Chapel in the Valley
I am not sure I knew what was going on when I woke up this morning. After waking up around 5 am every morning the 8:30 wake up time was a new experience. As well I was a little disoriented because of where we pitched out tents. After a nearly 115 mile biking day we rode into an area called Swan Valley, which can barely call itself a town. Not knowing where to camp, and after some fervent searching, we were graciously hosted by the “Chapel in the Valley” presbyterian church. Rev. Adrian B. Washington allowed us to use his church facilities…needless to say we were all delighted, we even had a shower (aka..a hose from a faucet …but it was delightful). After such hospitality we all decided we should attend the church service this morning, hence why we could all sleep in!
Although we have been biking and living in our intentional community the outside world has been on my mind, especially in the last few days with the conflict which has escalated between Israel and Hezbollah (Lebanon). With these thoughts circulating Rev. Washington’s message about “Who’s Side is God on” was very pertinent. He challenged the congregation to pick a side that they felt God was behind, but instead of supporting one side or the other he gave a third option and said that indeed God was not on any side. I really resonate with this feeling that God is not on either side. Each group of people are losing innocent lives and for what? I can’t see that in the end either side is justified and until both sides can admit this the conflict is going to continue indefinitely. It has been sad to see a region of the world I care so much about in such turmoil and I can only hope that someday the violence will be truly ceased.
After being pushed to remember the world and all the turmoil that is going on right now we got back on the bike. A quick 60 or 70 miles today put us through our second state. I am absolutely amazed that already we have crossed both Oregon as well as Idaho. Wyoming seems to loom ahead as a windy mountainous state….but one with incredible beauty so I am quite excited for what lies ahead.Drew Foderaro
July 30th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Drew and all your fellow bikemovement sojourners, We have been enjoying your photos and journals so much. It is helping us to experience what you are experiencing (without the tired muscles!:) Drew, thanks for sharing about the sermon “Whose Side is God On?” I was really thinking about what you had said all week, and then this morning we had a challenging sermon “Shall the Sword Devour Forever?” by Jon and Jacqueline Hoover (they have been working in Lebanon for years.) I continue to hope and pray that all of humanity will strive to seek for peaceful solutions instead of violence which only begets violence. We are in constant prayer for all of you…”May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back…and until we meet again, may the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.” (paraphrase of an “Old Irish Blessing”). Love, Mom, (for Dad, Laurelyn and Holly too!)