"Another Stop on the Journey...."
Robins (Iowa) Church of the Brethren
February 2004

Eileene's—
Thursday evening the phone rang, it was Don Vermilyea. I'd been waiting for him to call to discuss the upcoming Sunday services; songs, scripture text, sermon title, so I could print the bulletin. As a small congregation we were excited, expectant and wanting to hear this man tell us why he is walking all the way across America.

Outside between Cedar Rapids and Robins Iowa—
Sunday in February 10 degrees sunny and windy. Two inches or more of packed snow on many roads. We see him coming down the road. We join him for a couple miles wishing we had better gloves. He comes to a sudden stop, says "I must rest." I expected 15 seconds to a couple minutes. Not Don Vermilyea! He makes a very low bow, pulls his pack up stands up tall and immediately proceeds down the road. He says, "If I don't rest I will have a very soar back when I reach the church."

At our church—
Eileene was surprised to greet Don so early, he arrived before Sunday School time, all set up and ready. He got into his backpack and got out his "Sunday clothes" usually worn 2 hours a week and he taught us with a conviction and kindness that we may Never Forget. Don shared some experiences. How people on the road called him names, tried to run him off the road seriously 4 or more times, and a map of all the places and the trek he had come. Mentioning that he was not yet close to halfway done and was a long way from even crossing the Mississippi. He told of mosquitoes waiting and trying to drain every ounce of his blood. Of nights hiding, afraid of opening his small tent to avoid conflict with people.

So, why would this almost 54 year old gray haired, gray bearded man leave a lucrative farming business in Virginia and start this back breaking, never ending journey? When we asked him, he said "We're all on a journey, aren't we?" Then he told us he was walking for Jesus: to relate to the homeless, lonely, sick and suffering in the world. He gave us a lesson about homelessness showing us a box filled with items from the road. If you've ever seen a penny squashed by a train, you get an idea of what the items left years on the ground look and feel like. This punishment is much like what happens to the body of a homeless person. Don encouraged us to pickup items from his box and keep them. And any money he had found or was given he asked us to donate to his charity. The coins the bank would not take, we were to place in a clear jar to show any other people his story.

Don spoke and taught from Matt: 25 "I was hungry you gave me food, I was thirsty you gave me drink, naked you fed me and in prison and you visited me...(WOW) Don could really identify with that now, can we—do we? He shared in our singing and prayed with us and joined in our closeness.

He encouraged us to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. We discussed the back pack he carries, all 70 pounds, not much to put in your car, but what a cross to carry all the time, so some kind people help him carry it. Countless times he had stumbled and fallen under it's weight, yet on Don goes. His life is sad and full of pain, but what he is doing made a difference to me that is life altering.

On to lunch—
15 of our 20 member church walked with Don V. the slightly over one half mile distance to Russ and Phyllis' for lunch. Don loved the mashed potatoes and salad and Russ' cookies, and at least had enough calories to start out again on the road. Several of us again walked back to say so long and Don told us we had made a little record for him. In two years he never had such a high percent of the congregation walk along with him across America. He brought us some new friends as well, a nice little family from Kalona, Iowa, who's newspaper was not afraid to write up what Don Vermilyea is doing and why he should be important to us all.

Don thanked us all so kindly, he just wants us to pray for him and he is not afraid to hug. When you see a homeless person offer him your kindness and something you have with you, you may be looking into the face of GOD. And if you see Don, walk with him, it keeps him safe for awhile.