09. Jul 2025

Rostrevor - Dundalk

Photo 1: As peaceful as this photo appears, that is not how the whole stage went today.

Photo 2: Many parts of the walk today were along side a road, sometime a very busy road. Not too far away from this point I had my first God-talk with a man named Peter. He was curious to know where I was going with such a big backpack. That question led to a conversation and then a prayer. Peter is like many people I met on the path who believe in something or someone out there, but cannot relate to the institution "Church". The challenge is getting to know the heatbeat of God without getting disillusioned through the heartbreak of human and church history.

Photo 3: Narrow Water Castle that protected the entry waterway to the town of Newry. After this point the inlet from the sea became very narrow, particularly during low tide.

Photo 4: Just before Newry I saw Jimmy sitting on a bench by himself. He was wearing a cap backwards on his head, so I could read what was on the front as I walked from behind him. Berlin, Germany was written on the hat. I stopped and asked him if he was from Germany or had been there. That was not the case, but it started a conversation that led to a God-talk and prayer, very similar to the encounter I had with Peter.

Photo 5: I was so happy to get to Dundalk after a 40 km + 809 altimeter walk through the sun and much of it on the road. I was starting to feel the formation of a blister on the bottom of my left foot. I would stay the night in Dundalk with friends and collegues of mine, Patrick and Michelle O'Loughlin. They were wonderful hosts. It is always such a blessing after a long, hard hike to not have to try to find a sleeping place and food to eat, and then to have a shower, a bed and fellowsip with people who are also walking with Jesus.