Exiting Georgia

Today is the first day we walked since I’ve come. I walked the first nine miles, and am now going to drive the RV so that mom can walk the next section.

The scenery has been very nice. Swelling hills that look much like the black hills of South Dakota speckled with herds of sheep, with their respective shepherd. There are also numerous donkeys that free-range along the way. Chicken yards are interspersed between old run down farming shacks. And farmers curiously eye us up and down as we walk past. They also boldly peek in the RV windows because they have most likely never seen one before, especially driven by grungy Americans. Stray dogs freely roam the land, flee infested and straggly, one bit dad in the hand the other day so they’re apparently non to friendly.

As I’m writing right now I’m waiting to drive ahead in order to pick up mom and dad at the 22 kilometer mark, so dad can have a quick break before finishing his 30 kilometer day. An I-Pod is plugged into a speaker and playing the type of music that makes you feel like you have all day to accomplish your daily tasks. At first I disliked the folksy music because it made me feel complacent, but I’m quickly getting used to this day by day lifestyle of focusing on prayer, walking, and preparing for common basic needs like: finding water, making food, washing clothes and equipment by hand, emptying out the sewage, and the list goes on. The music is actually quite helpful in enabling me to relax. However, I only let it play for half an hour before changing it to worship! Intense worship is playing right now, and yeah baby, this is what pumps me up!

I’m asking God on how I can pray for Georgia during this last day, as we are approaching Azerbaijan. Georgia is traditionally a Christian country, believe it or not; it’s the last Christian land for a very long time. Surrounded on all sides by Muslim and Russian territory, in these last days they could very well be a beacon in the midst of darkness. However, the Christianity here is stagnant; it’s more of tradition, I think, than genuine commitment. So my prayer has been for a fresh wave of the Holy Spirit to awaken this land in order for them to turn back to their first Love. May the Lord arouse their hearts and breathe life into the dry bones. May Georgia arise as a burning torch that draws the surrounding Muslim nations to life in Christ. May Georgia spiritually prosper. May Georgia encounter the crazy glory of God that will bring real revival to this destined land.