14. Jul 2025

Knockree - Glendalough

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