When people find out JC & Melanie are walking across America, they have many questions.
Here, they will provide some of the answers.
How do you know the way to take?
We are following the American Discovery Trail, which utilizes rural roads & rail trails, along with some rocky paths through the wilderness. The ADT provides a turn-by-turn that gives detailed directions.
http://www.discoverytrail.org/
What is your destination?
Point Reyes, California!
Where did you start?
We began with our feet in the Atlantic Ocean, at the Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware.
Why are you walking across America?
We go, praying God will open up to us a door for the word.
'Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.' John 17:17 NASB
When we met, we soon discovered 2 significant things we have in common: We believe Yeshua (translated Jesus) is the Christ, the Son of the living God; and God raised Him from the dead. He has the power to not only save our souls, but also to give abundant life, not only in heaven, but also in His kingdom here on earth. In addition, we had an overwhelming restlessness & desire to rid ourselves of excess possessions in order to travel light...wherever the Lord would lead us.
After each of us became homeless as a result of eliminating possessions, and we got married, we continued to seek God's plan for us. One day, we met a man who liked the Scripture decals on our truck. Upon hearing our desire to go & make disciples, he exclaimed, and asked if we'd ever heard of the American Discovery Trail. We had not. So, we went home and got on the computer.
Discoverytrail.org showed a map of the United States of America with a red line across it, illustrating a path across the country, east coast to west coast.
JC: "You wanna walk across America?"
Melanie: "When are we leaving?"
When will you finish your walk?
That is a question only the Lord can answer : )
Are you raising money?
No. We do not ask individuals or congregations to fund our walk.
During the winter months, we work.
We do, however, support & speak on behalf of the brethren who are working diligently to build up the body of Christ, and provide for children & orphans, in impoverished Haiti.
https://www.hopeforhaitischildren.org/
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27 NASB
What denomination are you?
We are not of a denomination. According to the Holy Bible, we are members of the ekklésia (an assembly, congregation) of Christ, having died to sin and now living to God. Therefore, the inspired word of God is our authority as we pursue the life of discipleship that Christ calls us to, as His followers.
We assemble with the brethren on the first day of the week to partake of the bread & the cup, and for mutual edification.
http://pleasanthillchurchofchrist.org/
Colossians 3:16 KJV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Why sheep & goats?
by Melanie:
A few years before I met JC, God had moved Jacob & me to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for a number of reasons. He challenged us to continue to grow in the knowledge of His word, and began training us to serve others. In the process, we discovered the contrast of the righteous and the unrighteous, simultaneously with sheep and goats, in Matthew 25:31-46. Therein, we find some of the qualities of those to whom the King will grant the kingdom.
I began writing lessons based on the acts of kindness Jesus describes in verses 35 & 36. The elders of our congregation allowed me to share what I was learning with the children and women.
During JC's and my courtship, I described to him the way Jacob & I were learning to serve others, and how excited I was to incorporate works of service into the lessons I was writing. By nature, I'm a very self-centered person and I'm grateful to God for His grace, teaching & guiding me to love as He does.
When JC & I set out together, to spread the gospel, we had in mind to do just that. Stepping out in faith, armed with His promises, having a tent in which to sleep, and money from the sale of our truck, we had no worries regarding God's provision.
Luke 12:29-32 NASB
"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."
Soon, we became eyewitnesses and blessed recipients of a very unexpected outpouring of generosity, unlike anything we had ever seen with our own eyes. The experience has been overwhelming and life-changing. By their acts of lovingkindness, individuals, families and congregations across America have inspired us to not only do more serving and to be more giving, but, also, to pay more attention to those who are too easily overlooked...and passed by.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
www.lockman.org