakes and beaches, wanting to explore God's creation... and making people happy when I come back. Little things in life can become big things. That is why those little things need to be good things...
Photos 3: Two swans take flight...
Photo 4: Maybe a promise of better weather coming next week...
Photo 5: There are two, maybe three nice things about the wind:
* It keeps the mosquitoes away.
* It goes from north to south pushing me towards Riga.
* It might bring better weather.
Update on my hand: The wound seems to be healing well in spite of it working with a trekking stick 7 to 8 hours and day. I do not see any infication of an infection for which I thank God. On Tuesday next week I arrive in Riga. I plan to have the stitches taken out the next morning. Thank you for praying for me!
Photo 2: When I was a kid in the second or third grade, our family took a vacation on Rohobeth Beach in Delaware, USA. Up until then I had only swam in a pool or lake. I just could not accept salt water as a substance to swim in. So I just sat there on the beach. Eventually I got bored and decided to explore. I took a long walk, and real long one. I discoved that beaches can go on forever. At one point I turned around and walked back. My parents started to cry. They thought a wave had sucked me out to sea. My dad had notified all the life guards in the vicinity. I have no clue how far I went or how long I was gone. Maybe that was the start of it all... taking long walks along water streams, rivers, lakes and beaches, wanting to explore God's creation... and making people happy when I come back. Little things in life can become big things. That is why those little things need to be good things...
Photos 3: Two swans take flight...
Photo 4: Maybe a promise of better weather coming next week...
Photo 5: There are two, maybe three nice things about the wind:
* It keeps the mosquitoes away.
* It goes from north to south pushing me towards Riga.
* It might bring better weather.
Update on my hand: The wound seems to be healing well in spite of it working with a trekking stick 7 to 8 hours and day. I do not see any infication of an infection for which I thank God. On Tuesday next week I arrive in Riga. I plan to have the stitches taken out the next morning. Thank you for praying for me!
28.
Jun
Klintis - Lauči
Photo 1: The day started off very windy, cool and overcast...
Photo 2: The ducks did not seem to mind very much.
Photo 3: Probably the closest thing to the cliffs in Rügen for those who know this Island in Germany...
Photo 4: Needless to say there were not many people on the beach the first part of the day. Then I met Klaus and Tatjana from Switzerland. It was by one of those water runoffs where I had to time the outflow of water from the land and the inflow from the surf, run and jump over the steam... I almost made it. My right foot landed partially in the water. Klaus was watching my performace and applauded my efforts. We started talking and then his wife came to the beach and joined us. We talked about my Camino walk through Switzerland, the Baltics, God, the world and Jesus. Then we prayed together. It was a special God moment.
Photo 5: The sun did eventually come out and there were more people walking on the beach. That is when I crossed paths with this young couple from Latvia. They were practicing for a backpack trip in Iceland. I told them I was doing the Camino from Tallinn to Germany. It was the first time they heard of the Way of St. James. I explained to them what a pilgrim was, a person walking on a long journey to pray and become more connected to God. I asked them if God was a part of their life, whether they had found the answers to life's questions or even knew what those questions might be. We had a great conversation. Afterwards I prayed for them and their journey through life, that they might know God's love and grace. They wanted then to have this picture taken to remember the moment... always a good sign. I was so happy. They were the first people from Latvia that I was really able to talk to about spiritual truths. There are many young people in Latvia like them, for whom God is not yet a topic in their lives. Pray that this generation will be awakened to spiritual life and reality.
A few kilometers further I crossed paths with a Latvian in his forties. Ours eyes connected and I stopped to say hello. He stopped as well and spoke very good English. He had actually been to David Wilkerson's church on Times Square in New York. He knew what it meant to walk with Jesus, just was not so active at the moment. I prayed with him that he would live in the purpose for which God had created him.
Photo 2: The ducks did not seem to mind very much.
Photo 3: Probably the closest thing to the cliffs in Rügen for those who know this Island in Germany...
Photo 4: Needless to say there were not many people on the beach the first part of the day. Then I met Klaus and Tatjana from Switzerland. It was by one of those water runoffs where I had to time the outflow of water from the land and the inflow from the surf, run and jump over the steam... I almost made it. My right foot landed partially in the water. Klaus was watching my performace and applauded my efforts. We started talking and then his wife came to the beach and joined us. We talked about my Camino walk through Switzerland, the Baltics, God, the world and Jesus. Then we prayed together. It was a special God moment.
Photo 5: The sun did eventually come out and there were more people walking on the beach. That is when I crossed paths with this young couple from Latvia. They were practicing for a backpack trip in Iceland. I told them I was doing the Camino from Tallinn to Germany. It was the first time they heard of the Way of St. James. I explained to them what a pilgrim was, a person walking on a long journey to pray and become more connected to God. I asked them if God was a part of their life, whether they had found the answers to life's questions or even knew what those questions might be. We had a great conversation. Afterwards I prayed for them and their journey through life, that they might know God's love and grace. They wanted then to have this picture taken to remember the moment... always a good sign. I was so happy. They were the first people from Latvia that I was really able to talk to about spiritual truths. There are many young people in Latvia like them, for whom God is not yet a topic in their lives. Pray that this generation will be awakened to spiritual life and reality.
A few kilometers further I crossed paths with a Latvian in his forties. Ours eyes connected and I stopped to say hello. He stopped as well and spoke very good English. He had actually been to David Wilkerson's church on Times Square in New York. He knew what it meant to walk with Jesus, just was not so active at the moment. I prayed with him that he would live in the purpose for which God had created him.
27.
Jun
Kuiviži - Klintis
Photo 1: The nice gentle blue in the distance in the morning later became the rain in the afternoon...
Photo 2: Most of the day was walking down the beach... just me and Jesus.
Photo 3: At one point I needed to go through the woods to go around a larger waterway. The mosquitoes were there waiting for me. I tried out my mosquito net that goes over my head. It worked well... but I would rather walk without one.
Photo 4: Coming out of the woods and back to the beach
Photo 5: An old shack on the side of the road...
It had rained very softly on and off through much of the afternoon, but the last 90 minutes was steady and a bit heavier. I was completely wet when I arrived at the campground. All I wanted was a dry and warm place to spend the night. It was a large camping complex and completely empty. There were some cabins, but I would have to pay the full price even through I was just one person. I asked if there might be a special rate for a 68 year old pilgrim who would skeep on the floor in his own sleeping bag. She had compassion on me. I was able to sleep in a heated cabin on the floor, and the charge was fir that if a tent pitch. And I slept good... and I got all my things dry. I prayed for Evita, the owner, and asked God to bless her and her business. Her eyes turned red. It has been a rough season with so much rain and cool weather since the middle of May. She needs God's help just as I needed it this evening.
Photo 2: Most of the day was walking down the beach... just me and Jesus.
Photo 3: At one point I needed to go through the woods to go around a larger waterway. The mosquitoes were there waiting for me. I tried out my mosquito net that goes over my head. It worked well... but I would rather walk without one.
Photo 4: Coming out of the woods and back to the beach
Photo 5: An old shack on the side of the road...
It had rained very softly on and off through much of the afternoon, but the last 90 minutes was steady and a bit heavier. I was completely wet when I arrived at the campground. All I wanted was a dry and warm place to spend the night. It was a large camping complex and completely empty. There were some cabins, but I would have to pay the full price even through I was just one person. I asked if there might be a special rate for a 68 year old pilgrim who would skeep on the floor in his own sleeping bag. She had compassion on me. I was able to sleep in a heated cabin on the floor, and the charge was fir that if a tent pitch. And I slept good... and I got all my things dry. I prayed for Evita, the owner, and asked God to bless her and her business. Her eyes turned red. It has been a rough season with so much rain and cool weather since the middle of May. She needs God's help just as I needed it this evening.
26.
Jun
Rannakodu - Kuiviži
Photo 1: Today I arrived in Latvia. Walking through Estonia was no sweat. By that I do not mean that it was easy. At the end of a day having walked an average of 28 kilometers a day with a backpack weighing between 18 and 20 kilos depending upon how much food and water might be in it, is never easy. At the end of a day all I wanted to do was take a shower, eat, do a WhatsApp call to my wife and then go to bed... or sleeping bag. Falling and getting stitches was no fun either. What I meant was that the weather was so cool, overcast, windy and rainy that I did not sweat much at all. What is good about that is that I do not need so much water on the hike and I do not need to wash my clothes so much... no sweat, right!
Photo 2 / Video: There is really no path as such on the beach. You just have to find your way along. Not always is it so easy to walk or jump over a water inlet like in the video. Sometimes there are deep and wide and you have to find a way to get around them... or wade through the water which I did not want to do for various reasons. At a few points I ran into high and thick plant growth so that I had to turn back and find another way to go. This always brings a bit of suspence in the walk... will I get through or not?
Photo 3: I actually saw one yellow arrow on a rock on the beach to mark the Way of St. James.
Photo 4: The sun was shining today in Latvia, and I had a few short encounters with people: Two bike riders from Belgium for whom I was able to pray, a young Catholic family from Latvia who said there were folliwing Jesus as well, and these two bike riders in the photo from Poland. All I could say in my very broken Polish-Russian was: Good day! Jesus is my Lord! God be with you my brother!" They were so happy that they wanted to have this photo taken with me at the border to Estonia. It is aways a good sign when people want to have your picture taken after you have told them something about God or prayed with them.
Photo 5: The foundation to a railroad going out towards the sea that was never completed because World War 2 started.
Photo 2 / Video: There is really no path as such on the beach. You just have to find your way along. Not always is it so easy to walk or jump over a water inlet like in the video. Sometimes there are deep and wide and you have to find a way to get around them... or wade through the water which I did not want to do for various reasons. At a few points I ran into high and thick plant growth so that I had to turn back and find another way to go. This always brings a bit of suspence in the walk... will I get through or not?
Photo 3: I actually saw one yellow arrow on a rock on the beach to mark the Way of St. James.
Photo 4: The sun was shining today in Latvia, and I had a few short encounters with people: Two bike riders from Belgium for whom I was able to pray, a young Catholic family from Latvia who said there were folliwing Jesus as well, and these two bike riders in the photo from Poland. All I could say in my very broken Polish-Russian was: Good day! Jesus is my Lord! God be with you my brother!" They were so happy that they wanted to have this photo taken with me at the border to Estonia. It is aways a good sign when people want to have your picture taken after you have told them something about God or prayed with them.
Photo 5: The foundation to a railroad going out towards the sea that was never completed because World War 2 started.
25.
Jun
Tahkuranna -Rannakodu/Penu
Photo 1 / Video: Walk through the bogs...
Photo 2: Strong wind in the morning...
Photo 3: Once was a church...
Whenever I walk by the empty ruins of what was once a church, I wonder how that church had begun, who the people were that lived there and built it, how they lived out their faith and worshipped God at that place. I walked to where the altar had once been and sang my pilgrim song, imagining my voice joining those who once stood and sang there. I prayed for a new generation to rise up in Estonia to sing God's praise.
Photo 4: The St. James trail marking with the energy sorce coming from above...
Photo 5: I basically saw no one on the path today. Then I came to this old stone church and went over to it. I saw a small group of people there, but I could not tell what they were doing. When I got to the entry walk way, they also came towards me. It was a camera team. Before I knew it, two cameras were foccused on me. Simon and Roberta were doing a reality show, and all of a sudden I was part of it. They asked where I was going, why I was doing this and many other questions. I shared my story, talked about Jesus, explained what I was praying for the people of Estonia. At the end of the spontaneous Interview, I prayed for the two... all while the cameras were rolling. Whether anything will ever be posted or transmitted, I will never know. It was a God appointment. God wanted Simon and Roberta to hear from heaven today when they went to that church. That is spiritual reality.
Photo 2: Strong wind in the morning...
Photo 3: Once was a church...
Whenever I walk by the empty ruins of what was once a church, I wonder how that church had begun, who the people were that lived there and built it, how they lived out their faith and worshipped God at that place. I walked to where the altar had once been and sang my pilgrim song, imagining my voice joining those who once stood and sang there. I prayed for a new generation to rise up in Estonia to sing God's praise.
Photo 4: The St. James trail marking with the energy sorce coming from above...
Photo 5: I basically saw no one on the path today. Then I came to this old stone church and went over to it. I saw a small group of people there, but I could not tell what they were doing. When I got to the entry walk way, they also came towards me. It was a camera team. Before I knew it, two cameras were foccused on me. Simon and Roberta were doing a reality show, and all of a sudden I was part of it. They asked where I was going, why I was doing this and many other questions. I shared my story, talked about Jesus, explained what I was praying for the people of Estonia. At the end of the spontaneous Interview, I prayed for the two... all while the cameras were rolling. Whether anything will ever be posted or transmitted, I will never know. It was a God appointment. God wanted Simon and Roberta to hear from heaven today when they went to that church. That is spiritual reality.
24.
Jun
Pärnu Kesklinn - Tahkuranna
Photo 1: Today I arrived at the Baltic Sea...
Photo 2: You can tell by the window reflection of the Estonian woman that today was not a beach. Today is also a national holiday in Estonia, Midsummer's Day, where they will celebrate the dusk meeting the dawn. I have actually enjoyed the daylight going to late in the evening and the sunrise being at about 4.00 in the morning. I would wake up, because it is so bright and think: "Oh, I must have overslept!" Then I would like at the clock and say to myself: "Nice! I can stay in bed for another two hours or so!"
Photo 3: One of the paths along the coast
Photo 4: Shortly after I crossed this bridge, I sat on a bench to check my hiking app. An older Estonian man actually approached me, said hello and asked me where I was heading... and people he was with, probably relatives, kept on going. This was the first time that that happened on this trip. I quickly told him my story and wished him God's blessings so he could catch up with his family, now waiting about 75 meters away.
Photo 5: Path through the woods
I was able to avoid rain for most of the walk. It really rained hard in the evening, though. I was glad that the owner of the camp ground let me sleep in my sleeping bag in a vacant cabin that had not yet been made up after the last visitors. I had a good talk with the owner and was able to pray for him. He had spent about 10 years in the USA and Canada and could speak good English.
Photo 2: You can tell by the window reflection of the Estonian woman that today was not a beach. Today is also a national holiday in Estonia, Midsummer's Day, where they will celebrate the dusk meeting the dawn. I have actually enjoyed the daylight going to late in the evening and the sunrise being at about 4.00 in the morning. I would wake up, because it is so bright and think: "Oh, I must have overslept!" Then I would like at the clock and say to myself: "Nice! I can stay in bed for another two hours or so!"
Photo 3: One of the paths along the coast
Photo 4: Shortly after I crossed this bridge, I sat on a bench to check my hiking app. An older Estonian man actually approached me, said hello and asked me where I was heading... and people he was with, probably relatives, kept on going. This was the first time that that happened on this trip. I quickly told him my story and wished him God's blessings so he could catch up with his family, now waiting about 75 meters away.
Photo 5: Path through the woods
I was able to avoid rain for most of the walk. It really rained hard in the evening, though. I was glad that the owner of the camp ground let me sleep in my sleeping bag in a vacant cabin that had not yet been made up after the last visitors. I had a good talk with the owner and was able to pray for him. He had spent about 10 years in the USA and Canada and could speak good English.
23.
Jun
Pärnu-Jaagupi - Pärnu Kesklinn
Photo 1: This is Estonia... flat, green, and so far mostly cloudy skies.
Photo 2: Just because the path does not have much of a climb and may not be along a busy street, does not mean that the walking will be easy. Today I had to manage my way through a real swampy area and some high grass that was up to my chest. Because of the recent rain, water levels on the ground were also high. At one point I had to cross a waterway without a footbridge. There were some branches that had collected together in a bend, so I endeavored to cross there. My left foot fell through into the water. It went up almost to my knee. I could feel the water rushing into my shoe. This was, by the way, the official St. James Way. In the thick of it all I could hear a cuckoo bird singing out its song: "Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!" It seemed to fit the situation. It is kind of like when you take a wrong turn in a coastal town and a seagull perched up on a high wall looks down at you and does his bird "laugh". This is the humor of God reflected in his creation. I love it!
Photo 3: Today was the day to hang out the Estonian flag. It was a national holiday, Victory Day. This date signifies the day that Estonia and its allies were victorious in the Battle of Cēsis against the Baltische Landeswehr (Baltic-German forces) on June 23, 1919. This national holiday was celebrated from 1934 until 1940 when Russian forces invaded Estonia and took control of the country. Estonia regained its independence from Russia again in 1991. After this time, Victory Day was re-established as a national holiday. As I approached the coastal city of Pärnu, fighter jets from Turkey flew over me. They were part of a Nato military parade that had taken place there.
Photo 4: An Estonian woman crossing the bridge to Pärnu with an Estonian flag in her hand. On the other side of the bridge an older couple from Holland saw me and recognized the Way of St. James logo on my hat. We started talking about current events. I told them what Jesus said, that wars and conflicts between nations and people groups would take place until the end of history as we know it. Jesus compared the pains of human history to those of child birth: They come and go, always quicker the intervals and stronger the pain until there is the birth of the child. This is our hope. The best is still to come.. eternal God's kingdom of peace and righteousness! This gives me confidence in the here and now.
Photo 5: I stayed at a hostel in Pärnu. There I met Nate from Pennsylvania in the USA. He is also a long dustance hiker, but was going the other direction. Nate actually carries a small guitar with him and likes to sing wherever he goes, so far in over 90 places around the world. I asked him to sing me a song. He did. It was great... a hiker's perspective of the world in which we live. I shared with him my story and God's story from Adam to the amazing grace in Jesus Christ... and prayed a blessing for Nate's journey through life. He is still searching. Not every God-talk or prayer brings a turn or a tear. Still it is a knock from heaven on the door to a person's heart.
Photo 2: Just because the path does not have much of a climb and may not be along a busy street, does not mean that the walking will be easy. Today I had to manage my way through a real swampy area and some high grass that was up to my chest. Because of the recent rain, water levels on the ground were also high. At one point I had to cross a waterway without a footbridge. There were some branches that had collected together in a bend, so I endeavored to cross there. My left foot fell through into the water. It went up almost to my knee. I could feel the water rushing into my shoe. This was, by the way, the official St. James Way. In the thick of it all I could hear a cuckoo bird singing out its song: "Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Cuckoo!" It seemed to fit the situation. It is kind of like when you take a wrong turn in a coastal town and a seagull perched up on a high wall looks down at you and does his bird "laugh". This is the humor of God reflected in his creation. I love it!
Photo 3: Today was the day to hang out the Estonian flag. It was a national holiday, Victory Day. This date signifies the day that Estonia and its allies were victorious in the Battle of Cēsis against the Baltische Landeswehr (Baltic-German forces) on June 23, 1919. This national holiday was celebrated from 1934 until 1940 when Russian forces invaded Estonia and took control of the country. Estonia regained its independence from Russia again in 1991. After this time, Victory Day was re-established as a national holiday. As I approached the coastal city of Pärnu, fighter jets from Turkey flew over me. They were part of a Nato military parade that had taken place there.
Photo 4: An Estonian woman crossing the bridge to Pärnu with an Estonian flag in her hand. On the other side of the bridge an older couple from Holland saw me and recognized the Way of St. James logo on my hat. We started talking about current events. I told them what Jesus said, that wars and conflicts between nations and people groups would take place until the end of history as we know it. Jesus compared the pains of human history to those of child birth: They come and go, always quicker the intervals and stronger the pain until there is the birth of the child. This is our hope. The best is still to come.. eternal God's kingdom of peace and righteousness! This gives me confidence in the here and now.
Photo 5: I stayed at a hostel in Pärnu. There I met Nate from Pennsylvania in the USA. He is also a long dustance hiker, but was going the other direction. Nate actually carries a small guitar with him and likes to sing wherever he goes, so far in over 90 places around the world. I asked him to sing me a song. He did. It was great... a hiker's perspective of the world in which we live. I shared with him my story and God's story from Adam to the amazing grace in Jesus Christ... and prayed a blessing for Nate's journey through life. He is still searching. Not every God-talk or prayer brings a turn or a tear. Still it is a knock from heaven on the door to a person's heart.
22.
Jun
Video: Worship at the Pärnu-Jaagupi Lutheran Church.
Photo 1: I was glad for the day of rest today. The Lutheran minister from the church in Kivi-Virgala also serves the congregation in Pärnu-Jaagupi. So the service today took place at 2.00 pm. That meant that I could sleep a bit longer and take it easy this morning. You may notice the number 700 on the church tower. The congration dates its roots back to the 1300's when Christianty first took root in Estonia. Unfortunately that turn from paganism occurred mostly through the pain of the sword. I often wonder how church history and world history might have been had the church carried the cross instead of the sword.
Photo 2: I know it is difficult to read what is on this tablet. It is a listing of all the ministers of the Pärnu-Jaagupi church from 1567 all the way up to 2005. An update will soon be engraved. From 1567 to 1930 all of the ministers had German last names. What a heritage! I was impressed.
Photo 3: I thought I would post a few more pictures of Tallinn. This one was taken from the tower of the St. Olav Church.
Photo 4: Tallinn was a medieval fortress. It reminds of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany today.
Photo 5: The Estonian flag flying from a tower in Tallin. Blue represents the sky, sea, and lakes, symbolizing faith, loyalty, and devotion. Black symbolizes the soil, the nation's past, and the dark coats traditionally worn by Estonian peasants. White represents the striving for enlightenment and virtue, as well as the snow that covers Estonia for much of the year.
Photo 1: I was glad for the day of rest today. The Lutheran minister from the church in Kivi-Virgala also serves the congregation in Pärnu-Jaagupi. So the service today took place at 2.00 pm. That meant that I could sleep a bit longer and take it easy this morning. You may notice the number 700 on the church tower. The congration dates its roots back to the 1300's when Christianty first took root in Estonia. Unfortunately that turn from paganism occurred mostly through the pain of the sword. I often wonder how church history and world history might have been had the church carried the cross instead of the sword.
Photo 2: I know it is difficult to read what is on this tablet. It is a listing of all the ministers of the Pärnu-Jaagupi church from 1567 all the way up to 2005. An update will soon be engraved. From 1567 to 1930 all of the ministers had German last names. What a heritage! I was impressed.
Photo 3: I thought I would post a few more pictures of Tallinn. This one was taken from the tower of the St. Olav Church.
Photo 4: Tallinn was a medieval fortress. It reminds of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany today.
Photo 5: The Estonian flag flying from a tower in Tallin. Blue represents the sky, sea, and lakes, symbolizing faith, loyalty, and devotion. Black symbolizes the soil, the nation's past, and the dark coats traditionally worn by Estonian peasants. White represents the striving for enlightenment and virtue, as well as the snow that covers Estonia for much of the year.
21.
Jun
Kivi-Virgala - Pärnu-Jaagupi
Knocked down, but not knocked out...
I was walking on a dirt road yesterday, enjoying the hike and the day when suddenly... it happened. I fell. I hat spotted a low stone wall and thought about taking a short break and sitting on it. In that moment my foot hit a pothole in the road or a rock or both. Down I went. My right hand took the brunt of the fall, then my nose hit the ground. Now I know why I carry a first aid kit! After cleaning the wound with my drink water mixed with orange juice and stopping the blood flow from my hand, a car drove by. I was sitting on the ground with blood on my face and surrounded by bloody toilet paper. The driver looked at me and continued on. I guess I did not look desperate enough. I called the Lutheran Minister from the hostel connected with the Lutheran Church in Kivi-Vigala where I had planned to stay the night. She was unfortunately out of town, but she contacted her co-worker from the next town where I was planning to stay Saturday night. Her name is Epp. She is active in the St. James Society in Estonia and manages the church office in Pärnu-Jaagupi. Together with her husband Alan from Scottland, they came to pick me up. I continued walking to the main road where they could easily find me. They took me to the emergency care in their town. Two women went to work on me and sowed three stitches in my right hand. They warned me that it would hurt when they pushed the needle through my skin. It did... felt like a bee sting three times in the same spot. I sang my pilgrim song softly as they pulled the threads together. Afterwards I asked Epp to translate for me. I thanked the two emergency care workers for stitching me up and said a prayer of blessing for them. God's presence touched all of our hearts in that moment. This time I said it: Epp, Alan and the ladies at the emergency care... "They made my day! By the way, such an emergency treatment is free in Estonia. My thanks go to the country's taxpayers!
Walking with Jesus does not mean that there will never be pain on the path. It means that the power of the resurrection will be there to help us get back up and continue on. Perhaps there is someone reading these words and you needed to hear this...
Photo 3: One of the ladies at the emergency care
Photo 4: I look like I lost a fight, but I am still standing. I felt a lot better after a good night's rest. Since I am already at what would have been my destination point for today, I decided to just stay here and take an extra day of rest to allow my wounds to stabelize. Snail-Trail 3.0 will now only be 85 stages instead of 86...
Photo 5: Epp and Alan, my rescuers in a time of need.
I was walking on a dirt road yesterday, enjoying the hike and the day when suddenly... it happened. I fell. I hat spotted a low stone wall and thought about taking a short break and sitting on it. In that moment my foot hit a pothole in the road or a rock or both. Down I went. My right hand took the brunt of the fall, then my nose hit the ground. Now I know why I carry a first aid kit! After cleaning the wound with my drink water mixed with orange juice and stopping the blood flow from my hand, a car drove by. I was sitting on the ground with blood on my face and surrounded by bloody toilet paper. The driver looked at me and continued on. I guess I did not look desperate enough. I called the Lutheran Minister from the hostel connected with the Lutheran Church in Kivi-Vigala where I had planned to stay the night. She was unfortunately out of town, but she contacted her co-worker from the next town where I was planning to stay Saturday night. Her name is Epp. She is active in the St. James Society in Estonia and manages the church office in Pärnu-Jaagupi. Together with her husband Alan from Scottland, they came to pick me up. I continued walking to the main road where they could easily find me. They took me to the emergency care in their town. Two women went to work on me and sowed three stitches in my right hand. They warned me that it would hurt when they pushed the needle through my skin. It did... felt like a bee sting three times in the same spot. I sang my pilgrim song softly as they pulled the threads together. Afterwards I asked Epp to translate for me. I thanked the two emergency care workers for stitching me up and said a prayer of blessing for them. God's presence touched all of our hearts in that moment. This time I said it: Epp, Alan and the ladies at the emergency care... "They made my day! By the way, such an emergency treatment is free in Estonia. My thanks go to the country's taxpayers!
Walking with Jesus does not mean that there will never be pain on the path. It means that the power of the resurrection will be there to help us get back up and continue on. Perhaps there is someone reading these words and you needed to hear this...
Photo 3: One of the ladies at the emergency care
Photo 4: I look like I lost a fight, but I am still standing. I felt a lot better after a good night's rest. Since I am already at what would have been my destination point for today, I decided to just stay here and take an extra day of rest to allow my wounds to stabelize. Snail-Trail 3.0 will now only be 85 stages instead of 86...
Photo 5: Epp and Alan, my rescuers in a time of need.