Yes, in the end it was totally worth it and I would totally do it again, but no I was NOT halfway there. I dunno what I was thinking there. Suuuuper long hill though.

At this point it’s starting to sprinkle a bit so thank God (truly) I brought this umbrella! 

(Video 2)

Not much to say for this one except rain’s getting slightly bigger but it’s not that bad, the main problem’s the phone battery’s running low and yeah that do become a bit of an issue later on. Also, one of the pit stops I’ve thought of taking is at the Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, because it’s on the way to the main destination. Spoilers: (it didn’t go too well).

(Video 3)

For some context here I was running and the wind was blowing right so I had to put my umbrella in front of me to block the wind and the rain. But guess what else it blocked? My vision! And I was honestly just running calmly one second and the next, BAM. Ok it was less dramatic than that but I just completely crippled to the floor after hitting the truck and after I collapsed just started praying to God. Breath got knocked out of me hard and it’s like someone punched me in the guts except I’ve never been punched in the guts before. I was just like God heal me and my hands were hurting and legs and was just trying to calm my heart rate and genuinely a bit panicking however by the Grace and strength of the Lord I was somehow able to get back on my feet. 

Turned out the reason why I was not “hurt hurt” was because the umbrella took half the blow. Ironic the one thing that caused me to stumble’s the same thing that really helped me from crumbling further. But yeah, won’t be using this umbrella anymore. 

(Video 4)

I was so relieved and it’s funny looking back how dead focused I was on finding this phone charger. But then again you’ve gotta understand cause there aren’t no way I’m walking another three miles home.

(Video 5)

Yeaaaah. So I went in and was like hey can I attend ya’ll’s service just to like learn but they were like it’s in Arabic and I was like that’s fine, still want to attend and worship our Lord Jesus Christ. However they were real serious on rejecting me and kept on saying sorry and clearly I wasn’t invited there. It was like a private club sorta thing. I mean they aren’t bad people not at all but it’s just a real bummer. But maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

(Video 6)

From this point on it’s gonna be some “filler episodes” to find me a USB-C battery charger. You can skip these if you want, cause it’s a bit of a detour from the actual destination (which is the Saint Justina Coptic Orthodox Church, and video 10’s when I start getting back on track).

Going to Hillside Community Church. I’m getting desperate here; phone’s on five percent and parents are sleeping/off faaar away and I’ve gotta have this phone to record all this so…

(Video 7)

Again no disrespect to the St Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, I definitely walked in during their sermon as well. Praise be to God through all nations!

(Video 8)

WOOOO ANY PROTESTANTS HERE?! Just kidddding. But this is a documentary so gonna be including what happened. But you gotta give them credit for their enthusiasm, however, there is a reason I’m not this type of Christian (anymore). The belief is “shallow” and not even ONE Bible verse proves Sola Scriptura; rather quite the opposite. 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 11:2, and these are just a few examples from the NEW testament.

(Video 9)

Google Maps covered up half this conversation. Anyway, after many, and I mean many, asking around for a charger finally found one and seriously saved this run. The rain stopped as well as a bonus.

(Video 10)

Me just yapping for this one. But I’m finally back on track so yayyy! Real beautiful day today, and this marks the halfway mark of the walk/run.

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Some pictures of the sights along the way!

Horse! Is there anything more to say? 🐎

Almost there!

This photo was just cool with the light coming out on one side and the plane in the center.

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AND WE’RE HERE! 

(Video 11)

Not sure if you can tell but genuinely excited for this one. I’ve been wanting to visit a Coptic Orthodox Church. 

Here are some pictures of icons!

Very beautiful icons portraying Christ’s resurrection defeating death!

I also met a friend from the school I go to who also happened to go to this Church. She introduced to me the priest, Father George, and though I did not attend their service (because there’s a conversion process for that), I did give him my phone number and yeah. Hopefully he calls me back soon. But as for now, the journey had officially come to a close. 

Here’s the stats for the run and this was truly a beautiful experience. 

So if you took anything away from this experience, prayer walks with God help a lot with our growth toward God because going outside do indeed cancel out a lot of the distractions. I’ll end this off with a Bible verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). 

Wherever we are, God be with us all, even to the end of the age. Amen.