by Jeanni Ritchie
Backpacker Joe returned to Louisiana, this time by car, as he made his way back across the country.
His original journey, from east to west, was done on foot with three main goals: repentance for his sins, praying for the country, and trusting in God’s divine providence. In all, Joe walked 3375 miles over 346 days, praying for thousands along the way.
Sharing the story of his journey and all that the Lord has shown him was the highlight of two recent visits in Louisiana. Welcoming friends, old and new, at the StoryBrew Coffee Cafe in Natchitoches brought visitors as far away as Texas. The next day a reception was hosted at Prompt Succor’s Divine Providence Center for Joe where more guests came from across the state to hear him speak.
With eight journals filled throughout the walk, Joe has many stories to tell. He plays an integral part in my own story.
Joe came through Alexandria around the time I’d commuted to faithfully following the Lord again after major life changes. Only I was still doing it MY way. Meeting Joe, and seeing the obedience he had to what the Lord wanted for his life, was intriguing. But more than that was the peace and joy that radiated from within him. I wanted that for myself and I knew that it started with complete surrender to Christ.
Within a month I’d completely let go of everything I was still holding onto, including my own vision for my life. There was absolutely nothing in my life that I wanted more than that peace I saw in Backpacker Joe. I needed to still a frequently tormented mind and somehow I knew the key was in this young man’s story.
Joe and I stayed in touch over the next few months as he completed his journey. He might’ve been younger than my own son but in many ways he was years wiser than me. I learned a lot about serving God faithfully and trusting in His will and divine providence from Joe.
He has a few planned stops as he makes his way back to Indiana, revisiting places he stopped along his journey as well as reconnecting with old friends. He isn’t sure exactly what he will do when he gets back home but he is certain of one thing: God has a big plan for his life and he plans to follow it.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.