Mission Nights…

Though I loved the coastal beaches of California, the Redwoods truly stole my heart, trees tall enough to reach the sky, and so old they were planted by God’s own hand. Taking Interstate 40 to Los Angeles was a tough time.  They don’t allow pedestrians on any freeway in California, and with a county road all the sudden being marked as a freeway when it comes to a town, I spent a lot of time sitting at off-ramps, waiting for a ride to take me even to the next off ramp.

In Barstow I was stuck for nearly three days just at one ramp, and then walked illegally to the next ramp just to get a side street so I could get somewhere. At one such ramp I notices other hikers had left messages on the back of a highway sign, and felt rather discouraged with what I read.

One message stated, “BarStall ’84, 9th day, GOD help us..” Below that were directions to a soup kitchen, and a weekly listing of what they served. I found the place and had to laugh; the menu was still accurate. The food was good, and the workers were rather nice. Though they were Catholic and had some time telling me to pray to the saints, it was fun talking to some of them, and like I said the food was good.

Making it from there to L.A. was a nightmare. Some of the bigger freeways have smaller frontage roads beside them, and I was able to get rides from time to time. But the closer I got to the city, the harder that became, and I found myself walking along city streets trying to follow the freeway. After a day of this, I found traveling by city bus was the way to go. From San Bernardino to Anaheim and on into Long Beach by city bus, I could not even tell I had gone from one town to the next.

I spent my first night on the coast sleeping under a lifeguard stand on Redondo Beach, and woke the next morning to see a sign that said, “No Camping on Beach.” Oh well, I couldn’t read in the dark, and as I was on my way before the morning crowds came, I felt safe. At an early morning concession stand, I picked up a cup of coffee and a sweet roll, and headed north on Highway 101.

Soup kitchens and mission houses are a true blessing from God, though the pride of many would keep them away.  I found many a good meal, hot showers and a bed on some nights, and praised the Lord for every one. From people opening there homes to churches feeding people in a city park, I found a blessing of the Lord each day, and many a good heart in those who ran things.

Being led to many by a homeless person I met on the way, and getting there early, I would always ask if they needed help. I got many a strange look, as they saw I was just another pilgrim on the road, but help was always welcomed. I was blessed in those times to have good fellowship afterward, telling of my travels and the blessings of the Lord, even found a few good studies.

I saw it as a blessing, because it showed me the willingness of others to reach out in helping those in need. In doing what they could to help, even helping those that showed no love for them in doing so. Whenever I was able to help with a group, I always left feeling good in a way, a prayer on my lips, and a blessing in my heart, not to mention a full belly and food for the road, as they would always pack a sack lunch to take with me.

By the last week of June of ’86, I was on the edge of heaven, the great Redwood Forest. Willits was like the gateway to the redwoods, though the main forest was farther north, and spreads out in all directions from there. Following 101 north if I got one ride in a day I was blessed. I was in no hurry, and was enjoying the countryside. Trees as far as the eye could see outwards, or upwards in some places.

As I reached Garberville, just south of the Avenue of the Giants, I took a day to rest. I had decided to walk the Avenue and see the trees, and was not disappointed in the least. It was a long hike, even catching a few rides, but well worth it, following California Highway 254 from the Phillipsville exit north to Pepperwood, winding back and forth along the Old 101. Getting to the small dot on the map called Weot, I stopped at a hiker campground there, and spent a few days just walking in the woods along the South Fork Eel river.

The Weot hiker-biker camp is mainly a few tables set in a way that people can just pitch a tent and camp for a night. There was a bathroom with running water, but no hot water or a shower. Attached to each table, was a cabinet with a latch.  If you had a lock, which I didn’t, you could lock things up, and stay camped there as you hiked around the area. I just pitched my tent and left security to the Lord for a few days.  For $2 a night it was more than worth the stay.

It was nice to hike around in the trees without a pack on my back, though after having it on for so long, it made me feel funny without it. I thought it strange, I started out this time in Kansas with a simple knapsack, with a few changes of clothes, and by then I had a large framed pack with tent, bed roll, an extra ground tarp, and that on top of the clothes and food I was carrying. Leaving it all behind with nothing but a zippered tent and a prayer to keep it safe.

The Lord never let anything happen to it, and I was happy with no weight for a few days. As the road can tend to drag a person down if they let it, any break from the long haul was a blessing, and I did get plenty of rest, even sleeping in past sunrise my second day there.

There were no lights in the camp, and as it was shady under those trees; when it got dark out, it was dark. After trying to cook soup in a black night my first night there, I made sure the next night to be back early enough to not only cook something to eat, but do some reading as well.

Those ancient trees put me in mind of the Lord Himself planting them, and at one stop I saw they had set up a date-line tree, that showed it to be around before the time of the flood, and even a sapling before that. In my mind I could see the Lord walking through those trees, smelling the morning air, clean and cool. I could see the way the branches were hanging down, like they were bowing before Him.

He walked the first trail, through forest tall,
    majestic branches bowing low, as he passed.
He watched as antelope and bison, fed with deer,
    roaming playfully through fields of new grain.

He walked the small trails with the goat and ram,
    smelling the first breath of mountain air.
He smiled with joy as flocks of birds filled the skies,
    swirling gracefully on a gentle breeze.

He sang the songs of His heart, to the dolphin and whale,
    and they sang it back from the waves of the deep.
He beheld the sunrise in wonder of the day,
    and the stars He numbered one by one.

He reached down His hand, deep in the soft soil,
    it’s fineness sifting through His fingers,
A tear of joy and sorrow fell to the dust in His hand,
    He shaped it with His hand, and He smiled.

Even with taking the few days to rest up, I still made it to Eureka, California before the 4th of July. I had made great time crossing the south, and with school just letting out, I got better rides for the most part. Having seen some construction going up as I got to Eureka, I thought I might stop there for a week and get some work. It didn’t work out that way, but I did try.

Eureka had both a soup kitchen and a mission, which is where I spent my first night. It was nice, nothing grander than a 100 bunk beds stacked in one room, but it was out of the night air, and a hot shower as well. They had a clothing room there, and I found a new pair of jeans that fit nicely.

In the down town area, they have the Old Town shops, and the coolest fountain park. Not very big, just the fountain and several round stone bench seating places, but quite a few people went through that area. With the crowd came the panhandlers and the loud drunks arguing with no one but themselves at times.

I spent my second day there, just sitting in the park chatting with others, some were homeless, camped out on the edge of town, others that I thought homeless lived in the apartments above the shops. Common people worn out over time and abuse to themselves, living day to day in a world they had grown accustomed to. Winos and drug users, sitting through the day with broken politicians and rich folk who had wasted their wealth on life.

Though a few wouldn’t speak at all, and some spoke too loudly of themselves, there were many that day that spoke of life and shared their side of life gladly. Many knew where they were in life, and that the Lord alone could see them from one day to the next. Some spoke of troubles that brought them to where they were, but most knew in their hearts it was their own doing that brought them there.

I had many a prayer that day, and a good meal at the St. Vincent du Paul soup kitchen.  Well it was a hot meal, so, for me it was good. As I finished prayer for my food, I noticed a young couple watching me, as though they had never seen a person pray before. I just smiled at them and said, “Better a blessing now, so it don’t kill me later.”

They smiled, but shook their heads. They told me they were camping on the beach, out on the other side of the Samoa bridge. I asked if there were a lot of others camped out over there, and they were quick to say no. It seemed most would rather not walk all that way back to town each day, but they didn’t mind.  The walk was good and the place was quiet, and out near the beach.

I thought about that through the day, and decided to have a look before it got too dark. The walk was a long one, over three bridges, hopping over small islands to the Samoa peninsula, though it was technically an island itself. I made it as far as the second island and decided to make camp under the bridge.  At least I would be dry if it rained.

Chancing my things to the hand of the Lord once more, I walked back to town, and caught a service at the mission that night. It was rather nice to be sitting in on a church service, being on the road so much of the time it was hard finding one Sundays mornings.  It was a good service.  The minister for the night was one from the mission, and spoke strongly of those that know of the Lord, yet still refuse to accept salvation, though cutting it short before the “Hellfire and brimstone” started.

The meal was good and there was plenty of it.  The chapel was taken down in seconds by willing and practiced hands. The chairs taken up and moved, replaced by tables, all done so smoothly, it showed how long some had been coming there. After the meal I offered to help in the kitchen with clean up, but they had more than enough help. The tables were cleared away and the seating placed again for the next day’s service.

It was just getting dark, and as I got back to camp for the night, I praised God my things were still there, and not even moved. Digging out a flashlight, I sat up and read for a bit out of Samuel, and the trials of David before he was made king. I could see that space under the bridge as if it were the cave in which David had hidden, and then came across Saul while he slept.

The 4th of July was a great day, entertainment through the day, good people, and food in plenty. Many shops downtown, as well as from out of town, had small booths set up for people.  Several restaurants in town had provided meat and snacks for a good barbecue, one grand picnic, along with live music, and even a clown wandering through the downtown area.

I sat in one of the circle benches and had the best show. Several of the people I had seen the day before were back, as well as many others. It was something to see all the people there getting along, though with any great group, especially on a holiday in a town where a lot of drinkers live, a few arguments broke out. Even those did not last long, and people paid little attention. It was a beautiful day that ran even into the evening.

Wanting to take in another service whenever I could get them, I went back to the mission for dinner service. It was a true blessing, to spend the day in such a festive mood, but I always like a good message, and that night seemed a blessing overflowing from the day.

A youth group from Fortuna was there to give the service that night, and I could truly feel the spirit move in that place.  Their music was mostly contemporary, but they added in a few old gospel hymns for others to sing along with. When one of the young ladies stood up and sang “El Shaddai” without music, my heart nearly melted. Talk about hearing an angel sing, it was a sound straight from heaven.

The message they brought that night was on creation, and God’s blessing of the world. The young man, though about my age, spoke of how the world was made in preparation for the coming man child, and how as a good Father, the Lord saw to it that we had all things as a blessing for our future. They closed out the service by singing my favorite song of all, Amazing Grace, and hearing all those gathered joining in to sing, was like a choir.

Service let out and as I was still full from the barbecue throughout the day, I didn’t feel the need for staying for dinner. Instead I headed out to a viewing area to watch the fireworks, and what a nice showing it was. For such a small town as Eureka, they had a great light display. After the message, and seeing the fireworks burst across the sky, I was put in a mind towards God creating the universe. Throwing a handful of dust in the air, and spreading the stars across heaven.

Celestial gardens I see at night,
God’s own works viewed so bright.
Thoughts I have as I see those sights,
Hopes I utter in the words I write.
Feeling loved, and knowing it is right.

The love You show gives me strength,
From Your guiding light, hope is seen.
From heavenly words, the truth I read,
Granted to a lost soul like me,
So contentment, I could truly know.

As I search the sky, I realize,
That I am but a worthless fool,
For You are not found in heaven above,
Your spirit is here, within our heart,
Teaching us just how to love.

You came at my call, to answer my need,
A nourished body, a strengthened heart,
And a soul that forever will be.

Many are the times I can not understand,
Why You would give me peace of mind,
When all I can do, is search the sky,
For signs of Your triumphant return,
In the stars I view at night.

I headed back to camp then, full of food and the spirit of God’s love. It was a beautiful day, and an even more beautiful night, and I was glad of the time the Lord had given me to rest from my journey. But the Lord was not done with me that night, and what happened truly changed my life, more than anything I have ever had happen to me.

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About JesusPuppy

Born in Kansas, with only basic education and learning, Ed Pennewell sought a Godly life in the world, and from the sorrow there, has placed his thoughts to written words. Taking the name JesusPuppy while in the mission field, his greatest goal in life has been to show God’s love and light to all he meets. He places his heart in the things he writes, in hopes they touch an other’s life and bring them hope. JesusPuppy is a simple man, working as a carpenter while writing praise to the Lord, living on the Northwest coast of United States of America. You can find further works as well as Ebooks from JesusPuppy at… http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=13847Or follow the weekly series here at Cypress Time.D14…D14 – Part 1: http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=20107  – D14 – Part 2 – The Dead Star: http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=20199 D14 – Part 3 – Rebirth (Pt1): http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=20400 D14 – Part 4 – Rebirth (Pt2): http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=20516 D14 – Part 5 – Adam’s Flock:http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article.cfm?articleID=20684D14 – Part 6 – Enoch’s Counsel (Pt1):http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article.cfm?articleID=20815D14 – Part 7 – Enoch’s Counsel (Pt2): http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=20912 D14 – Part 8 – Enoch’s Counsel  (Pt3) http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=20993 Beyond the Mirror, is a work in progress that will be added to as the new chapters are completed…Part One, The Wall of Fire, http://thecypresstimes.com/article/Faith/Christian_Fiction/BEYOND_THE_MIRROR_Part_1/21113 Part Two, Paradise Awaits,http://thecypresstimes.com/article/Faith/Christian_Fiction/BEYOND_THE_MIRROR_Part2_Paradise_Awaits/21205 Part Three, The Mirror of God, http://thecypresstimes.com/article/Faith/Christian_Fiction/BEYOND_THE_MIRROR_Part_3_The_Mirror_of_God/21277 You can also check out a few of my poems here as they go online at Cypress Times. It is a selection of Biblical poems and Psalms that speak of my praise to the Lord JesusPuppy Poetry page,http://www.thecypresstimes.com/SubSection/Poetry/Jesus_Puppy/530 Now you can look for the JesusPuppy story appearing in the Mission section of Christian Life.http://www.thecypresstimes.com/subsection.cfm?sectionID=497 Please feel free to comment on any and all articles written for CypressTimes. I welcome all comments or questions.

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