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Following Jesus...
When I was sixteen, I got to know Jesus by reading his biography, the first four books of the New Testament. I often wondered how it would have been to have actually walked with Jesus, heard his words and been part of his encounters with people. It would have certainly been life changing. A bit of that I was able to experience in 2023 on Snail-Trail 1 as I walked from my home in Germany to the west coast of Spain, and in 2024 on Snail-Trail 2 as I walked again from Germany and then through the Balkans to the city of Corinth in Greece. Both were amazing experiences. Even though I could not see Jesus, I sensed his presence, leading and enabling. I got to be a part of his encounters with people through conversations and prayers that I had with them.
Snail-Trail 3.0...
Following Jesus does not end by reaching a certain destination, completing a certain task or reaching a certain age. The call continues. The path leads on. This year I will head north, starting in Tallinn, Estonia and then walking back to my home in southern Germany. My steps on Snail-Trail 3 will take me through the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and then through Poland and the Czech Republic before crossing over the Bohemian and Bavarian Forests into Germany. I plan to arrive back home by the last week of September. I invite you to join me on this walk-talk-pray journey by way of the photos, thoughts and film clips on the blog.
Baltics…
At one point I will be walking through a narrow land corridor leading from Lithuania to Poland between the Russian exclave Kaliningrad to the west and Belarus to the east. This land strip is a reminder of the volatile history of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – marked by periods of independence, foreign domination, and the struggle for self-determination. The Baltic States gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1990–1991 and became a part of the EU and NATO in 2004. Current political developments threaten the fragile stability of the region. The past influence of communistic-atheistic thought has eroded the seedbed for faith. Estonia for instance has been called the least religious country in the world. A similar spiritual challenge can be found in Poland and the Czech Republic, two former Warsaw Pact countries that I will be walking through. Our prayer is that God’s grace and goodness will be at work in this region of Europe. Please join me in this prayer journey.
Together...
Prayer: I would greatly appreciate your prayers as well…
- Pray that God will be in the daily details, for God appointments along the way, for hearts to be touched by God’s heart.
- Pray for church planting efforts in the Baltics, Poland and Czech Republic.
- Pray for protection from wild animals and drivers and extreme weather conditions.
- Pray that my 68 year old bones and muscles will make it through another Snail-Trail!
Project: If you would like to be a part of what the Assemblies of God is doing in this region of Europe (church planting, children/youth/student outreaches…), please click on this link to make an online donation: https://giving.ag.org/donate/600001-226052?class=88
You can make a one-time contribution or wait to see how far I go for a per kilometer pledge. Please click on the option “88 Snail Trail”. Many thanks!
Blog
28.
Sep
Final Thoughts
Photo 1: On this past Friday Jacky and Sorin came for for a brunch together. It is always good to be back home again with the family after such a journey. Our 18 year old cat Sally was also happy to have everyone together again. Not pictured is her twin brother Mo who was content to sleep on his favorite pillow.
Photo 2: The first step at the Tallinn airport in Estonia on Friday, June 13th. It was just a 5 kilometer walk to the place where I would stay until the official start of Snail-Trail 3.0 on the following Monday, June 16th. Looking into this mirror and thinking of the unknown path before me, I had many unanswered questions that have since found their peace: Would I make it all the way from the Baltics to Bavaria? How will the weather be? Where will I find food and water sources along the way and a sleeping place at the end of a day? Would I get hurt, sick or lost? Will I be able to communicate with people from the various language and cultural backgrounds? Will there be meaningful encounters and God-appointments along the way? How will it be to walk through countries where I have never been before? Could a war break out in this region while I was walking through it? Would my shoes hold up?
Photo 3: The last steps on the street leading to my home in Buch am Erlbach in Germany. I did make it with God's help all the way from the Baltics to Bavaria. It took me 100 days and 85 hikes to walk 2675 kilometers with enough altimeters equal to five times the height of Mount Everest. The weather was mixed with clouds, cool wind, rain and some sunny warmer days. At the end of the day I always had a place to sleep and never went to bed hungry or thirsty. I did take a fall on the fifth day, hurt my nose and needed three stitches in my right hand. Walking with Jesus does not mean that there will be no pain on the path, but that the power of his resurrection will enable us to get back up and keep going. I had no sick days, for which I was very grateful, but did take a number of wrong turns or kept going and missed some of the correct ones. Often the extra time in path correction was God's way of adjusting my time schedule, resulting in a talk or a prayer with someone whom I otherwise would not have come in contact with. I did manage to get by with my English, German and very broken Russian/Slavic, sometimes with assistance from a translator app. I thought I would meet more pilgrims on the path, but still had very many meaningful encounters with people, some needing encouragement, others in need of the God-connection. Just about everyone accepted my offer to pray for them. Unexpected God-appointments here and there confirmed to me that God knows exactly where I am and has a purpose for the journey. When a person walks through a whole country like this, he will become more aware of its history and cultural ways. I loved this and was often moved by the shadows and pains of the past which helped me to understand how to pray for God's purposes to take place in that country now and in the time to come. No wars occurred in the region while I walked through it. May that peace continue! My shoes made the distance, but breaks in the seams allow water to come through and the rigged profiles have become quite smooth.
Photo 4: Vytas sent me this photo (see blog from July 15th). It shows his entry in a pilgrim book at a church from July 11th written after mine a day after I had been there. He posted the picture on his Instagram account which had 90,000 Lithuanians following his pilgrim walk through the country. Four days later we met a hostel for the first time and the following day we walked and talked together from Paberžė to Kedainai. During our lunch break Vytas said yes to Jesus and we prayed together. A few days later, as he was going through his photos, he saw this picture of his entry in the pilgrim book and noticed that mine was listed right before his. More importantly, he read what I wrote and is now walking on THE WAY. It is instances like this that propel me to keep taking steps on the Snail-Trail.
Photo 5: I think this picture sums it up the best. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him. For me it is a backpack that Jesus has called me to bear. So many people are curious to know why an old man like me would be walking with a backpack like that through their country. Their questions become the start of conversations that often lead to talks about life's journey and the Good Shepherd who is there to lead us through it. Walking the Snail-Trail is not always easy, but it is always good.
MANY THANKS!!!
This is my last blog posting for Snail-Trail 3.0. Thank you for being a part of this journey by reading the blogs, praying for me and hoping with me that I would make it. I really appreciated the encouraging comments I received from time to time. It let me know that you are interested in the Snail-Trail and gave me the feeling that a whole number of people were actually walking with me, even though I could not see their faces, but I felt their hearts. I am forever grateful for my wife Astrid who believed I could do this and allowed me to walk and be away from home for over three months. I greatly appreciated the partnership with VM-I allowing me to use their internet space for the Snail-Trail webpage. Also Martin Körber from VM-I did a tremendous job in developing and managing the Snail-Trail webpage. I express my thanks to the many friends, family members, churches and the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) who have prayed, given and been a part of my pilgrimage and ministry, not just these past years on the Snail-Trail, but since taking my first step fifty years ago in sharing God's message of love and grace in Jesus with people from other countries and cultural and language backgrounds. We have been a team. Without you and God’s grace I would not have gone the distance. Many thanks!
DONATE: I will never forget my encounter with Anja at breakfast in a guest house in Ostroda, Poland. She exclaimed out of the depth of her heart: "Where can I find a church like this?" If you would like to be a part of church planting efforts in this region of Europe, please click on the Snail-Trail DONATE NOW link and choose "Advance Options - (88) 88 Snail Trail". Thanks!!!
Photo 2: The first step at the Tallinn airport in Estonia on Friday, June 13th. It was just a 5 kilometer walk to the place where I would stay until the official start of Snail-Trail 3.0 on the following Monday, June 16th. Looking into this mirror and thinking of the unknown path before me, I had many unanswered questions that have since found their peace: Would I make it all the way from the Baltics to Bavaria? How will the weather be? Where will I find food and water sources along the way and a sleeping place at the end of a day? Would I get hurt, sick or lost? Will I be able to communicate with people from the various language and cultural backgrounds? Will there be meaningful encounters and God-appointments along the way? How will it be to walk through countries where I have never been before? Could a war break out in this region while I was walking through it? Would my shoes hold up?
Photo 3: The last steps on the street leading to my home in Buch am Erlbach in Germany. I did make it with God's help all the way from the Baltics to Bavaria. It took me 100 days and 85 hikes to walk 2675 kilometers with enough altimeters equal to five times the height of Mount Everest. The weather was mixed with clouds, cool wind, rain and some sunny warmer days. At the end of the day I always had a place to sleep and never went to bed hungry or thirsty. I did take a fall on the fifth day, hurt my nose and needed three stitches in my right hand. Walking with Jesus does not mean that there will be no pain on the path, but that the power of his resurrection will enable us to get back up and keep going. I had no sick days, for which I was very grateful, but did take a number of wrong turns or kept going and missed some of the correct ones. Often the extra time in path correction was God's way of adjusting my time schedule, resulting in a talk or a prayer with someone whom I otherwise would not have come in contact with. I did manage to get by with my English, German and very broken Russian/Slavic, sometimes with assistance from a translator app. I thought I would meet more pilgrims on the path, but still had very many meaningful encounters with people, some needing encouragement, others in need of the God-connection. Just about everyone accepted my offer to pray for them. Unexpected God-appointments here and there confirmed to me that God knows exactly where I am and has a purpose for the journey. When a person walks through a whole country like this, he will become more aware of its history and cultural ways. I loved this and was often moved by the shadows and pains of the past which helped me to understand how to pray for God's purposes to take place in that country now and in the time to come. No wars occurred in the region while I walked through it. May that peace continue! My shoes made the distance, but breaks in the seams allow water to come through and the rigged profiles have become quite smooth.
Photo 4: Vytas sent me this photo (see blog from July 15th). It shows his entry in a pilgrim book at a church from July 11th written after mine a day after I had been there. He posted the picture on his Instagram account which had 90,000 Lithuanians following his pilgrim walk through the country. Four days later we met a hostel for the first time and the following day we walked and talked together from Paberžė to Kedainai. During our lunch break Vytas said yes to Jesus and we prayed together. A few days later, as he was going through his photos, he saw this picture of his entry in the pilgrim book and noticed that mine was listed right before his. More importantly, he read what I wrote and is now walking on THE WAY. It is instances like this that propel me to keep taking steps on the Snail-Trail.
Photo 5: I think this picture sums it up the best. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him. For me it is a backpack that Jesus has called me to bear. So many people are curious to know why an old man like me would be walking with a backpack like that through their country. Their questions become the start of conversations that often lead to talks about life's journey and the Good Shepherd who is there to lead us through it. Walking the Snail-Trail is not always easy, but it is always good.
MANY THANKS!!!
This is my last blog posting for Snail-Trail 3.0. Thank you for being a part of this journey by reading the blogs, praying for me and hoping with me that I would make it. I really appreciated the encouraging comments I received from time to time. It let me know that you are interested in the Snail-Trail and gave me the feeling that a whole number of people were actually walking with me, even though I could not see their faces, but I felt their hearts. I am forever grateful for my wife Astrid who believed I could do this and allowed me to walk and be away from home for over three months. I greatly appreciated the partnership with VM-I allowing me to use their internet space for the Snail-Trail webpage. Also Martin Körber from VM-I did a tremendous job in developing and managing the Snail-Trail webpage. I express my thanks to the many friends, family members, churches and the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) who have prayed, given and been a part of my pilgrimage and ministry, not just these past years on the Snail-Trail, but since taking my first step fifty years ago in sharing God's message of love and grace in Jesus with people from other countries and cultural and language backgrounds. We have been a team. Without you and God’s grace I would not have gone the distance. Many thanks!
DONATE: I will never forget my encounter with Anja at breakfast in a guest house in Ostroda, Poland. She exclaimed out of the depth of her heart: "Where can I find a church like this?" If you would like to be a part of church planting efforts in this region of Europe, please click on the Snail-Trail DONATE NOW link and choose "Advance Options - (88) 88 Snail Trail". Thanks!!!
23.
Sep
Landshut - Buch am Erlbach
Photo 1: A good friend of mine from Moosburg, Robert Fetzer, joined me for the last walk of Snail-Trail 3.0 from Landshut to my home in Buch am Erlbach. It was nice just carrying a day pack today. Robert recently decided to follow Jesus. Along the way we talked about many issues concerning life and faith. As mentioned on the blog from last Sunday, Robert was not certain he would be able to walk the distance after his injury on that Saturday. He did... with God's help. That is also my story from each of the Snail-Trails: With God's help I walked the distance.
Photo 2: His dog Sari accompanied us as well. She had her own doggie backpack...
Photo 3: We walked the high path from Landshut which gave us this view of the Isar River Valley.
Photo 4: This was the station of the crucifixion on the Calvary Way in Buch am Erlbach. I felt drawn to the cross. It was low enough that I could look up to Jesus and stretch my hands out to his arms. I thought of what the New Testament teaches us that we are crucified with Christ. His death was our death, and now the power of his resurrection resides within us. It was this power that enabled me to walk 2675 killometers from Tallinn in Estonia to my home in Germany. It is his life in me that I live. It is his grace that takes me from one step to the next. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the Way. So walk this path!
Photo 5: 100 days on the Snail-Trail come to an end. Thank you Good Shepherd for bringing me back home safe and sound!
Photo 2: His dog Sari accompanied us as well. She had her own doggie backpack...
Photo 3: We walked the high path from Landshut which gave us this view of the Isar River Valley.
Photo 4: This was the station of the crucifixion on the Calvary Way in Buch am Erlbach. I felt drawn to the cross. It was low enough that I could look up to Jesus and stretch my hands out to his arms. I thought of what the New Testament teaches us that we are crucified with Christ. His death was our death, and now the power of his resurrection resides within us. It was this power that enabled me to walk 2675 killometers from Tallinn in Estonia to my home in Germany. It is his life in me that I live. It is his grace that takes me from one step to the next. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. He is the Way. So walk this path!
Photo 5: 100 days on the Snail-Trail come to an end. Thank you Good Shepherd for bringing me back home safe and sound!
22.
Sep
Loiching - Landshut
Photo 1: Werner took this photo as I started off for the day. It was supposed to rain most of the day. Indeed rain clouds looked over me the whole way, but fortunately did not let their moisture fall to the ground, at least where I was walking.
Photo 2: The Isar 2 reactor was one of the final three nuclear power plants that ceased operations simultaneously on April 15, 2023, which together marked the conclusion of Germany's nuclear energy program. I remember when the reactor was continuously releasing steam in the atmosphere, a sign that there was power in the reactor. Today there is no steam, just the appearance and a memory of past power. It reminds me of what Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy describing how things would be in the last days. He said that people would be lovers of pleasure rathen than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. The shut down reactor is now an enviromental concern. In the same way, a church that has lost its God connection and power, does society no good.
Photo 3: Approaching Landshut along the Isar River...
Photo 4: Astrid picked me up near the St. Martin's Church in the city center of Landshut. Tomorrow morning she will bring me back to walk the last stage to our home about 14 miles away. It was good to be back home this evening... and hard to believe that Snail-Trail 3.0 is now slowly coming to an end.
Photo 5: The Castle Trausnitz sits above the city and was built in 1204 to controll the traffic and commerce on the river and to collect tolls.
Photo 2: The Isar 2 reactor was one of the final three nuclear power plants that ceased operations simultaneously on April 15, 2023, which together marked the conclusion of Germany's nuclear energy program. I remember when the reactor was continuously releasing steam in the atmosphere, a sign that there was power in the reactor. Today there is no steam, just the appearance and a memory of past power. It reminds me of what Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy describing how things would be in the last days. He said that people would be lovers of pleasure rathen than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. The shut down reactor is now an enviromental concern. In the same way, a church that has lost its God connection and power, does society no good.
Photo 3: Approaching Landshut along the Isar River...
Photo 4: Astrid picked me up near the St. Martin's Church in the city center of Landshut. Tomorrow morning she will bring me back to walk the last stage to our home about 14 miles away. It was good to be back home this evening... and hard to believe that Snail-Trail 3.0 is now slowly coming to an end.
Photo 5: The Castle Trausnitz sits above the city and was built in 1204 to controll the traffic and commerce on the river and to collect tolls.
21.
Sep
Dingolfing
Photo 1+2/ Video: Church service at the Pentecostal Church in Dingolfing...
Photo 3: From left to right - Werner, Ulla, me and Robert Fetzer from Moosburg. Robert is a good friend who had hope to walk with me the last stage on Tuesday from Landshut to my home in Buch am Erlbach. He hurt his knee though doing yard work and was not sure whether he could make it on Tuesday. He wanted though to come to Dingolfing in any case to hear what I had to say about Snail-Trail 3.0. I think God spoke to many hearts during the service. The few days with Ulla and Werner did me good. They are great hosts! I might have even gotten back one of those kilos that I had lost on the Snail-Trail.
Photo 3: From left to right - Werner, Ulla, me and Robert Fetzer from Moosburg. Robert is a good friend who had hope to walk with me the last stage on Tuesday from Landshut to my home in Buch am Erlbach. He hurt his knee though doing yard work and was not sure whether he could make it on Tuesday. He wanted though to come to Dingolfing in any case to hear what I had to say about Snail-Trail 3.0. I think God spoke to many hearts during the service. The few days with Ulla and Werner did me good. They are great hosts! I might have even gotten back one of those kilos that I had lost on the Snail-Trail.
20.
Sep
Landau - Loiching
Photo 1: Today was another wonderful day for walking along the Isar River.
Photo 2: The sign to the right says: "This is not a WC (tiolet), but a chapel!" Sometimes you must explain things very clearly...
Photo 3: Power plants along the river are a reminder that water has power. In John 7, verse 38, Jesus speaks of rivers of living water that would flow from within those who believes in him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in him were to receive. Quite often we focus on the spiritual renewal that takes place when a person comes to faith. But with this water of life there is also power for living, following and serving.
Photo 4: Path near the river...
Photo 5: A bridge on the way to Niederviehbach where today's hike ended. Werner picked me up today. At the spot where he did, there where two bike riders that came by at that moment and asked us about the path along the river. I was able to share a few words with them about walking with Jesus.
Photo 2: The sign to the right says: "This is not a WC (tiolet), but a chapel!" Sometimes you must explain things very clearly...
Photo 3: Power plants along the river are a reminder that water has power. In John 7, verse 38, Jesus speaks of rivers of living water that would flow from within those who believes in him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believe in him were to receive. Quite often we focus on the spiritual renewal that takes place when a person comes to faith. But with this water of life there is also power for living, following and serving.
Photo 4: Path near the river...
Photo 5: A bridge on the way to Niederviehbach where today's hike ended. Werner picked me up today. At the spot where he did, there where two bike riders that came by at that moment and asked us about the path along the river. I was able to share a few words with them about walking with Jesus.
19.
Sep
Degendorf - Landau
Photo 1: Degendorf city center where I started for the day...
Photo 2: I followed the Isar River all day, often walking on the flood wall...
Photo 3: ...and going under and over bridges.
Photo 4: Large poplar trees along the river...
Photo 5: Ulla and Werner Bayer are good friends of mine. We have know each other since forty years. I will be their guest the next three evenings and speak at their church in Dingolfing on Sunday morning. On my way to Landau where Ulla picked me up, the path I took on the south side of the river suddenly ended in an unpassable jungle. I made my way out of the brush, up a hill and through a field to the road. At the next bridge I was able to get back on the river path. I saw a woman walking with a young man coming my way. I asked them if this path will go all the way to Landau. They assured me that it did and then wanted to know where I was from and where I was going. Then came the question whether I had walked the whole distance alone. I said that Jesus was my Good Shepherd who was always with me and watching over me. The woman, Astrid, responded that they were at odds with the Lord at the moment. Silence followed. She continued: "My son, Thomas, (the 26 year old young man) is sick and no longer wants to live." I asked Thomas if he believed in Jesus. He shook his head no. I said a few words and asked if I could pray for them. Astrid began to cry as I prayed. It was a special moment for her and perhaps God was able to knock on Thomas' heart as well. Had I not gotten on the jungle path and needed the extra time to come clear, this encounter would not have happened. God knows... and cares.
Photo 2: I followed the Isar River all day, often walking on the flood wall...
Photo 3: ...and going under and over bridges.
Photo 4: Large poplar trees along the river...
Photo 5: Ulla and Werner Bayer are good friends of mine. We have know each other since forty years. I will be their guest the next three evenings and speak at their church in Dingolfing on Sunday morning. On my way to Landau where Ulla picked me up, the path I took on the south side of the river suddenly ended in an unpassable jungle. I made my way out of the brush, up a hill and through a field to the road. At the next bridge I was able to get back on the river path. I saw a woman walking with a young man coming my way. I asked them if this path will go all the way to Landau. They assured me that it did and then wanted to know where I was from and where I was going. Then came the question whether I had walked the whole distance alone. I said that Jesus was my Good Shepherd who was always with me and watching over me. The woman, Astrid, responded that they were at odds with the Lord at the moment. Silence followed. She continued: "My son, Thomas, (the 26 year old young man) is sick and no longer wants to live." I asked Thomas if he believed in Jesus. He shook his head no. I said a few words and asked if I could pray for them. Astrid began to cry as I prayed. It was a special moment for her and perhaps God was able to knock on Thomas' heart as well. Had I not gotten on the jungle path and needed the extra time to come clear, this encounter would not have happened. God knows... and cares.
18.
Sep
Regen - Degendorf
Photo 1: Geßinger Rock in the Bavarian Forest...
Today was my last mountain climb. I had great weather to do it. From this point I could see the German Alps in the distance and the Isar River that I would be following the last four hikes to my home.
Photo 2: Panorama view of Regen in the early morning...
Photo 3: The oinion dome which is very common on churches and chapels in Bavaria...
Photo 4: The bavarian equivilent of "Home Sweet Home!" I liked the wood carving of a hiker to the right who now comes home.
Photo 5: It was only the grace of God that has brought to this point. From here the rest of the way is mostly down hill or a gradual incline along the river.
The hotel where I stayed in Degendorf is owned and operatered by the Kolping Association in affiliation with the Catholic Church. I commented on this to the young woman at the reception and she asked if I was a priest or something. We had a short God-Talk after which I was able to pray for her.
Today was my last mountain climb. I had great weather to do it. From this point I could see the German Alps in the distance and the Isar River that I would be following the last four hikes to my home.
Photo 2: Panorama view of Regen in the early morning...
Photo 3: The oinion dome which is very common on churches and chapels in Bavaria...
Photo 4: The bavarian equivilent of "Home Sweet Home!" I liked the wood carving of a hiker to the right who now comes home.
Photo 5: It was only the grace of God that has brought to this point. From here the rest of the way is mostly down hill or a gradual incline along the river.
The hotel where I stayed in Degendorf is owned and operatered by the Kolping Association in affiliation with the Catholic Church. I commented on this to the young woman at the reception and she asked if I was a priest or something. We had a short God-Talk after which I was able to pray for her.
17.
Sep
Želenzná Ruda - Regen
Photo 1: The first step across the German border today at 10:17 AM...
Photo 2: The sign marking the German border at Bayerischer Eisenstein...
Photos 3+4: It was a beautiful hike today walking along the Regen River to the city Regen. My spirit just rejoiced the whole way. My feet made it! My shoes made it! With God's help I made it!!! After today it would be just five more hikes to home.
Photo 5: I asked God to direct my way to a place where I might get something to eat in the evening in Regen, whether there might be someone he wanted me to speak to. I also did not want to walk very far from the place where I was staying. The first place I saw was this bistro. The only people in it were the husband and wife owners. I ordered lasagna and salad. We started to talk. They are from Romania and I told them that we have Romanian "roots" in our family and that I had been there a number of times during the time of communism to bring Bibles and Christian literature across the border. I shared my story with them and about walking with Jesus from the Baltic States to Bavaria. When I went to pay the bill, they said that the meal was for free, that they had never met someone like me before. It was the fragrence of Jesus. I prayed for them and their business. The first of November they will be moving to a larger and better location. If you ever come to Regen after November 1 for a visit, be sure to go to Bistro Laura, Bahnhofstraße 7. Tell them that you read about their kindness on the Snail-Trail blog.
Photo 2: The sign marking the German border at Bayerischer Eisenstein...
Photos 3+4: It was a beautiful hike today walking along the Regen River to the city Regen. My spirit just rejoiced the whole way. My feet made it! My shoes made it! With God's help I made it!!! After today it would be just five more hikes to home.
Photo 5: I asked God to direct my way to a place where I might get something to eat in the evening in Regen, whether there might be someone he wanted me to speak to. I also did not want to walk very far from the place where I was staying. The first place I saw was this bistro. The only people in it were the husband and wife owners. I ordered lasagna and salad. We started to talk. They are from Romania and I told them that we have Romanian "roots" in our family and that I had been there a number of times during the time of communism to bring Bibles and Christian literature across the border. I shared my story with them and about walking with Jesus from the Baltic States to Bavaria. When I went to pay the bill, they said that the meal was for free, that they had never met someone like me before. It was the fragrence of Jesus. I prayed for them and their business. The first of November they will be moving to a larger and better location. If you ever come to Regen after November 1 for a visit, be sure to go to Bistro Laura, Bahnhofstraße 7. Tell them that you read about their kindness on the Snail-Trail blog.
16.
Sep
Lake Valcha - Želenzná Ruda
Photo 1: Early this morning I greeted these two bulls as I passed by, and then they came over to the fence to get a better look at me.
Photo 2: The path towards the hills...
There was a cool wind for most of the day, but no rain. The wind dried off the wet grass in the early morning for which I was grateful, so my socks would not get wet when I walked on grassy paths.
Photo 3: Yesterday I prayed that if possible I would like to have at least one more good talk with a person who had an open heart before I left the Czech Republic. It was time for my lunch break when I finished my first of three climbs for the day. Originally I thought I would go down into the valley to have lunch where there would be more protection from the wind. But then the warm sund broke through. I turned around and saw a picnic table under a shelter, but where the sunlight was still shining in. I decided to have my lunch there. Shortly thereafter Michaela came by. I greeted her with the standard "Dobrý den". She responded with "Dobrý den" and then said something else in Czech. I told her that I speak English. She said that she spoke English as well and had lived in London for several years. We started talking about my journey. Then she asked if I had walked the whole distance by myself. "No", I answered, "Jesus walks with me." That started a conversation about what it means to walk with Jesus. She then took her first step to walk with Jesus by saying yes to him in a prayer that we prayed together. Michaela had gone by that same spot earlier in the morning and had even sat on that picnic bench where I was sitting. She decided then at noon to take some old bread to a farmer that had pigs and passed by that bench once again. She was surprised to see someone sitting there... "as if you had just appeared from heaven", she said. It was a God-appointment.
Photos 4+5: It remained cool and windy, but I enjoyed the walk through the mountains to the Czeck border town of Želenzná Ruda.
Photo 2: The path towards the hills...
There was a cool wind for most of the day, but no rain. The wind dried off the wet grass in the early morning for which I was grateful, so my socks would not get wet when I walked on grassy paths.
Photo 3: Yesterday I prayed that if possible I would like to have at least one more good talk with a person who had an open heart before I left the Czech Republic. It was time for my lunch break when I finished my first of three climbs for the day. Originally I thought I would go down into the valley to have lunch where there would be more protection from the wind. But then the warm sund broke through. I turned around and saw a picnic table under a shelter, but where the sunlight was still shining in. I decided to have my lunch there. Shortly thereafter Michaela came by. I greeted her with the standard "Dobrý den". She responded with "Dobrý den" and then said something else in Czech. I told her that I speak English. She said that she spoke English as well and had lived in London for several years. We started talking about my journey. Then she asked if I had walked the whole distance by myself. "No", I answered, "Jesus walks with me." That started a conversation about what it means to walk with Jesus. She then took her first step to walk with Jesus by saying yes to him in a prayer that we prayed together. Michaela had gone by that same spot earlier in the morning and had even sat on that picnic bench where I was sitting. She decided then at noon to take some old bread to a farmer that had pigs and passed by that bench once again. She was surprised to see someone sitting there... "as if you had just appeared from heaven", she said. It was a God-appointment.
Photos 4+5: It remained cool and windy, but I enjoyed the walk through the mountains to the Czeck border town of Želenzná Ruda.
15.
Sep
Nepomuk - Lake Valcha
Photo 1: Today is the first day of my last full week of walking. The weather is similar as to how it was at the beginning of the journey in Estonia. It has been a long way, but a good journey. This cross on the side of the road reminds me of what it is all about. Jesus died for the people in the Baltic States, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. He overcame the cross and defeated the powers of sin and death. So many people pass by such crosses on the way and give no thought for what it means for them. May they know...
Photo 2: Sunlight reflecting on a church near Nepomuk
Photo 3: I know this photo is not very impressive, but on this corner is the point where I leave the official St. James Way to head towards home. The official route leads a bit more north and goes through Regensburg in Germany. My route goes due south through the Bavarian Forest through Landshut to my home.
Photo 4: This is one of the places where I booked a room instead of sleeping in the tent. I had to change my route to get here and walked about 4.5 kilometers further. The main building was built in the 1300's. The rooms were in an adjacent building from the 1700's. I am glad that I am not carrying the tent anymore. Moments after I arrived it started to rain.
Photo: 5: This weather report verifies an answer to prayer. Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday I walk through the hills and mountains to get from the Czech Republic to Germany. I did not want to walk these paths in the rain with my shoes that are no longer water proof and do not have much of a profile left. Last week there was rain in the forecast for some of these days. Thank you for praying for dry weather!
Photo 2: Sunlight reflecting on a church near Nepomuk
Photo 3: I know this photo is not very impressive, but on this corner is the point where I leave the official St. James Way to head towards home. The official route leads a bit more north and goes through Regensburg in Germany. My route goes due south through the Bavarian Forest through Landshut to my home.
Photo 4: This is one of the places where I booked a room instead of sleeping in the tent. I had to change my route to get here and walked about 4.5 kilometers further. The main building was built in the 1300's. The rooms were in an adjacent building from the 1700's. I am glad that I am not carrying the tent anymore. Moments after I arrived it started to rain.
Photo: 5: This weather report verifies an answer to prayer. Tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday I walk through the hills and mountains to get from the Czech Republic to Germany. I did not want to walk these paths in the rain with my shoes that are no longer water proof and do not have much of a profile left. Last week there was rain in the forecast for some of these days. Thank you for praying for dry weather!