... out in the woods of Harris County, which is just north of here. But not actually. I have been devoting my weekend to a semi-annual event called the Walk to Emmaus. Sponsored by a loose-knit brother/sister hood of local people in the community, associated with the National Emmaus group. There are two 'walks' each spring and fall: one for men, followed by one for women the next weekend. Since a dear friend sponsored me years ago, it is something that I participate in when possible. Volunteering my time for three days in order to make the event a life-changing experience for the next group of travelers.
There is considerable preparation required to make these occasions appear to be effortless, with most of the activities going on in ways and places the actual participants are not at all aware of. Purchasing enough food to feed dozens of worker/servants as well as all the people who being introduced to the Emmaus life. Assembling the teams of people who will guide these people on their weekend plus all the invisible volunteers who make it appear seamless, but do all the cooking cleaning, and other tasks associated with success.
My little niche is in the area of worship, where I will devote my time each day to setting the scene in a small chapel on the retreat property. The participants are lead through a series of talks by volunteers who share from personal experiences in their lives, telling the 'pilgrims' of things that have impacted them in positive ways. I belive we seldom see how the pieces of our lives fit together, until long after life-changing, watershed events. Then we look back and see how something that appeared insignificant at the time was really a piece of the puzzle dropping into place.
So I am up early every morning to get back out to the retreat center, tucked away on a wooded hillside about forty miles away. And coming home in the dark, ready to tuck myself into bed, to be up and on the road again early the next morning. Adding my efforts to the work of making this event a smoothly run operation. Hoping to be invisible, but have a lasting impact on the lives of the men who took time out to devote their weekends to this experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment