Day 2
Day two began with Jake and I strapping he and Amy’s mountain bikes to Beki’s car. He insisted we take them to save ourselves the high cost of rentals. I didn’t refuse and we both knew it was a ploy to see one another again.
We parked Beki’s Yarus in Grainfield , KS and drove the van 16 miles back towards Hays – the place where Jake , Kent
Not long into the walk we got a call from Barrett’s host family for Sunday night telling us to come by the Golden Plains Bank to introduce ourselves. We detoured about 2 miles through downtown Quinter, KS to meet a lovely woman willing to open her home to some wandering strangers. Story is, Barrett met her son in some random café years prior and the guy called his mom who lives in Oakley , KS
After a run through the high school baseball field sprinklers we continued on our way. Along the back country road we saw so many gracious people. One of them named Ben Boone. Ben was hauling a load of tree brush when he stopped to ask us what in the heck we were doing out in the heat walking like we were. After Barrett explained the goal of the Global Orphan Project Ben reached for every dollar he had on him and gave it to Barrett for a donation to buy school uniforms.
10 miles into our walk we ran out of water and were desperate for replenishment. Beki looked exhausted but was hanging on like a trooper. The sun was beating down and the temp had to be hovering around 105. Unfortunately we found ourselves in Park, KS a town empty of replinishment. That is, empty of all except the local Moose Lodge.
We walked in the door to a mass celebration and strange looks. Seems there used to be a high school in Park that closed in 1970. This celebration was for all the students Park High ever knew. So, seeing as how the school closed in 1970, our youth gave us away as not a part of the party – that or the sweat drenched clothes and the look of utter exhaustion.
As Barrett and I used our dashing good looks and overwhelming charm to get some water and to just not be kicked out, Ben Boone called. Seems Ben went back and gathered his family and wanted to come and eat a picnic with us. Natalie, Ben’s wife suggested we all simply go back to the Boone home and enjoy a great lunch at their house. We met their two boys Dylan and Jayden – two great kids with incredible manners.
We all shared in God’s love and gave our testimonies as we sat and ate some of the best fruit and squash I’ve ever had. It was a warm time of sharing in God’s love as mutual Christians, strangers but a few hours ago, who became friends and ultimately family in the span of one meal.
When we had our fill of tacos and squash we were driven back to the place we left off and continued on our journey. Beki hung in there tough and not once did she fall behind or seem fatigued. I think I fell in love with her a little more through this walk in the sweltering heat. She allowed us this journey and committed herself full on and I was impressed by how strong my hard core wife really is.
After we all loaded into the Yarus (what a sight that was!) we drove Barrett and Kent back to the mother van and drove to our host family’s place. It was tough finding but we managed to scour the back country roads to meet up with the Churchwell family just outside of Quinter. Their children, Elliot and the twin girls Afton and Gwen met us with exuberant glee in the driveway. Elliot showed off his incredible running ability (I couldn’t’ help but be impressed!) and seeing as how Gwen and Afton were but 2 they were just running wild.
We made it in for a much needed shower and sat down to DesiRea cooking us a wonderful meal that was to die for. We shared our stories of struggle, redemption and God’s continual grace in our lives. Chad
Our exhaustion coupled with the warm food bloating our bellies made us call it an early night.
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