Date: 2004-04-18
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Holy Cow! I can't believe what happened today. When I went to church at 9:30 I went to the pastor's bible study. His anme is Lloyd Jones and I spoke with him yesterday. at about 9:45 during the study (only 6 of us)he asks me: "Oh by the way, do you think you could rap in this mornings service?" I was taken aback due to the fact I forgot I told him I rap. I said yes though, but told hiim I would do part of a rap by another group called Cross Movement. Only 45 minutes later after my initial warning, I was in front a a Methodist Church rapping. I followed the 2 bluegrass songs and the childrens moment. I really felt God comfort me and the rap went really well. I was surprised that so many people in Tennessee would appreciate it, but a number of church members stopped to tell me how much they enjoyed it. It was ao cool to e up there raping about God. What another HUGE BLESSING this was. They even fed me leftovers from the pancake breakfast for lunch.In the afternoon a number of my old friends rolled in. I was reunited iwth Pegasus, Beast, Gaya, "Fire Marshall" . I also met Tinker, Chef and other new hikers. Right when I thought I lost my friends, old one's caught up. I was pumped by 4pm when I spoke with the youth. I talked about thru-hiking, answered questions, and talked a little about how God has blessed me out here. I felt at home, talking to teenagers about hiking and God. It went well and they asked me to beatbox for them. It was all such an unbelievable experience. The kids were receptive and asked a lot of questions. I am still in shock that God placed me in this situation. After speaking I talked iwth the pastor for awhile. He told me about Roan Mnt. and a few other parts of the trail and he thanked me. Lloyd was so cool and he told me he would send me a tape of the service. He also told me to expect a package in the mail in Damascus, Va. I thanked him as well, still a bit confused as to how my leg injury led me to be in Erwin and be in his church today.In addition to being psyched about church, I had a great evening too. Miss Janet came home from Hot Springs and we all talked. She looked beat, so I made her take a nap I guess that was the big brother coming out in me. After her nap she took a bunch of us to Johnson City, TN. We ate at Golden Coral and I actually did not pig out. This one hiker, Tinker, who is fresh off the trail ate 6 litle steaks (about 7 oz each) WOW! We went to the movies and came home late. It was so much fun to talk with even more hikers as well as Miss Janet and her daughters. Again it was like being a part of a big family.I may finally leave tomorrow after another one of Miss Janet's breakfasts. My leg is still sore. The Roman Nodles are staying in the Holiday Inn for a quiet day, but may leave tomorrow too. It was awesome to catch up iwth Pegasus, who I hiked with on my 3rd day on the trail and Grant (now Firemarshall) who I left with on the 1st day. If it was not for my injury I would not ahve seen my old hiking friends AND I would not have had such an awesome experience at church today. Proverbs 19:21 says: "Many are the plans in a man's heart but the Lord's purpose prevails". In Provers 16:9 it says:" In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps". My plans have not succeeded, but the Lord has taken me in his own awesome way. I look forward to hiking soon, but I can't complain about the time I've had to rest. God is awesome and I need only to follow him and his way.God Bless-Beatbox         ttt