The Great American Journey: praying and walking for America

Lyn Hanush, Joni Balog and Cassie pose in front of The Piggott Times while on their way to Missouri. (Times photo/Carla Wagster)

An unusual trio walked through Piggott on March 2-3. Joni Balog, Lyn Hanush and Cassie Balog (a German shepard dog) passed through Pollard, where the group wrote a prayer on a rock and prayed at the John Howell memorial and then passed through Piggott and St. Francis on their way to Florida.

The group which also includes four other members, is on a prayer- walk mission called the Great American Journey, which represents the Paso Robles, Calif. based Seek Him First Ministries. The prayer-walk will take them through 15 states. Their walk, which started on May 12, 2003, at Peach Arch Park in Blaine, Wash., will end 4, 503 miles later this year in Key West, Fla. on or about July 7.

The purpose of the group includes: a walk of rememberance, hope, unity and prayer for the nation; a time to meet people and participate in local experiences in various regions of the country; an encouragement for people to walk and see this great country; a time to share together beliefs, hopes, dreams and time for discussion; and also a time for fun.

Hanush, coordinator of the group, was born in Livermore, Calif. and grew up in Visalia, Calif. She currently lives in the San Luis Obispo area of California. She has been an avid walker for 20 years. This journey will be a fulfillment of a 50 year dream, although the original dream was to bicycle across the United States.

Balog was born near London, and grew up in Kent, located southeast of London. She worked as a draftswoman for several years but she wanted to see the world. She traveled to Europe, Australia and eventually ended up in San Jose, Calif. - and stayed for the last 40 years. She loves to hike and backpack, especially when she can take her dog, Cassie.

Cassie is the group's mascot. When she was three months old, it was discovered that she had a hole in her heart. She was taken to University of California Davis' animal hospital and had open heart surgery. She is now a healthy 90 pound healthy four-year-old who loves to hike and is a very loving companion to the group.

Other team members are Anne Foster, Samantha Garrett, Joan Thomas and Owashta Bishke Walilike (Traveling Dog Walking). The ministry is a tax emempt project and the members can be reached at Seek Him First Ministries, 2307 Mesa Vista Court, Paso Robles, Calif. 93446-6315. The group also have a web site that is updated and has team member's journals and photos the group have taken on their journey at www.greatamericanjourney.com.

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 The Great American Journey: praying and walking for America

An unusual trio walked through Piggott on March 2-3. Joni Balog, Lyn Hanush and Cassie Balog (a German shepard dog) passed through Pollard, where the group wrote a prayer on a rock and prayed at the John Howell memorial and then passed through Piggott and St. Francis on their way to Florida.

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