21. Aug 2026

De Gavers - Waterloo

Photo 1: "Early morning walk and pray"

I was really looking forward to this day. Not only would I be ending the stretch in Waterloo near Brussels at the home of good friends and collegues of mine, Joel and Gail VanBriggle (Yes, Joel is related to the famous 16th century Belgian painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder and enjoys painting himself), not only would I not dbe walking on Saturday and have an extra day of rest, not only would this be my last planned stage of walking over 40 km (There is still one more that just might go over that mark), but today I would reach the Two-Thirds-Milestone. I always felt that if I could make it to Waterloo, then I can make it the rest of the way home.

Photo 2: It is evident that the rain has come back to Belgium after a documented dry spell of 56 days.

There is also a spiritual draught in Belgium. In Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England I could think of many great Christian personalities and spiritual movements from the past where I would pray that these ancient roots and works would be revived. I could think of none from Belgium or Luxemburg. Both countried have laws to curtail "proselytization". The churches are for the most part relics from past generations. It is a secular society. Without God in the garden, death will come in. The leading cause of death in Belgium for individuals between 10 and 54 is suicide. Purpose in life is found in the God-connection.

At one point on the path an older man on a bicycle stopped and asked me whether I was walking far. I told him about my trip and mentioned that I was walking with Jesus. He said that Belgians are not very religios and that the churches are mostly empty. I explained that buildings and rituals are not that which give life fulfillment, but that the God-connection will. I said that the smoke screen of religion often keeps people from entering in to a life giving relationship with God. We had a good talk after which I prayed a prayer of blessing for him. He then reached over his bike to give me a hug and said, "Thank you for what you did to me today." This is not typical Belgian mannerism. I believe the Holy Spirit touched his heart.

Photo 3: "Staying in front of the storm"

It eventually caught up with me and rained quite hard but short... during which I thankfully was in a grocery store and took a late afternoon break.

Photo 4: "Getting close to Brussels"

Rush hour traffic coming out of Brussels on a Friday late afternoon... I was so glad the foot paths took me through the woods.

Photo 5: After 67 days and 1775 kilometers, I finally made it to Waterloo. Two thirds of Snail-Trail 4.0 is now complete.

Again, today, I had severe pain on my toes like yestetday. I could not understand why now after such already having walked such a long distance. When I took my shoes off and pulled out the inlays at Joel and Gail's in a well lit room, I discovered the reason. I had forgotten to pull out my reserve inlays that I had put in my shoes when they were so wet two days ago when I stayed in the glamping tent. It was self inflicted pain. Good that my feet have an extra day of rest tomorrow!