Photo by: Lauranne Boyde (my beautiful teamie)
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” These past few
weeks we have trekked our way across unmarked territory in hopes of
laying down a foundation and awaking a generation. In the smallest
towns of rural Mississippi we have discover the largest hearts. In the
busiest cities we have found the most rest and in the most
uncomfortable moments we have found comfort in each-other.
To understand where we are now, like any other great adventure you
have to understand where we have been. These past few weeks we have
said good-bye to our new friends in Georgia and Alabama and made our
way across Mississippi and into Louisiana. Once upon a time these men
and women were strangers and now they have forever wrote a line in the
story we will always tell. We have heard tales from strangers about
sailing across the ocean, stories told by missionaries of traveling
hundreds of miles to share the gospel, and we have met those who have
next to nothing but give close to everything. Laughter has brought
pain to our stomachs and many of these tails have filled our hearts
with a burden for others.
There is a great paradox in this life on road. We have encountered
feelings of great appreciation, and other times we have felt
forgotton. The concept of “high-highs” and “low-lows” has definitely
made itself present in these past few months. We have experienced
several nights without showers, sleeping in the van, and the
overwhelming truth that we are homeless, but still other nights we
have found ourselves enjoying the gracious gift of a cabin to
ourselves on seventy acres of land. This tour has shown us the meaning
of sacrifice. Through this fast paced life and daring adventured, we
have learned one of the greatest paradoxes of love and humility.
Mother Teresa described it best when she said “I have found the
paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt,
only more love.”
The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a common place thing, but burn burn burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars
- Jack Kerouack, On The Road
With Mississippi comes broken down vans, hitch hiking, paddle boats, and 70 acres of land.
With Mississippi comes the daring adventure of driving hours on end not knowing if our van will make it.
I had sobering experience during my two days off in New Orleans.
What we are doing is not normal. It is UnUsUaL. A little absurd and crazy. It won’t last forever, so I want to ENJOY it. We will never live this again so we really must leave it all on road.
When it is all said and done we will look back and say “remember when?” so for now I want to enjoy EVERY SECOND.
“What were we born for? - “For infinite happiness”, said the spirit. “You can step out into it at any moment…” - The Great Divorce C.S Lewis
The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn’t it be? - it is the same the angels breathe. ~Mark Twain
First time I feel at home. Is it weird that driving down the road with the windows down and the heater on, makes me feel at home. Five weeks into tour and, about 2 months since I’ve been away from home and I feel strangely comfortable in this very uncomfortable life. I feel full in this very scarce life. I feel rested in this very restless situation.
Alabama brings cool weather and old friends.
Bloopers....
To a group of 6th graders
Me: “You guys should try abducting yourselves…it might work”
During our day off, after falling asleep in a Harry Potter movie. Screen fades to black; Me: “Guys!! Who’s doing the transition!?”
Travis: “All the old people have money”
Sean: “Salmon sauce”
Lauranne almost driving into Travis’s Aunt and Uncle’s house
Falling down the stairs and almost taking out Travis’s great Aunt
Getting the cops called on us at Anna Catherines house. Apparently the neighbors thought our van was a little suspicious
Apparently bomb threat alarms during screenings shut everything down.
Week 3 on the road…or maybe its 4. It definitely all runs together. I have had some incredible experiences, some high highs and low lows. We officially just arrived in Birmingham, Alabama (and definitely rocked out to Sweet Home Alabama as we crossed the border)
A few of many things I won’t forget about Georgia
the beauty of lookout mountain
torrential down pours of rain
driving ON the paths of a college campus
almost getting stuck in the mud with Drew Mirolli
eating at Zunzis in Savannah
hasbrowns and bacon at 3:30 in the morning followed by an all night drive
Brandon Holt and the beauty of South Side Church of God
Aaron Gilespie brought us to his show for The Almost to set up merch and talk to the fans about Invisible Children. We had so much fun and met some pretty incredible people! This Providence… I love you guys and will be praying for you continually. Thanks again Aaron for being such a great supporter of the movement of Invisible Children. …We totally rock out to your music in the van : )
The AMAZING Mirolli family. We love you guys so so much. They opened their home and opened their hearts to the deep south roadies. Check out what Drew Mirolli is up to www.operationpoverty.org
