DAY SIX, Saturday, September 10th! of Trey's Trek cont.....

David Parvu arrived this morning to assist me in walking this last day of the first week of Trey's Trek.
 It would be the most challenging leg of the walk thus far...

Last night after arriving at the Church in Mt. Morris, we met with Pastor Alverson and some other brothers who spent some time praying with us about Dearborn and the Church.  The weariness in my body was evident but my spirit was very encouraged by the reception that we received when we arrived!  

When we arrived at the church Tony's wife came and 'fetched' him and he headed home!  I have to tell you that the two days he walked with me would have been a real 'bear' to handle, without Tony being there.  Brother you are to be commended!  Huah!

Pastor Alverson took me home and I cleaned up.  Then Sister Alverson managed a wonderful meal at their place for supper.  I got to bed but again did not sleep so well.  I think that the weariness of my body and the anticipation of what was before me the next morning made for a fitful rest.  Anyway when the Sun began coming up, the alarm on my Black Berry sounded and I wrestled myself up and showered again to help get my old frame mobile enough to move downstairs for a wonderful breakfast that Sister Alverson prepared again.   It was better than a grand breakfast at the Weston!  Anyway... we ate and I packed what I had in my backpack and off to the Church we went to be able to commence the last day of the first week of the Trey's Trek to Mackinaw.  

When we arrived at the church, David Parvu, an awesome young man who I have known for a long time, who lives in Dearborn, drove up to make the leg of the trek from Mt. Morris, MI to Saginaw Township, MI.  This leg would be the most arduous of the whole 17 days of walking from Dearborn to Mackinaw City!  If anyone, David was certainly the person who I would have picked to make this particular leg with me.  

I have to tell you, that in my life...I have never walked this far in a single day, ever!  Not even in getting in shape for this whole event did I have any point of reference for what this day would hold!  I did not even know what it would take from me, in the form of energy and my endurance and even in my mental capacity to complete what was set out before us!  But I did know this... I could not quit!  That was not even an option!   

You see, in High School... the very first varsity Wrestling match that I ever wrestled which I was a Sophomore, we were to take on Carver High School from across town.  In those days the 'Black / White' issue was tense!  Carver was for the most part a 'Black School' and 'E. B. Erwin' High School in Center Point was going through a desegregation process because we were mainly 'White.'  From my memory it was the first time a 'Black School' had come to compete against us at Erwin at least for wrestling.  Times were tense... in the early 70's.   There were certain things you did not say or mention in those days but you could cut the tension with a knife!  

So when the Carver Athletes arrived, we all met in the hallway between the wrestling room and the training room near the huge Coke machine that Coach Armstrong always kept full of Dr. Peppers and waited our turn... when called for, to weigh in!  First there was "Tuffy" then maybe two others who stepped up on the scale before me.  Then it was time for me to weigh in at 125 lbs.  

Coach Jeffery called... well saying that he 'called' is a bit mild.  He grawled my last name and said "Hancock, get in here and step up on this scale..."  I obeyed... and to my amazement that long arm on that huge round face that starred back at me as it swung up and then back and then back again the other direction, did not stop at the 125 mark!  It ever so slightly went past the 125 on the face of the scale and showed that I needed to loose another quarter of a pound before I would be allowed to compete at that weight.  

From what I remember... Coach Jeffery said...."get off, I'll fix you!"  I have to tell you that what ever "fix" meant, that my stomach was not feeling like it was going to be something very good!  Hmm... was something broke!  Yah, it was me!  I had not cut sufficient weight to make the grade at 125 lbs.  So several more young men came into the tiny room and weighed in and at the 155 lb weight class he grawled at me again to get back up there and weigh!  Of course at this weight I clearly..."made weight"!  But what I saw there made my heart sink!

Standing next to the scale, I watched as a Carver Wrestler at the 155 lbs weight class who had to have been at least 6' 3" tall stepped up on the scale and made weight.  He came in at or under 155 lbs.    For him that was good but what made my heart sink was... from my perspective (which was about 5' 7") in those days... his huge 'afro' hair style which seemed to me to be another 6" on top of the 6' 3" height and went out in every direction almost looked like it touched the ceiling!  I have to tell you that Fear gripped me!  I melted like butter in my heart!  I felt like I was facing a death penalty and Coach Jeffery was the Judge!  The photo below is what he looked like 'exactly' in the early 70's at Erwin High School.  His image will for ever be branded into my brain!

Coach Jim Jeffery 

He further said, "I will teach you not do to this again!"  I thought... 'Oh great!'  I didn't like  wrestling anyway!  But right now... there was more to be concerned about because that guy whose head seemed to touch the ceiling was going to walk out on the mat for my very first varsity match and pulverize me!  

What had I done?  how could I fix this?  Well to make a long story, short... We had been handling Carver High pretty good for this match and now it was my time for me to step out onto the mat with that giant that I weighed in with downstairs!  But as I looked across the mat... what did I see?!  The fear in my heart rose to a new level!  When that Carver Wrestler put on his head gear, the hair on his head conformed to the head gear and in huge 'afro' 'blocks of hair' that stuck out everywhere, at least from what I could tell!  (I was so scared that I was probably seeing things)  I thought to my self... how was I going to handle this?  How do you wrestle a black guy with hair coming out 'everwhere' which made him look huge!  It scared the living daylights out of me!  What was I to do!  Run?  Are you kidding!  Coach Jeffery was sitting over there and I would have had to run through him to get away... so facing this huge wrestler would be easier!  So I stayed!  But in reality, it didn't make it any easier!  He was still there when the whistle blew to start the match!  I had to engage or be called for stalling! 

When we came to the middle of the mat and shook hands, his manly hand seemed to wrap around mine as he peered down at me like a fish in an aquarium!  To say the least, he mopped the mat with me!  He had me 8 to ZERO at the end of the first two minutes of the match which is the first round!  He had me so intimidated that I literally let him have his way with me and he beat me like a 'Government Mule'!  At that point my heart said that there was nothing that I could do about this but survive!  

At the last few seconds of round 1 he had turned me to my back over on our side of the mat.  So to forgo the embarrassment of getting pinned at home by this monster, I bridged up on my neck and to my amazement there was Coach Jeffery sitting in his chair like he always did.  Except for this time he was sitting up on the edge of his chair with his hands cupped around his mouth and saying to me...."just submit, go ahead and just submit..."  I have to tell you that those words which I could hear him say, actually made me mad!   Yep!  I got angry!  I couldn't believe what he was saying to me!  He was telling me to 'quit!"  What, quit?!  How in the world...?  Is he serious?  QUIT!  What?  Then the whistle blew... the round was over and thankfully I was not pinned!  The Carver Wrestler had 'wiped the mat' with me!  

What took place next was quite amazing!  I don't remember much about the particulars of  the match but I do remember taking the "up" position at the beginning of the 2nd round and I ended up riding my opponent for two solid minutes!  (those were the days of Riding Time in High School) Then at the beginning of the 3rd round I was on bottom.  Immediately 'on the whistle', like lightning, I switched him and got back on top and rode him out until the end!  When the horn sounded at the end of the match, I had won by a score of 9 to 8!  

I can still remember what my arms and legs felt like.   They were on fire along with my lungs!  Not only that, I could hardly even move my fingers, I was so spent!  Everything that I had, had gone into winning that match and after the Ref raised my hand and I started off the mat toward our bench, I remember my team mats coming to meet me with cheers and well wishings.  And as I passed Coach Jeffery, he said!  "Serves you right! Now go sit down!"  Now I Laugh out Loud!!!  It did serve me right!  It serves me right; right up until right now!  

Whether the challenge is 31.9 miles or a huge wrestling opponent with a massive afro that 'sticks out' on all sides of his wrestling head gear; quitting is not an option...at all!  And if we hang in there until the end... we end up wrestling with the best and winning!  And to learn our lessons well...we need to let the lessons "Serve us right!"  So take it from me!  Coach Jeffery was right!  Don't quit what you start!  You will end up kicking yourself for the rest of your life!  

Jesus said... "No man who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of Heaven"   Who wants a crooked forough anyway?

Coach Jeffery at the last Erwin Wrestling Match at the School (ever)
Us old wrestlers came last year to honor him for his
contribution into our lives as a Coach and an awesome Mentor
He passed away not many months after this photo was taken

With my feet on the Ground!

Simply Trey

DAY FIVE (d), September 8th! of Trey's Trek cont.....

After we passed the "House of Prayer" we were coming up on Clio Road.  The side walks had disappeared when we turned off of ML King and now we were walking on grass.  At West Carpenter and Clio, I think that we stopped and took a break.  Both Tony and I were weary but still encouraging each other in finishing this day strong!  

This is our destination for today!  

 Tony who is a "US Marine" is an amazing man!  His endurance is something else for a man that is in his mid 60's!  He was very much of an encouragement to me!   Every time I would ask him how he was doing he always said that he was fine or that he was going to make it or 'I am with you!'  

This is really random but there were some amazing sights on this Trek.  This unusual growth pictured below on the ground got my attention as we were walking along.  I don't quiet know what to make of it but seeing the pattern and colors just reminded me that Jesus is amazing in His artistic creative expressions!  

There are so many beautiful things that I have yet to see in this world.  But just knowing that there is a curse of sin which has hampered and diminished the original beauty of what Jesus created back in the beginning, because of us, just simply amazes me!  How can this still be so beautiful and diminished at the same time?  It just makes me wonder... what we see as 'beautiful'... would it really dazzle us if the 'sin issue' in our world was fully dealt with?  I am just glad that Jesus has dealt with that sin for those of us who have experienced His forgiveness!  But yet we wait for what the Earth groans for!  

God's creativity is Amazing!

After that short break we headed out again, going West.  The road just seemed to stretch on and on and on!  At this point, homes were less numerous and fields more abundant!   This means that the shoulders of the road were more defined and better for walking especially where there were no curbs or grassy yards.

Right at Judith Ann Drive and West Carpenter we turned North and jogged through this small neighborhood that dumped us out on North Jennings Road.   By now you could really tell that we were 'out of the Flint' area.  It was more rural in nature although we were just a few miles North of Town which we just walking through!  

Looking up the road from where we were, just kinda made you feel like this route would never end!  For at least the next three miles the road would not veer to the left or to the right!  It was definitely a straight shot!

When we did get close to I-475 there was a rise in the road because of the the bridge that crossed over the 'by-pass' around Flint that re-connects with I-75 just North of Town.  It was a neat experience to actually walk across an express way!  When you drive across in a car it takes only a few seconds but when you walk, you have a different perspective of where you are and the massive structure of the bridge that holds you up!  Bridges are just amazing structures that serve to join things together!  In many ways Jesus is our bride to Heaven!  That is an awesome thought!  

I have to tell you that after we reached the center of the bridge and we began to descend to the other side, I personally started to get excited, knowing that we were actually getting close to our destination!  We will be meeting Pastor Alverson there at the church!  He is a former Army Ranger and for me it is always good to see him!  

Here is a link to one of his Messages that is posted on the net!  

Pastor Larry Alverson

Now it was roughly a mile and a half to Mt. Morris Road where the Church was located!   My excitement of 'getting there' was causing my pace to increase.  I seemed to do that at the end of each day that we walked!  I would stiffen my pace and determine that I would finish strong.  Was I tired after that?  Are you kidding me? Yes!  But this day would be relatively short compared to what was coming tomorrow!  But for now, I was really not trying to think about the 31.9 miles that we were facing when the sun came up!  But for now!  The day was coming to a close and I could almost taste Supper!

When we reached Mt. Morris Road, it was a pretty wide intersection.  Tony and I turned left and started toward the Express way.  For the last few miles we could hear the cars on I-75 going by about a half  mile over to our left.   Now we could see the gas station and Burger King on the left just before you cross over the Express Way and to the Church.  

I have to tell you!  I was tired!  But the end was in sight!  Tony and I made our way toward the bridge over I-75 where we could see the entrance of the church driveway that lead to the church out in the field off to our left!  It was a welcomed sight!  

It was a very interesting journey today!  The most interesting to date!  Tomorrow would be the last Trek for this week!  I had walked 5 straight days without a single day's break!  In my training to get ready for this event, I would walk a certain distance (which was significant) but I always rested in between those days! Now I was tired but my endurance was building!  It felt good but exhausting!  Tomorrow would bring new challenges that would make for the end of an awesome week of walking from Dearborn to Saginaw!  

I felt like I had to pinch myself!  I could never have imagined that I really walked this far before in my entire life!  But I had!  I actually did it and with the help of some very faithful friends!  

With my feet on the Ground!

Simply Trey

DAY FIVE (c), September 8th! of Trey's Trek cont...

Walking through Flint...

As we walked North along Martin Luther King Avenue, we came to 180 West Van Wagner and ML King.  

There at that location is  St. George Beth El,   "Church of God in Christ".  Those people know Jesus!  This place seemed alive although we were just passing by!  I uttered a prayer that their ministry would be "long and strong!"  Lord, We pray for Pastor George who ministers there!  'Let the Holy Spirit work though these people at this Church!  Let the Flint area be the better for them being there!  In Jesus' Name!

So from St. George Church up to West Pierson Road it was a pretty much just a 'straight shot' North with good sidewalks to traverse on!  As we crossed  Pierson, the small mall that was on the North West corner of that intersection had a great neighborhood mural on the MLK side of the building.  It is great to see this kind of artwork (not graffiti) being displayed!  The neighborhood should be proud of those who are so talented!

After passing this place we seemed to pick up our pace a bit and pretty much held that constant speed for the next couple of hours.

I carried on my back a water bladder called a Camel Back and was able to drink when I needed it.  I kept pretty hydrated.  When I would begin to feel the slightest bit of 'cotton mouth', I would pull up the spout that came from the pack and drink my fill!  I am not sure how all of this works but if there was an ache in my legs or my muscles, the pain would disappear immediately after taking some water.  It was like 'a signal' was being sent from my head to my stomach that said...'hey, the stuff has been delivered so stop hurting!'  That may not be a real "technical or medical" explanation but it makes sense to me because this is what I would feel!  But that is how it worked for me on this Trek.  It is amazing how much water you go through just walking!

So up the road on the corner of Holbrook and MLK was a small white church on the South West corner of the Street.   It looked like a neat neighborhood church.  "Lord Jesus... make them a blessing where they are!"  In Jesus' Name!

As we made our way farther up, to East Carpenter on MLK, we turned West and started toward I-75 knowing that just over 2 miles from this intersection, we would turn North onto N Jennings Road.  On East Carpenter there were several churches.  They seemed to be one after the other but there was one that caught my eye!  It was...

A gathering place to talk to GOD...

I think that this one building of all the church houses that I saw along this route in the Flint area, for me, represented as a whole, a viable witness to the town!  That witness is that...talking to Jesus is important!

In fact, there is a Scripture that not only talks about communicating with God but that The LORD GOD has issued the initial invitation for us to come to Him; not only to be with Him but to converse with Him.  The passage goes like this...

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.   “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 

It is He who is saying "come now...!"  It is He who is saying "let us reason together!"  He is issuing the invitation!  And on top of that, He is saying..."let us reason together!"  What other god do you know that does this?  No other god!  Because there is no other...!  

Is this for real?  Is the King of the Universe really asking for us to converse with Him?  WOW!  This is mind boggling!  I have to stop and think to myself;  'if He is asking (me?) to reason with Him... then what does He really think of me as a person?  How do I respond to this?  

Some how we feel embarrassed to answer His invitation because of what we have done or how we have acted or what we are thinking...!  But the fact still remains!  He is actually asking us if we would "come" to Him and "reason" with Him!  He knows us!  There is nothing hidden from Him!  

So does that change the fact that we have sinned?  Not on your life!  In fact, it heightens that awareness!  Yet, He is still  inviting us to come to Him to, in effect, 'reason' this thing out!  He wants us to know that there is nothing hidden from Him and that He still issues the invitation!  He wants us to know that He loves us in spite of ourselves!  So does that mean that He is turning a 'blind eye' to our sin?  Don't kind yourself!  He knows everything about us and He still pursues us!  He knows us thoroughly!  Even what we have become... does not discourage Him in His invitation to us...to "come"!  

Look, He says "Though your sins are like scarlet...though they are red as crimson... ,"  does that sound to us like, He is unaware or 'stand-off-ish'... toward us because we are less than perfect?  NO!  It means that He has rightly assessed who we are and because of who He is and what He has done in and through Jesus... that He is offering us a release from our past mistakes and sins in providing for us to become what He has announced us to be "...white as snow..."!   Innocent as little lambs!  If we respond!

I don't know about you but this is more than humbling to me!  And even after we come to Him and blow it, as we are proned to do from time to time; our former nature still vi's for attention by raising it's ugly head and whispering... 'go ahead, it's ok....', do it!  (whatever it is...).  But the Scripture says...  

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

"So, what cha' gonna do whey He comes for you, bad boy, bad boy!?"  

You gotta answer that question!  He is coming!  He is calling!  He is inviting... you!  What are you gonna do about what He thinks about you!?   How are you gonna respond when He comes for you?!

With my feet on the ground!

Simply Trey

DAY FIVE (b), September 8th! of Trey's Trek cont...

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

 

Tony Hall and I entering

downtown Flint...

 After Lunch at Halo Burger in Flint, MI, Tony and I started up the crowed street again.  We walked on the West side of the road that eventually veered off to the left and became ML King Road through town. 

 

Of all the places that we walked through on our Trek to Mackinaw; Flint seemed to be the most diverse!  It wasn't necessarily the scenery or the people but the 'feel' of the place.  

After we crossed the River there in town, we came to the intersection of ML King and Saginaw.   We took ML King and headed North.  I don't have any photos to share with you for the next couple of hours of walking simply because of the tension that we sensed while walking through the neighborhood.  

It was like no one noticed us but everyone knew we were there!  I haven't felt that sort of tension since the Islamic leadership organized a community protest at the Dearborn Public School Council Meeting where a notice was passed out to folks that were there to beware of Trey and Becky Hancock and Dearborn Assembly of God, back a few years ago !  

So my usual customary practice of greeting folks as we walked along... by waving at people that came by or drove by us, was something that I continued to do but the response was much different.  It was interesting to say the least!  So I did not take the phone out of my pocket to shoot any photos.  Sorry!  

The farther we walked out of downtown the larger the homes were becoming.  You could tell that at one time, this part of town was almost majestic!  Some of the homes are good sized but now are fallen into disrepair!  It is sad in some respects but in my heart I could sense some life was stirring!  There seemed to be some flickers of hope in certain areas and then some blocks held an attitude or spirit that seemed contrary to the light.   There were empty lots where houses used to be and older homes that just seemed to refuse to die!   

Then all of the sudden around the 1400 block of ML King there were new houses that seem to have been built in the last few years or so!   They were less than half the size than the ones closer to town but they were new and lively!  The yards were neat and kept!  Items around the homes seemed to have their designated places and you could tell the residence took pride in what they had! But all around them were empty lots and abandon houses.   In comparison, these homes were like stubborn shoots of grass pushing their way up through concrete toward the sun!  It was refreshing to see!  It was encouraging!

 

There was one place where Tony and I stopped and rested for about 15 minutes to catch our breath and eat some snacks!  This place was at West Baker Street and ML King.  We walked over in the parking lot of what seemed like a party store and sat down on the curb and rested our feet and took some nourishment.  We needed it at this point!  Even here, the feeling was that 'no one was paying us any mind to us but that we were being watched!'  So as soon as we caught our breath and rested our feet a bit, we were on our way again!  

When we started out, we looked North, up the street where the road just seemed to 'go off into infinity' with houses and trees just bunching together into a point somewhere 'out there!'  And as you walked along, it seemed to not move but that you were walking into some sort of traveler's hole that had no bottom or end to it!  This feeling would come back several times during this trek as the road in front of us and behind us would seem to just disappear into a point over the horizon with no turns or points of reference that you could gauge your progress by!  It would have been a sick feeling in our hearts, if not for knowing where we were on the map!  That is a critical lesson in 'orientation!'  Being able to read the map and track our progress was vital in maintaining our motivation to reach our destination!  Hmmm? I wonder if life is really like that too? Personally, I gotta know that there is some sort of lesson here!  

Following Jesus 'on the road of life' is probably the same sort of thing!  Sometimes "Life" can be like a dark hole or a road that seems to go no where in particular!   

But there is a destination and a purpose for traveling the road that we are all on!   That road is to take you somewhere!  It is to give you passage to the place that you are walking to.   The road that Jesus has paved for you to walk on!

The road that we walked on was a road that had been traveled on by so many people, so many time before... we had even set foot on it!  It seemed at times, that the road was chalked full of hope as we walked along and at other times it made us feel like we were walking through some murky swamp.  And this swamp had hidden sink holes where 'gators' and 'snakes' lurked!  Then there was those pesky mosquitoes that filled the air while 'gator/snakes' were lurking just under the surface, waiting for you to get close enough to them to latch on to you and pull you under!  

But what ever the road contained, you can know that Jesus knows were you are at any given moment in time on that road and is not just standing by, waiting for you to haphazardly 'fall in' or 'take a wrong step' just so He will have some sort of sadistic satisfaction in saying... "I told you so!"  

"I told you that you were a bad traveler!" 

 

"I told you that you were not going to make it!" 

 

"I told you that the devil was going to get you!" 

 

"I told you that you were no good!" 

 

"I told you that you were rebellious!"

  

"It told you that you would not make it!"

  

"I told you that you would fail!" 

 

"I told you!"  "I told you!"  "See what you have done!"  

NO!  A million times NO!  This is not Jesus' heart toward you at all!  Now granted,  this is how other so called 'gods' treat you!  But Not Jesus!  He says... "come to me... all of you who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls."  

What a comparison!  He said that "He would lead you in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake!"   

Some of you need to hear that right now!  

Some of you are in 'the swamp';  in 'the murk' and you are there because of your own doing!  You have no one else to blame... but yourself!  But you don't have to stay stuck there or remain disoriented in your heart of hearts!  Jesus is ready to lead you out!  He was not kidding when He said..."come to me!"  I dare you!  Ask Him for help!  He will answer you!  That is His heart toward you!

With my feet on the ground... 

Simply Trey

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

Day THREE (out of order) September 7th! Trey's Trek continued...

Mark Hubbard and Trey Hancock

We awoke up this morning and got ourselves ready to continue the Trek North... My friend Mark Hubbard, Grand son of the famed 'Orville Hubbard', long time Mayor of Dearborn came down from Fenton, MI to walk with me today!   The route North was to run right by the Hubbards home, so Mark decided that he would join me!

Today 'this man' was a real encouragement to me!  His upbeat attitude and outlook on life is contagious!  First of all, I did not have to walk by myself and second, he talks to you!  In fact I really learn from Mark!  He not only has neat stories to tell but his experience with Jesus is something else!   He is better than a "Talk Radio Station"!  If I were in Alabama, I would probably say it like this... "He can talk the back legs off a billy goat..." but I am not in Alabama right now so the Talk Radio (word picture) will have to suffice!   Besides he never repeats himself and everything that he says is awesome!  And when he laughs... The trees shake! 

"Hubba Bubba!"
(standing in front of an ant hill!)

But don't mess with him, he will make you think that he can immobilize you with those "Jew jit sue" moves he knows!  But I learned the greatest counter to that stuff!  Just bite whatever is closest to you and the 'hold' just goes away! It's that Simple!  LOL!  Ask him 'if it ain't so!"


It was to be a shorter trek today but mid way through the walk it started raining and it continued a light down pour from 12:30pm to when we arrived at his house just South of Fenton around 4:30pm!  The early part of the morning was cool and overcast as we started out!  We wound our way around the back roads from Commerce Lake up to Denton Hill Road but when we got to M-59 we stopped at Burger King for a bite of lunch!  It was there just after noon when the rain started falling!  It was a gentle but steady rain that soaked us to the bone as we finished our lunch and started up the road again!  I really felt bad for Mark because he did not bring a hat or a rain coat or anything to combat the uncomfortableness of trekking in the 'moisture!'  I had my rain gear with me in my back pack but just did not have the heart to stop and put on my 'stuff' in front of him as he was walking along just getting drenched!  

2 "Super Soakers"
at the end of a 14 mile trek...
and most of it in the pouring rain!

So we "enjoyed" the scenery together as we walked through the countryside on the dirt roads as cars past by and wondered why two middle aged men were sloshing around in the mud out in the middle of no where...you know people were saying to themselves as they would drive by... 'what are they doing out here in the rain?'  We would just smile and wave and try to make folks think that we were enjoying ourselves!  Truth be known...it was fun being together but is was really uncomfortable!  But such is life!  Jesus said that it would rain on the "good and the bad"!  And I can tell you that it literally rained on us!  Both of us!  I just wonder which one was the good one and who was the bad?  I know it must have been me (the bad...)  for even thinking of asking someone to walk with me in the rain, through the mud for over 14 miles!  'Mark... "you are very much too good friend for me!"  This I know!  Thanks Brother!  I owe you! 


But I gotta hand it to him!  Mark, much like Jesus, sacrificed his comfort to be with me on this particular day!  It is a lesson worth experiencing!  Just knowing that he was uncomfortable but did not let that detour him from  his commitment of walking with me every step of the way today...even in the pouring rain!  For me, the persistence of Mark was just a sliver of revelation to the reality of what Jesus went through for me!   Recognizing the sacrifice of others is a starting place for us when we think that we are the only ones in the world that have a struggle or a problem and that 'no one understands' what we are 'going through'!  


Don't kid yourself!  "In this life you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I (Jesus) have overcome the world!"  Remember these words "I will never leave you or forsake you!"


Thank you Jesus!


With my feet on the Ground... (and in the mud!)


Simply Trey