09. Jul 2025

Buivydžiai - Gatauciai

Photo 1: I came into the town of Joniškis at about noon. I went to the information office where it was listed that I could get the pilgrim stamp, but the lady who does this was not there. The next door was open and there was a group of children there for a summer day activity. I asked one of the supervisors whether she could help. Eventually I got the pilgrim stamp. In the process I was able to share my story with the supervisor, talk and bit with the kids, and speak a prayer of blessing for them. Before leaving I asked the kids if they wanted to try to lift my backpack. Of course they could not do it. I then showed them how I could lift it and get it on my shoulders in one move. They were impressed. "It is important to eat your fruits and vegetables!", I told them as I left.

Photo 2: I see a lot of wood carvings in the villages. This one was at the hostel where I stayed last night. For me it depicts being led by the Holy Spirit. It encouraged me as I started off for the day's walk. I saw it confirmed in the encounter with the children mentioned above and the one with Adamas mentioned below...

Photo 3: Walking into the town os Joniškis...

Photo 4: I was hoping to find a sheltered place to sit and have my lunch break. I found just what I was looking for at a park on the way out of town from Joniškis. While I was eating my lunch, I saw a young man coming my way. I asked Jesus if this might be a divine appointment. The young man then came into the shelter, asked where I was going and from where, and then he offered to bring me a cup of hot tea. He lived right behind the shelter. When he came back, we started talking. Adamas was 16 years old. His parents had kicked him out of the house and he was fending for himself. Two days ago he came to Joniškis, found work and a place to live. I asked him why his parents kicked him out of the house. "Maybe I am a bad person...", he answered. I said: "Adamas, you have a kind heart. A bad person would not have come into this shelter, greeted me and offered me, a stranger, a cup of hot tea." I encouraged him to find his way in life and to trust Jesus to lead the way. He asked me why I happened to stop at park right at this time. "God wanted me to tell you that he loves you and is there for you." I prayed for him, laid my hand on his head and blessed him. If you think about it, please say a prayer for Adamas.

Photo 5: An old wooden village church...

Sidenote 1: Today was the first day since my fall in Estonia that I walked without a protective bandage on my hand.

Sidenote 2: When I took the picture together with Adamas, he said that his face was dirty. I said that my face was old. It is better to have a dirty face than an old one!