Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Day 7

Hello all,

Right now I am sitting at the desk of the local editor for the Redwood Times in Garberville.  She took my picture and is going to interview me for the local southern Humboldt newspaper! 

Thank you again Chris Brannan for your hospitality last night!  Chris came and picked me up and put me up for the evening- we had a great time.  He told me about his experiences traveling in Europe years ago.  Chris dropped me off this morning where he picked me up last night.  Along the way I met a man named Kenny, who is looking for his ex-wife who is homeless somewhere around here.  He was hungry and his feet were blistered, so I fixed him up as best I could.  It is good to be able to give back.

Later today I will see my friend Sharon along the way somewhere as she returns home from visiting her parents down south.  I am looking forward to seeing her.  Thank you for all your help Sharon.

I don't know when the next blog post will be, as it starts to get quite rural south of here. 

Please remember to keep the Coders and the children in your prayers, as this is to raise some much-needed support for them.  Thank you.

God bless,     Craig

Day Seven-Sept. 28, 2010

Well I am just north of Redway staying at my sixth grade friends house, Chris Brannan.  It was another beautifully sunny hot day today. Once again I do not have Internet connection so I phoned Emily with updates for her to post for me.  
The people I meet continue to be awesome. Today was the first day that I had anyone stop and ask if I needed a ride. And it happened twice!!! The people I am meeting still amaze me. That's what is going to help spread the word about the Walk, the Coders and their children.  
Don't forget that you can leave comments for me here on the blog.  Even if I don't have Internet connection that day Emily reads them to me when I phone in to give her postings for my blog.  I enjoy seeing your comments-even if it is just to say Hi and letting me know your out there. 
Please keep the Coders and their children in your prayers,
Craig

Monday, September 27, 2010

Day 6 I'm still going but the pack is still heavy!!!!!

Hate to whine- but that pack is still heavy!  But before I continue sobbing, I'd like to thank Emily for posting for me and feeding my cat, and also a thank you to Leslie for her nice scripture verse- I appreciate all that you all are doing to help.  ALSO, please remember that you can post comments that I look forward to reading.  Anyways, right now I am in a cabin in the Miranda Gardens motel in Miranda.  I think I did about 11 miles today- another beautiful day.  I met a nice lady in the store in Myers Flat named Denise.  She said she would spread the word about the Walk.  All who are helping to spread the word, I thank you- that is how this can succeed.

I am looking over all of my gear strewn all over the room.  I am culling out every little ounce that I can spare!  I am also waiting for David and his wife to bring me a homemade dinner of Indian food!!!!!!  They own a store in the same location that my parents had their store in here in Miranda in the 70's. I am finding out just how kind and hospitable people are- it softens me and encourages me to be more hospitable myself.  Thank you everyone.   I'm going to give my culled gear to David and he said he would take it to Burlington Campground for me.  There they can give it out to hikers and cyclists who may be in need.  Someone had left some shaving cream, a razor, and Sterno cans in the food box at my hiker/biker campsite.  I took the shaving cream and left a few maps, some candy, and 4 quarters for the showers.  Now I can contribute more!!

This morning I met Carl, a lone cyclist from Oklahoma who had resumed last years journey this year in Arcata.  He was also camped at Burlington.  He said that he likes to travel alone because he then interacts with strangers- something he said most are not inclined to do if they are with their own group.  He is 23 and just graduated from college- a gutsy young man.  He forgot his fuel cannister, so I heated him up some water and fed him some oatmeal- he was pretty happy with that!  He said that he had not done much prior planning!  It was great to be able to  help him.

Walking along the Avenue of the Giants is beautiful.  I have had wonderful weather and am grateful for that.  I met some other great people and everyone is very friendly and helpful.  One man I talked to when I first got in to Miranda recommended that I go to the newspaper office in Garberville, and he told me how to get there too.  So anyways, I splurged tonight and got a cabin--along with a soak in a hot bubble bath!!!

I think I am leaning towards going on Hwy 1 instead of 101.  Any comments from out there?

Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to look up Dan, a friend in Redway.  If any of you knows anyone along my route, I'd love to meet them!

Well, I'm going to get going.  I have to lighten that pack!

My on-the-road e-mail is craiggmesman@gmail.com

Please keep the Coders and the children in your prayers.

God is good,
Craig

Sunday, September 26, 2010

WOW!!! Day 5... A day of rest and a day to share

Hello everyone!  The people I've met have been great!  I spent Sat. night at Burlington Campground- compliments of three nice State Parks ladies who met me on the Avenue and said, "We saw you on TV last night."  They went on ahead and paid for my campsite!  I've been passed by many people riding bicycles on their travelling vacations.  While sitting at my campsite, one of them who passed me earlier came up to me and said, "Hey, I saw you on TV.  Aren't you the charity walker?"  His name is Jim and he is travelling with a friend named Johno- they are from Australia and started their trip in Vancouver, B.C.  They gave me some travel tips, one which I may follow, and that is to take Hwy 1 instead of Hwy 101.  We'll see.  Last night my good friends Mike and Angie Wood called me up and said they were in Garberville and they'd like to stop and see me.  So they came and got me and we had dinner in Miranda.  What a blessing everyone has been.  This morning I was talking to Jim and Johno and we looked up and saw a man walking down the Ave.  I said, "There's another crazy walker.  I wonder if he is on a day hike or what."  I called out to him and asked him where he was going, and he said, "San Francisco."  I said, "Wait a minute, I want to talk to you."  So I talked to him and told him what I am up to and found out what he is up to.  His name is Geordie, and he also started walking from the US/Canada border!  He is walking for peace and healing.  An amazing man.  We wished each other well and hoped that we would see one another further down the road.  Wow!  All of these people are doing far more amazing physical feats than I- it is a privilege and a wonder to meet them.  Once again- the people are great!

This morning Mrs. Childs came with her caretaker, Lauri, and picked me up from my campsite.  They took me to church at the Church of Christ in Rio Dell, where I was invited to speak and tell about the Coder kids and the Walk.  That was a wonderful opportunity and everyone listened and was interested.  At the end of the service, we all joined hands and they prayed for me and the kids and the Walk.  Amen!  Right now I am sitting at Mrs. Child's kitchen table typing this.  They treated me to a homemade lunch.

I plan on getting up early tomorrow from my campsite and seeing how far I can get in a full day.  These 6 to 7 mile days just aren't  going to do it for the long haul.  I will either have to lighten the pack or toughen up- one or the other.  I'm getting some great pictures and hopefully I will post some today or soon.

I'm having a great time so far!  People.  That is what it is all about...and relationship...relationship with our Father, and with each other.  I can say from my short experience so far is that when you let go of fear, trust Him, and reach out while trying to do something good, the best side of people comes out.  It is a wonder and a blessing to behold......... It's not what we get, it's what we give........

Thank you Em, for posting for me last night and for being such a sweet girl...    Craig

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Day Four-About 6 miles. Sept 25, 2010




Today was another beautiful day.  I'm staying tonight at Burlington State Park.  Three park employees recognized me from the news interview and have generously paid for my lodging tonight. I have met some very nice people today.  I don't have Internet connection here so this update is through a phone call to Emily.  Hope to post more tomorrow.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Day three- about 7 miles. Sept 24, 2010

Today was a good day.  A friend called Channel 3 news in Eureka and they came out and interviewed me at the north end of the Avenue of the Giants.  I haven't seen it on TV, but I've heard favorable reports!  I understand that you can view the interview online on Channel 3's website for a month.  The word is spreading......

I met some interesting people today.  I walked along the Ave of the Giants and enjoyed a blackberry popsicle from a roadside produce stand in Shively.  It was one of those old-fashioned stands, where you take what you want and leave the money in the slot- the honor system.  It's good to see!  My heart continues to be touched by all the good people- which brings me to where I am right now.  I am sitting at the kitchen table of my 5th grade school teacher, Velma Childs-Titus of Redcrest.  She and her family have been friends of my family for many years.  This evening I went with her son, Robin, back to Hydesville to the Hydesville Church for his young adult group.  We had pizza and soda pop (I had lots of pizza!) and I got to share the Walk idea with several young men.  Velma has graciously offered me a room to stay in tonight- an offer I couldn't refuse.  That old pack is heavy!  I'm either going to lighten it up or toughen up- we'll see.

About those interesting people- I met a man who was travelling back to Santa Barbara and he was on his last leg- told me if everything goes well he has just enough to get there.  He then went on to ask if I had enough money because if I didn't, he was going to give me some!  I said thank you, but that I did have enough.  He and the young lady he had just picked up hitchhiking were engaging in some smoking and drinking activities that I didn't want to join in with, but I'm not the judge.  He offered to help me when he needed help himself- that speaks loudly.  The world is full of all kinds of people, isn't it?

Anyways, I'm pooped out and ready for bed.  Please remember the Coder children in your prayers.  Good night and thank you for tuning in..........  Craig

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Day Two- 13.5 miles on Sept. 23!!

Hello.  Day two is over.  I walked from Fortuna south to the north end of the Avenue of the Giants.  I plan to take the Avenue, as it should be cool, beautiful, and safer!  I confess that I am sleeping on Sharon's couch again tonight- her sweet daughter Emily came and picked me up this evening.  Tomorrow night will be my first night out "on the road."  We'll see how this all goes.  The only way to find out is to try.  Today I got to share the story of the kids with a number of people.  I like people so that is a fun part of all this.  The most powerful way to help these kids is to spread this news around via the internet, however, this evening I had the local channel 3 news contact me for an interview tomorrow morning!  So if you are local- tune in tomorrow (I think it will be on tomorrow evening- maybe).

I feel better today, but still am sore and hurting.  I continue to be touched by the interest and the kindness that people are showing me and these kids.  I confess that my faith in my fellow man was weaker than I thought.  It is my heart that needs to be softened up, and it is.  I suppose all of our hearts could use a little softening!  When we find something real, something genuine, someone truly in need... it then is a pleasure to lend a hand, isn't it?  And so I thank you again for tuning in here and listening to me...

May we all seek God's face, and His heart........,
Craig

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

End of day one. September 22, 2010

Well, day one is over!  I'm sore!  I'm 49!  I encountered several obstacles today- the first was a large Holstein bull loose in the middle of the country lane I was walking on!  I opted to detour out in the pasture and go around him- why take the bull by horns in the first hour, huh?!?  The next hurdle was Fernbridge- very narrow if you are familiar with it- and even if you aren't!  I leaned out over the rail to make room for each car that came by- nice view of the river!

I made it about 7 miles and am now at my friend Sharon's house for the first night.  Wouldn't that be nice if she could come get me every night?  Today my thoughts weren't that lofty- they mostly centered around "What can I take out of this pack?"  It weighs 54 pounds and I'm going to try to get that down!  I'll need to break myself in gradually to this walking business.  I got to share with several guys today- the story about the Coders and their kids.  That's what it's all about.  Today I thought about being out there like I am- and I thought about the Honduran kids when some of them were out on the streets in San Pedro Sula.  I am a bit concerned for my own welfare, but my situation cannot compare to theirs by any stretch of the imagination.  Just think about when some of them were living on the streets- it breaks my heart because now I can start to identify with them.  They must have been very scared, and I know that the scars from those experiences still remain in them.  That is something that these children all have- emotional scars and physical scars- they are all beautiful, but these scars and memories are still there.  It will take a lot of love, trust, and prayer to heal these kids.

So day one is over.  One gentleman I talked today said, "How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time!!"  I may just be able to do this walk if I stay in the moment and take it one day at a time.  Just like life, huh?  Anyways, I'm tired and sore and I'm going to have to toughen up.  Thank you for tuning in.

Remember to remember God in your life.  All you fathers who are reading this, and you moms too- remember that pure kind of love you have experienced with your own kids?  Remember that?  That's the kind of love that Papa has for each of us.  Think about it...........

Good night,
God Bless,
Craig

I'm off !!!!!!!!!

Today is the day!  I am getting ready to leave soon this morning.  For those of you who don't already know what I am up to it is this- to walk from Ferndale, CA 500 miles south to my daughter's apartment in San Luis Obispo, CA.  It is to try to raise money for some Honduran children I met while on a mission trip to Honduras in June.  There is a very brave, faithful, and committed couple from the US who rescued these children from sexual and physical abuse (among other things) in an orphanage in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.  Their names are Bob and Joyce Coder.  He is 65 and she is 69!  They got custody of the children and moved them into a house there in Honduras a little over a year ago.  Actually, I went down there to help drill water wells with Bob, which he also does for needy people who need good water.  The shortage of good water in the world today is a critical issue.  It turned out that the trip was about the kids!  I asked Bob what he needed.  He said, "finances and help".  With contributions down in the states due to our economy, they are currently in a very serious situation.  Also, they are pooped out!  They get up very early each day and put in a full day to raise those kids and to serve as missionaries.  When I got home I prayed about a number of things- how could I help the Coders and the kids, and how I felt my own faith and courage was lacking.  While on a walk on July 5 I felt God offer me an opportunity.  He said, "How about walking from here down to San Luis Obispo?"  Along the way offer the story about those kids, and those people who are touched and want to help will.  So that's the plan.  I also intend to pick up as much trash along the road as I can, and to offer something else too.  And that is to bring awareness to people here that there is plenty of nasty stuff happening to our own children right here.  I just saw in Honduras how bad it can get, so now is the time to start acting here at home.  There is an organization that you can visit called Safe Kids Now.  It is an "adopt-a-block" type  of program where people organize together to protect the children in their neighborhood.  Hopefully it spreads from the starter block and then to the whole neighborhood or city.  In this way we can do something to begin to better protect our own children.  The world's children is its future.  You know, I could go on and on, but not right now.  I have to get going.  This is still something that I am "talking" about, and not something that I have actually done yet.  Today is the day to start.  This morning my daily devotional said, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7).  That's a good one for today!!!

You can help by visiting this blog and my Facebook page.  Please be patient.  This is a work in progress and I will communicate as much as possible during my walk.  If you are touched, please share all of this.  Please keep the Coders, the kids, me, and my family in your prayers.  I need them.

To learn about the Coder kids and how you can help them visit their website at:
     www.number7widowsmite.org   (cut and paste in your browser)

To learn how to help protect the kids in your neighborhood please visit:
     www.safekidsnow.com   (cut and paste in your browser)

If you are interested in the Coder's well-drilling ministry, check out the Wellspring of Life Ministry.  Find it at:
     www.wellspringoflife.org   (cut and paste in your browser)

Thank you for being my good friends.  The best part has already started, and that is how your care and interest has already softened my own heart and boosted my own faith.

Thank you,
God Bless,
Craig

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Hello there!!!!!!

Hello.  If you are one of my friends checking in on me- thank you!  I am busy getting prepared for this trip.  My last day at work is this Friday, September 17, 2010.  I plan on setting out the following week on the day when I am ready.  You all have been the greatest blessing so far- thank you for listening to me and being so supportive.  You have boosted my faith and have softened my heart already.  Thank you........

Craig