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I'm reporting on a long distance event
that my brother and sister-in-law, Gordy and Ardell
Graner are undertook to bring
light to their missionary endeavors in Bolivia.
While home on an education leave for Ardell and
a speaking tour for Gordy, these two planned and
are now doing a walk all the way across North Dakota,
west to east, a distance of about 400 miles. They
have been walking 15 to 20 miles per day, and as
of this writing had reached the halfway point.
I spent one day walking with them and listening
to their stories of the experience so far.
I won't write about all the things I learned
from them, but I would like to cite one poignant
observation, the value and beauty of hospitality.
Along the way, they have met a few unsung
heroes, angels of the highway. When I joined
them, they were having breakfast at the home
of a L pastor, a single gal laboring alone
in a small town in southwestern North Dakota.
She had heard about their walk, somehow found
them, and invited them to her home for a shower,
good meals and a comfortable bed. After we
had prepared for the days walk, she insisted
on taking us over to the sanctuary of her church
where she served us communion before sending
us on the way to the next town. I was touched
and impressed. Talk about a cold drink of water
on the hot dusty road. She provided an oasis.
Thirteen miles later, only three miles from
our destination, an elderly man, Leland, pulled
up in a pick-up and brought out three cold
cans of soda. Our water and fruit were gone
by then, and we were more than ready for the
encouragement he brought to us. Leland was
no stranger, however. Gordy and Ardell told
me that he had been helping them for the last
30 miles or more, watching the weather, checking
on them each day, and hauling their heavy packcart
to the next destination. Leland was physically
limited by a heart condition, and was close
to the point of overdoing his help, but this
kind man would not quit until he knew we were
safe and secure.
More stories of kindness were told as we
walked. Particularly memorable was the story
of twin brothers who picked them up just after
a severe rain storm and brought them to the
shelter of their home where they could be dried
off and fed and encouraged. Like the others,
these two took the risk and helped two perfect
strangers in a time of need, thus making the
next day's journey possible.
Enough said. The lesson is clear, isn't it?
Simple acts of hospitality are never small
kindnesses to the ones who receive them. God
bless these angels of the highway.
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Hospitality Counts