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Video: Sheep Talk... Always a challenge to keep the sheep's attention. Every "shepherd" knows this.

I wanted to get an early start this morning. After breakfast and packing, extreme tiredness overcame me. It was 7.45 am and I decided to lay back down to close my eyes for a moment. Less than ten minutes later, I opened my eyes. A strong thought came to me: "Get up and go now." My tiredness was gone. On my way out of town as I walked along a field, I saw a man walking towards me with his dog. The man's name was Paul. We greeted each other and started talking. I asked him if he ever heard of the Welsh Revival that took place from 1904 -1905. It was a massive Christian spiritual awakening led by the young coal miner Evan Roberts. It resulted in over 100,000 conversions in less than a year. Siniging spiritual songs was a key componet in this move of God. May this wave of worship and turning to God come through Wales again!

Paul did not know about this revival. I asked him if he was walking with Jesus. He said no and that he was not raised that way. I responded that it is never too late to start. Paul is probably in his sixties and is not in the best health. I asked if I could pray for him. Afterwards he took my hand to shake it and said: "Thanks so much!" I think God wanted me to talk to Paul and delayed my departure a few minutes so that we would meet.

Shortly thereafter I took a wrong turn. I was actually walking parallel to the path I needed to be on, but there was a fence and an impassable hedge between me and it. My path led to a deadend. I had to turn around and find the connection to the right path. It was narrow, more straight, and good to go. This is where I saw the sheep in the video. It was kind of like a parable of what repentance looks like and hopefully what Paul would do.

Photos 1-3: The walk today was overwhelming beautiful, not easy, but beautiful! It was hard for me to choose the best photos to post.

Photo 4: Shortly after my lunch break, the path took me down from the cliffs to the beach. There I met Ian and Mark. They offered me a cup of coffee, but I said water would do me better. Ian (without the shirt) is preparing to do a doctorate on the subject of holistic healing: body, mind, emotion, spirit. Mark sees himself as an agnostic. They had many deep and philosophical questions. It was a very engaged conversation for a about one hour. I dranked probably 1.5 liters of water in this time, which I needed on this warm, sunny day. I prayed for both of them as well as for two young people from Poland who were listening in. Afterwards Ian asked if he could have my contact infos to perhaps do an interview with my for his doctorate. Indeed, the greatest healing man can expierence is when his heart becomes connected with that of his Creator. This will positively effect mind, emotion and body.

Photo 5: Many years ago monks established a monastery on this island. It is still in operation today, and the island can only be accessed by boat.

Video: Arrival at Pembroke Dock in Wales

Photo 1: "Ferry to Wales"

It was a four hour ride from Rosslare Habour to Pembroke Dock. I was looking forward to using the time to catch up on my blog. However... the internet connection was very unstable. It took forever just to upload one photo. Not worth it. Not going to fo it. I had briefly met Barry at the port in Rosslare before departure. He saw me on the boat and came over for a talk. He loves Jesus, came to faith a number of years ago at an Assembly of God Church, but later joined a Brethern Church that teaches cessation, meaning that the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit ceased with the death of the original Apostels. I just know that without the enabling of the Holy Spirit I would never have become a pastor, never would have gone to Europe, never would have done a Snail-Trail. Even though we did not agree on this point, we had a great conversation about a number of biblical subjects. The hours passed quickly. Barry is currently without a church connection, so he was grateful for the fellowship and prayer. As we parted ways, Barry said: "This made my day". There are, of course, differences in how people live out their faith in Jesus. Nevertheless, unity in faith is important and possible.

Photo 2: "An old ship anchor at Pembroke Dock"

The day of rest really was not much of one. I had to get up real early to get to the ferry on time. Then in Pembroke Dock I walked to where my room was, worked on the blog, took a short walk, bought groceries and made scrabble eggs for dinner in a microwave... The time went quick.

Photo 3: One of Pembroke's two Martello Towers, but of a medieval defense system of the region.

Photo 4: "Wales Coast Path"
I will be following these signs somewhat the next days as I make my way along the coast to England.

Photo 1: "Wexford Habour by day"
Usually Sundays are my rest day. Today was the only exception. I needed to get to the dock in Rosslare this evening to be able to catch the early ferry to Wales the next morning. This was the only option for me. So I booked a room at Pembroke Dock in Wales and would make Monday my day of rest.

I was just getting ready to leave the campground in Wexford and went to fill up my water bottle, when I saw David sitting at a picnic table. I went over to say goodbye. Just then his girl friend Beck came out. They had many questions about the God connection and my walk with Jesus. We talked for about an hour and then I prayed for them. It was good that my walk to Pembroke Dock was just 24 km. In planning this trip I did what I could do to make contact with a church for my Sundays in Dublin and Wexford, but was not able to. God had other plans. He wanted me to connect with Michael in Dublin and David and Beck in Wexford, to not be with the 99 sheep on those days, but with the one or two on the byways. God loves them all!

Photo 2: A colorful cottage built in the 17th century, now at the entrance of a golf club.

Photo 3: The Irish national flag is a tricolor flag. It consists of three veriticle bands of equal size: green, white and orange. The orange stripe symbolizes Irish Protestants and the green represents the country's Catholics. The white stripe represents peace will eventually come between them. May that day soon come!

Photo 4: "Old church on the way..."

Photo 5: "Dirty water"

At the end of a week if walking, I wash my clothes, usually by hand if I am not staying with someone who has a clothes washer. This photos shows what the water looked like after the first wash...

Photo 1: "St. Killian's Well"
St. Killian was born in Mullagh County in Ireland in the year 640 AD. He died a martyr in Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany in 689 AD. Later a cathedral was built there in his memory. At some point before Killian went to Germany, he dug this well which still flows today. I drank from the water... it was good!

Photo 2: There are a lot of hydrangeas in Ireland, big and beautiful.

Photo 3: Quite often I got what I needed on provisions for the day at Dunnes Stores. I wonder if I might be a long lost relative. The family name "Dunn" most likely comes from Ireland. Perhaps I have walked paths that my forefathers had once walked.

Photo 4: "Ripped backpack - the next challenge"

I got to the campground in Wexford in good time and thought that I might be able to either work on my blog or walk down to the beach. Neither would be the case. The small tear in the hip belt of my backpack had become a major rip. I walked into town to try to find a strong needle and thread. I did. Sowing the pieces together was not easy and took a bit of time. In the pricess I bent the strong needle and the extra strength thread broke twice. I write this post one week later and can let you know that the sowing job is still holding. While I was working on the backpack in the recreation room at the campground, I met David from the USA. We had a God-talk that would not have happened, had my backpck not needed the repair. This God-talk would continue together with his girl friend, Beck, from Australia the next day.

Photo 5: Sunset over Wexford... almost at the end of my journey through Ireland.

Photo 1: "The cross and the bicycle"

It was the cross of Jesus that gave me life, purpose and a foundation to build my life. It was a bicycle that God used to give me orientation. I did a ten week bicycle tour across Europe in 1977 with nine other students from Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God. God used this trip to help me hear his hearbeat for Europe. I can still hear it. It lead me to the rest of my life.

Photo 2: "A look back at the Wicklow Mountains"

It was quite warm and sunny today. After a good climb uphill in the early afternoon, I came to a short shady stretch. I looked for a place where I could sit in the shade away from the road to have my lunch. Just at the end of the shady stretch I saw a gate open to a house with trees in zhe garden. The front door was open. In my spirit I heard: "Go there." I went to the open door and called out, "Hello!" A woman came out who was taking care of four young girls kind of like a home day care. She glady offered for me to sit in a chair in the shade on their patio. As I was eating my lunch, she came out with the children to say goodbye. They were going to drive to the beach. Her husband, Grahm, had just arrived and also came to the patio. I shared a bit of my story and then prayed for everyone. Grahm stayed at the house and our conversation continued. He had been brought up in a Christian tradition that taught him to fear God in the sense of being afraid of God. Unfortunately the concept of a creator God who is a loving Father is often so distorted by traditions, rituals, rules, regulations, fear of judgment and dammnation. We had a good talk and I was able to pray that he and his family would find their way to the heart of God.

Photo 3: "Willy and the Peacock Feather"

I heard a peacock call out from behind a fence and shortly later saw a peacock feather on the side of the road. The peacock feather reminded Willy of God's eye watching over him. The color in the eye of the feather matched Willy's own color, drawing them together in harmony. When there is break in the clouds on a cloudy day and a speck of blue shows through, I like to think that God has blue eyes and is looking down on me. This amazing blue is reflected on the waters of lakes, rivers and oceans on a clear day. When one looks out to the horizon where the heaven and sea meet together, there is a harmony and melting together of blue. This is how God created us in his image. We were to reflect his light and glory, living in a spiritual harmony between God in heaven and ourselves here on earth. It is unfortunate that the dark clouds of sin and human history have cast their shadows in the human soul, which has brought disharmony to the spiritual union. Still, God's love and grace will break through with his "blue eyes" from heaven to let us know he is there... if we look to him. I told Willy we would try to take the peacock feather back home with us in one piece.

Photo 4: This historical graveyard was once part of the medieval monastery founded at Ferns by St. Aidan in the seventh century.

Photo 5: The castle in Enniscorthy where I stayed the night in the church building of Alive Church, an Assembly of God congregation in the city.

Photo 1: "Willy and the water filter"
It was for this hike yesterday and today that I knew I would need a water filter. From yesterday evening until when I left the river this morning, I filtered probably at least three liters. I drank as much as I could before I left, and filled my themos and water bottle to take with me. The thing is, I could only suck the water out of the bottle with the filter and then spit it in my themos to fill it. I then added a lemon-ginger tea bag to give it some flavor. It was the only source of water that I had until nearly the end of today's hike. Believe me, filteted mountain-water-lemon-ginger-spit-tea is a great thing to have when you are up a mountain on a warm sunny day without any other water resources!

Photos 2 - 3: Scenes from the Wicklow Way today. Not many people on the path here. I did have three young people come my way who were speaking German. They were from Austria. I stopped, we had a small God-talk, and I prayed for them.

Photo 4: The church in the small town Shillelagh, known for the traditional Irish wooden walking stick and club that has been handmade here for centuries. The special stick is called by the name of the town, the Shillelagh.

Photo 5: Shillelagh was my destination for today. I booked a bed at a small wooden blockhouse called Hunter's Lodge. The owner, Philomena, it turns out, is a follower of Jesus. I ate up all my food reserves on today's hike and was really glad to have the homemade meal that she offered to make me. Her place was an oasis after walking through the wilderness the past two days. If you ever need a place to stay in Shilelagh, be sure to go to Philomena's Hunter's Lodge.

Photo 1: Glendalough is known for the ancient monastery established there by the Irish monk St. Kevin (c. 498 -618). Yesterday evening I walked through the old graveyard and rock walls that remain if the monastery. As I did, I sang my pilgrim song. It was if my song was echoing the praise and worship of the saints and monks of former years, filling the roofless walls with the purpose for why they were originally built, calling out for a renewed spiritual awakening in Ireland. Many times as I walked through Ireland, both north and south, I envisioned an ancient root that started its growth with the powerful ministry of Saint Patrick, now lying much dormant under a harden surface (I walked a lot on hard roads in Ireland...), breaking through with new living sprouts. May God give this awakening, this breakthrough, this fresh spiritual vitality. It was a special moment for me in Glendalough.

Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me to capture an impression with a photo or clip. I left it at the hostel to charge the battery. I did though take this photo at a pub where I had lunch today. It shows the iconic logo of St. Kevin. Renowned for his asceticism and deep connection with nature, many legends surround his life. The most famous tale is that he prayed with his arms outstretched for so long that a blackbird built a nest in his hand, laid her eggs, and raised her chicks before he moved. He is often depicted in art alongside a blackbird, symbolizing his harmony with God's creations. This image is reflected in this logo for Glendalough.

Also at this pub I ate my lunch while Sandy and Giovanni were waiting for a taxi. We shared a room last night at the hostel and walked the same path this morning to Glenmalure. Sandy is an ordained Methodist minister who through an incurable illness lost his ability to speak. He now researches, walks and promotes pilgrim paths. He has authored a number of books on the subject. This is now his ministry. Indeed, many people who have lived their lives without God, often sense that God is there on the pilgrim path. There is something about walking in God's garden that helps us to hear his voice. If you want to take a look, here is his webpage: www.sandybrownbooks.com

Photo 2: The rest of the day I would only see a few people coming from the other way. There would be no other place to stop for food or water until late the following day. I knew this day wad coming... and the next.

Photo 3: So I filled my water bottles at the pub and hoped to make to a river at the end of the day.

Photo 4: Originally I wanted to stay the night at the Mucklagh Hut, a weather shelter that collects rain water from the roof for those who might seek refuge there. It had not rained, though, since I arrived in Belfast 12 days ago... not much water in the canaster. I knew two other people I met on the path were behind me and were also wanting to spend the night in the hut...

Photo 5: I decided then to go an extra 4 km down the mountain to the river. There I found a wonderful place to set up my tent and had access to the river. I slept great with the water babbling through the night.

Photo 1: "Wicklow Way"

The blister on my left foot was still juicing this morning. I had some apprehension about walking 30 km and 1400 altimeters with it like that. I sent off a WhatsApp broadcast right after breakfast letting people know of this current challenge, and right away a number of people responded that they would be praying for me. God answered those prayers. A man who works at the hostel asked me where I would be heading today and where I might be staying. Normally people take two days to walk to Glendalough because of the high altimeters. When I said that I would be going and staying at the hostel there, he said that he would be driving there later that morning and offered to take some of my gear with him. I gladly accepted and gave him my tent, my clothes bag and my hygiene bag. That took 6+ kilos off my shoulders. My foot really did not bother me while I was walking, just at the end of the day after I took my shoe off. This was "walking" grace from heaven.

Photo 2: "Lough Tay - The Guinness Lake"

You cannot see the white sand at the top of the lake in this photo, but the dark water and white sand create a resemblance to a pint of beer. It was here I took my lunch break. I had so many encounters and God-talks today that I cannot relate them all in one blog. One of them was at this spot. I started talking with a young couple from Leipzig who had very little "church" background. I explained the difference between religious ritual and connecting with God in a real relationship through Jesus. I prayed for their journey through life that they would come to live in the purpose for why God created them. I had a similar conversation with another couple from Ireland on my way to the lake. After praying for them, the wife said: "I needed to hear that today. Then as I was leaving the lake, an older couple from Ireland asked me where I was going with such a big backpack. When I said that I was a pastor and pilgrim, the woman asked me right away to pray for them. The man recently had amost died from a serious infection, the woman was going through some difficult times, and they recently were engaged and are planning on getting married. I encouraged them and gladly prayed that the Good Shepherd would keep and lead them on their path together. Several times they said: "This was meant to be today!"

Photo 3: "Irish hiking group"

Not too far away from the lake I saw a sign on the road that said "Caution - Film Crew". Several meters away the path turned left away from the road. This group in the photo was sitting there and taking a break. So I asked if they were the "Film Crew". They answered that they were not famous enough for anything like that and whether I was famous. I said: "Maybe... you do not know who I am!" Then they wanted to know who I was. When I mentioned that I was a pastor and a pilgrim, a woman standind close to me, Ciara, asked if I would pray for her. She then asked if I would place my hand on her head and pray for her to have peace of mind. I did. I prayed the blessings of Psalm 23 to come upon her. The more I prayed, the quieter it got. Everyone was watching. When I finished, Ciara said that she felt that something had happened. She then mentioned that she had been watching the series "The Chosen" and had wanted to connect with Jesus, but did not know how. She also asked for prayer for her son, Rocky, who has a special need. Please pray for Ciara and Rocky, for God's to be at work in their lives. No, it was not a film crew, but a hiking group that had just finished their tour for the day.

Photo 4: "Hiking group from Holland"

What a great group of young men... they all love Jesus! They went to a private Christian school in Holland together, and now as young adults contiue to be good friends and follow Jesus. I have talked with many secular people from Holland where God is something they do not think much about. Meeting this group of young men gave me hope for Holland. They prayed for me and I prayed for them.

Photo 5: Coming off the mountain down to Glendalough

Photo 1: "Wicklow Way"
After walking 12 kilometers through Dublin, I came to the start of the Wicklow Way, Ireland’s oldest and most popular long-distance walking trail. Stretching 130 kilometers from Marlay Park in Dublin to Clonegal in County Carlow, it typically takes 5 to 7 days to complete. I will cut it a bit short at the end and endeavor to walk it in four days.

Photo 2: The Butterfly Bush "Buddleja" in bloom on the Wicklow Way...

Photo 3: Going over the first high point on the Wicklow Way...

Photo 4: I am not sure how the path will lead, but in the next days I will be walking through these mountains.

Photo 5: Lunch break with Willy on the Wicklow Way...

My left foot still hurts when I walk, but not quite as much when going uphill. There will be a lot of uphill walking the next few days...
After walking most of the day without seeing anyone on the paths, I asked God if there might be a person at the youth hostel where I would be staying the night with whom he might have me speak to. In my mind's eye I saw appearance of a young man somewhat similar to that of Jacob whom I met coming out of Drymen in Scotland. After I got situated in my room and took a shower, two young men came into the room. S* and W* were from London, and W* matched what I had seen in my mind's eye. We ended up ordering pizza from a delivery service and eating together. S* is connected with a church, but W* is a PK (Pastor's Kid) who has "drifted away". I am a pastor and have kids, so I have a heart for people like W*. God does too. That is why we met today. God was wanting to show W* that he is there for him.