Lyn Hanush, left, and Joni Balog are
walking across America to pray for the nation.
They are seen here at Lake Lurleen with Cassie,
one of their canine companions. Staff Photo
| Michael E. Palmer
There are
people who would do anything to prove their love for God, even walk
thousands of miles across the United States.
That’s what Lyn
Hanush, 62, and Joni Balog, 66, have been doing for almost a year
during what they call The Great American Journey, Walking and
Praying for America.
The Californians, who have been friends
for about 20 years and avid hikers for just as long, said they have
embarked on this journey simply for God’s pleasure and to pray for
the nation.
They started their walk in Blaine, Wash., in May
2003. They stopped to camp at Lake Lurleen a couple of weeks ago
before continuing on to Jemison, about halfway between Birmingham
and Montgomery, and ultimately to Key West, Fla., where the journey
will end.
“I think what we want to accomplish most is to give
glory to God," said Hanush, who is the coordinator of the walk. “We
won’t know the results of our prayers for everyone that we pray for
in this lifetime, but we want to let people know that we love God,
and we love them, too."
With Hanush’s son, Russ, pulling the
camper that is their makeshift home away from home, the women and
their two dogs, Cassie and Loki, have traveled more than 3,000 miles
on foot, walking and praying for each town and each person they
meet.
Before they leave a town they write a prayer for that
town and its people on a stone marker to leave near a welcome
sign.
“We pray as we walk and wave at everyone who comes
toward us in their cars," Hanush said. “With that wave goes a prayer
for the people in that car. That has been special. We’ve had a
really good response."
Hanush said truck drivers have been
especially receptive to their mission. The group even attended
Easter service at the Truckers Chapel Sunday.
“Truck drivers
are wonderful," she said. “They honk and wave. We love
them."
But no journey for God is ever easy or free of trials
and tribulations. Getting lost, bad weather and a little car trouble
is just part of the territory.
The walkers have run into both
bad weather and car trouble since they’ve been in
Alabama.
“All of our plans have gone crazy, but we believe
that ultimately God’s plan comes through," Hanush said.
“We
don’t mind walking in rain. We actually love it, but when it comes
to thunder and lightening, we like to play it safe. But each time
it’s rained, God has gotten us in the camper just in
time."
Though the prayer walk has been nearly a life-long
dream for Hanush, Balog said she didn’t know that dream was going to
include her too.
“She made me do it," she said with a laugh.
“No, she invited me, and I said, 'great.’"
Balog said she and
Hanush have been on many hikes and prayer walks together, and this
walk has strengthened their friendship and their faith.
“This
is not only a lot of fun for us to be together, but we are meeting
people and really seeing the United States the best way you can,"
she said. “It’s so God-inspired."
Hanush said the journey has
taken the walkers to places such as a Crow reservation in Montana
where people told them not to go, but they’ve come out
unharmed.
“You learn to really appreciate every person," she
said. “God has blessed us."
