10. Sep 2026

Hochfelden - Strasbourg

Photo 1: "Alsace"

Alsace is a region of northeastern France, on the west bank of the upper Rhine, next to Germany and Switzerland. The jurisdiction of Alsace shifted four times between France and Germany in modern history between 1871 and 1945. Strasbourg is it capitol. It was from this area that my ancestors on my farther's side immigrated to the United States. It was a special day for me to walk where they may have once walked.

Photo 2: Strasbourg is also the official seat of the European Parliament, one of the EU power cities along with Brussels and Luxembourg. On this Snail-Trail walk I wanted to pass through and pray for each of these cities that God's will and Kingdom purposes would be done in Europe.

Photo 3: In Greek mythology Zeus fell in love with Europa, the daughter of King Agenor of Phoenicia. He turned himself into a gentle white bull so his wife Hera would not notice his unfaithfulness to her. Disguised as a bull, Zeus then walked near Europa on the beach in Phoenicia. She climbed on his back and Zeus carried her across the sea to the island of Crete where she bore him three sons. The image of a woman riding on a bull signifies Europe and mirrors that of the beast and the harlot in the Book of Revelations.

Photo 4: "arte"

ARTE is a joint Franco-German cultural television network based in Strasbourg. The Giraffe-Man symbolizes looking further and thinking outside ordinary boundaries.

Photo 5: Stained glass window up on the vestibule of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Together with the "Blue Eyes" of the blue sky peeking through the clouds on a cloudy day and the colors of the peacock feather that I have been carrying since Ireland, these three visualizations remind me of God's all seeing eye. It is a comfort to me on the Snail-Trail to know that God knows where I am and how I am doing. As I went to the front of the church to softly sing my pilgrim song, two young men from Algeria asked me to take their picture there in front of the alter. I told them that I love Jesus and asked whether they did as well. They were very happy to hear me say this. Both ponted to their heart and said that they now have a new life connected with Jesus.