Day Five, September 8th! of Trey's Trek continued...

Tony Hall on his second day of "Trey's Trek" as we walked through Flint

This morning, Pastor Bob Roberts came and fetched us from the Hotel and we went to breakfast with him.  I tell you...I am so thankful for friends!  Then he took Tony and I back to the Church so we could pick up the "Trek" where we left off yesterday.  He prayed for us and we headed out to the front of the church and up Porter Road to East Hill Road.  As usual, the first mile or so for me,  is used to work out the kinks in my socks and shoes as I walk along!  Just getting comfortable in my feet is important since they are the "thangs" that carry me along!  Without my feet, there would be no connection with the ground!  Without my 'spiritual feet' there would be no connection with following Jesus!  (just a thought!)  So I have learned by now to not tie my shoes too tight and also that cotton socks can blister my toes and feet!

Just over from where Porter and E. Hill intersect is the road we walked up that eventually turned into Martin Luther King Avenue.   That road carried us straight North, through the middle of downtown Flint.

When Tony and I reached E. Hill, we crossed over at the red light and walked on the North side of the street. There was no side walks there so we had to watch our step as we trekked along in the grass.  The reason we crossed the road was to be able to walk facing the traffic.  Personally I want to see what is 'coming at me.'

By this time in the trip I had found a small orange, triangular "caution" flag that I had duct taped onto the lower part of my walking stick.  (those are awesome instruments!)  I usually held that particular walking stick in the hand closest to the traffic as we walked along.  So when there were cars or trucks or whatever coming at us, I could wave at them and the walking stick would come up and the orange flag would wave and we would at least get noticed!   I can tell you that I waved at 'alot' of people who drove by.  And wouldn't you know it! Most folks would wave back!  There was only one guy on this Trek, just one person that was not really cordial!  He had a mouth like sewer!  I just wonder where he went to school?  If, in his English class the teacher taught him to talk like that or did he just not pay attention to what words mean?  Or did he even know the definitions of the words that spewing out of his mouth!  I am sure that his "Momma" didn't teach him those words!  

But culturally for me, 'waving' at folks is something that you have do... to atleast acknowledge them!  Like you are saying..."hey, have a good day!" or  "God Bless you!"  or  "Jesus Loves you!"  Acknowledging folks is important to me!   I think that it does a person good, to be greeted with a smile, not matter who it is!

So when we turned North onto 'South Saginaw Road', it was a major 'thorough fair' with a lot of traffic! There was really no side walks on this street but plenty of businesses with driveways that even had "green" areas that we could walk on.  But we had to watch for cars coming in and out of those places of business!  Being a bit more cautious was in order now because of the amount of traffic that was passing by.  But it was an interesting stroll through that portion of town, just South of Flint.

It was on this street where I purchased another American flag.  The first one I had was really ragged!  It would not be until tomorrow that I would find a 'pole' suitable enough to attach it to.   It fit well on my backpack and was light enough to carry but strong enough to shoulder the flag and high enough to be seen by those passing by as we walked along.

As we entered the Downtown area of Flint, it was around mid day and people from the surrounding businesses and City Government seemed to be outside getting some exercise or going to and or from lunch.   About midtown...

Trey... coming into Flint, MI


Tony and I saw a restaurant on the West side of the Street.  People were lined up on the inside to be able to order.  So we stopped and went in.  We joined the line up to order!  Good basic burgers they were!  If you are in downtown Flint, I recommend the place! 

Halo Burger, Downtown Flint, MI 
(people were standing in line to be able to eat in this place!)
[google maps photo]

So as we were waiting to get in the door, there was a man outside asking for some assistance.  It didn't seem like many people where paying him any mind!  So I greeted him and asked if I could help.  I introduced myself and asked him his name, which he told me but for the life of me, as I am writing this, I cannot remember!  I must be getting old!  I did not forget his name because our friend was not worthy of being remembering but that I just 'flat out' forgot!  I am so Sorry!  But if you are reading this and  know this person; just drop me a line and I will add his name in!  


We talked for a few minutes and I found out that he used to work in Flint for many years at one of the GM plants.  Now since work is almost non-existent at most of these plants, many people are out of work!  It broke my heart to know that such a fine man was out here asking for help like this!  So I invited him to have lunch with Tony and I.  He graciously accepted and we stood in line to order our food. Then we sat down to eat...together!  We thanked the Lord Jesus for our food and spent about a half hour eating and talking.  I wish I could have done more for him today but right now, sharing a meal in this crowded place was what we could do!  Thank you for taking the time to eat with us, Sir!  Maybe there will be a next time!  Maybe next time, you will have to buy me a meal!  Only the Lord knows!  Either way, I was thankful that we were able to spend some time together over a meal.  It reminds me of a sentence that I read in The Revelation that says... "the Spirit and the bride, say Come!"  And let him who hears say, "Come!"   Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."  
'Ah'lan wa Sah'lan, Ya'll!

A friend we met in Flint!  We had lunch together!

Day FOUR (out of order) September 8th! Trey's Trek continued...

The Marines have arrived!  My friend Tony Hall

This morning I started out with a new walking partner, Tony Hall from Auburn Hills Assembly of God.  His Pastor, Cal Garcia joined us on the first day of Trey's Trek when we started out from our office on Michigan Avenue and now we are getting ready to leave from the Hubbard's home in Fenton, on our way up the road to Grand Blanc.  We had walked less than 30 minutes out from Mark's house, headed North when a News Paper reporter from a local Dearborn Paper called and wanted to write an article about "Trey's Trek."  


So for about 20 minutes we talked back and forth as he asked me questions about the 'this and than'!   So the whole time I was on the phone talking to the Reporter, Tony and I were walking up some of the steepest hills in the area.  Now, for the life of me, as I sit here now thinking about it... I really can't remember trekking through that area!  Strange... but we had to have walked that way, to get to Fenton up Denton Hill!  

Just to digress a bit, Tony did arrived yesterday afternoon at the Hubbard's home and we spent the night at a local hotel that Mark put us, up in.

Another friend, Jason Wolford (also a Marine!) came over from Howel, MI and we all had supper at an awesome restaurant there in Fenton.   Mark, Tony, Jason and Me had some wonderful fellowship.  They all stayed the night because Mark because so graciously booked that hotel.  (the other reason was that his house was being remodeling!)  It was just an enjoyable time to be with 'Brothers' and encouraging each other!  No pretense, no nonsense (well, maybe some 'none sense!'...but you know what I mean!) and alot of laughter!  Just real Friends!  Thanks Men!

Mark Hubbard! (we will see him again!)
He calls himself the "Traveling Gnome!"

So here it is, the forth night and I still have not been able to get a real good night's sleep since we left Dearborn!  I can tell you that my body is a bit weary but strong!  That may sound like a contradiction in terms to describe what I was feeling but after walking three straight days without a break in between the days; I was "feeling" weary.  But I think that I am actually getting into shape both physically and emotionally, even though I walked over 300 miles during a two month period in July and August while preparing for this event.  


What was different about the first 300 miles was that those miles in preparation had a rest period in between each day that I walked. Now, although my body is tired, I can feel the endurance and the strength in my muscles actually building!  It is a strange 'combination' but if you pay attention to how your body is reacting to what you are doing, you will be able to take advantage of building up the endurance that is needed in an event like this;  to be able to go the distance!  Even in life... situations that you face can be the same as far as 'not giving up' goes,  in regards to you doing what you have set out to do!

So Tony and I came up Denton Hill Road and walked into Fenton, headed North.   We jogged over to N. Leroy Street after getting to the center of town and walked on North.  This Road eventually turned in to Fenton Road that took us up into the Grand Blanc area.

Then we intersected with E. Grand Blanc Road and turning right where we crossed over I-75 to Porter Road.  From there the road wound around and took us on up to the Church, New Life Christian Fellowship where we stopped for the Day.

I-75 was the first major express-way that we crossed over, on the Trek. When I reached the middle of the bridge, I stood there and thought about where we were at that point!  "Wow..." I thought to my self!  "I have walked to Grand Blanc, MI from Dearborn!  This is unbelievable!"  I stood there on that bridge for just a moment and pondered what was taking place!  Amazing!

The "rock" just over the mail box is where we rested!

Just to digress a bit; as we were walking up Fenton Road we took a about a 15 minute break at a place called, "Camp Copneconic".  We sat down on a big rock at the entrance of the camp and rested our feet and got something to drink!  It was there where Tony discovered that he had developed a blister.  So I was able to help him out with his foot so we could finish the trip!  Thank God for Mole Skin!

Resting at Camp Copneconic! (on a huge rock!)

Tired feet at Camp Copneconic

Brother Tony nursing a blistered foot walking up from Fenton...

Who says older people aren't 'tech savy!"

Brother Tony!  WE MADE IT!  

Trey..."WE DID IT AGAIN!"

Tony shod his feet again and we set out for the last part of the trek for today!  After we arrived at the corner of E. Reid Road and Porter in Grand Blanc, I took Tony's picture just to show, 'ya'll' we did it!'    Then he took my picture.  Both of us were 'well worn' this day!  But we looked better than we felt!

Then after we "stood in" for those "Hollywood", "photo opps," we walked around to the back of the church where the entrance was located and tried to look like we had only walked across from the street!  But after trekking over 14 miles...that is hard to fake!   All I can say is...that Brother Tony's hair looked the same when we got there as when we left!  That hat that he was wearing did not give him 'helmet hair' in the least!  I guess being a Marine helps you discipline 'everthang!'

As we were standing in the lobby of the church one of the secretaries went and fetched brother Bob and he came out like all of us preachers like to do... and greeted us!   Then he took us into his office like a good politician and we had another 'photo opp!"  I love this photo!   Pastor Bob looks like a President who is visiting his 'home ranch' and we just happened to 'pop in' on him!  LOL!  Really!  This man is an awesome Brother who knows Jesus and treats all he meets just like what Jesus would do!

This was a wonderful ending to a day of walking that was unique!  Pastor Bob helped us by getting a hotel room for us, which was an awesome treat!  In fact he even came back and took us to breakfast the next morning and brought us back to the church where we were able to continue trekking North through Flint!

Trey, Pastor Bob Roberts, Tony

Tomorrow promises to be a day like no other.  We will head North again through Flint, Michigan!  What will happen?  Who will we meet?  What will we see?  To date... 'tomorrow's Trek', will be the most interesting day yet!  It will be over 18 miles in trekking up to Mt. Morris...straight up M.L. King Avenue!  Help us Jesus, we need Your strength!

See ya'll later!

With 'our' feet on the Ground

Simply Trey