Fred DeZouche, Lay Director Men's Walk #31
Once the Spring Walks of 2016 were completed, our community Spiritual Director, Emory Wilson, challenged the Board to conduct Fall Walks. The Board resoundingly approved them!
Both Gail Ashurst and I got started, and team building commenced. During this time of phone calls, missed messages, and e-mails, our spirits sometimes fell low. During one of our many meetings, we shared some of our concerns, and Gail said to me that God was in control, as well I knew, but what she said next struck me right in my chest: “It will be good!” These four words became our battle cry during a long summer, our team training sessions, and right up to send-off.
Men’s Walk #31 took off like a rocket on Thursday with a lively community serenade led by the Dudley/Jim team and twenty three pilgrims aboard for the ride. New found friends broke the ice, and the men seemed open but cautious.
As the team moved silently from the dining hall to the chapel for movie time, I could hear a small ruckus from the kitchen. So as the group filed out, I cracked open the kitchen door to hush the noise. Who did I first see as the door slowly opened? My wife, standing there in the middle of the prep room leading the conversation! The look on her face when she spotted me, finger to my lips in the shush fashion, was priceless. The remainder of the evening went smoothly, and the pilgrims were eventually sent to their dorms to get some rest.
On Friday, before day-break, a certain sleepy lay director awoke and, equipped with shaving kit, towels, and fresh clothes, proceeded to the speaker’s chapel to shower and shave. Well, the door would not budge, no matter how hard I pushed it, which resulted in my dropping all my stuff. (Those Kitchen pranksters really are up and starting early! I thought.) Finally, I was able to force the door open by pushing as hard as I could, and the culprit was found; the tall suit rack loaded with speakers’ suit bags and shoes had collapsed under the weight and completely blocked the door.
The rest of Friday went well with a somewhat subdued room that had great discussion times. By Friday evening the room had completely changed. The tables and their unique personalities came bursting forward as the men literally took to the stage to explain talks and perform their artistic impressions.
Saturday started slowly with more than half a dozen early risers chatting outside the chapel, way before the bell! These guys were on a different schedule, since it was the first day of Hunting Season. Also that day, we transported an ill pilgrim to Ware Mayo. His brothers at the Table of John collected his things and left a symbolic chair open for the remainder of the weekend.
Saturday evening the pilgrims were “Blown-Away” by the out pouring of love shown by the community. Many stayed in the Chapel and never made it to the ice cream social afterwards.
Sunday morning’s wake-up went well with song and the proclamation by one pilgrim of “thank-you Lord for not ringing that bell!” The day progressed fine with talks and the cross ceremony being highlights. Closing took place on time, and the pilgrims responded well with every single one taking a turn at the podium.
Many thanks to the Board and all the others who made this walk successful and so special. My body was physically spent as we prepped the room for the ladies of Walk #32. At that time, I reflected back on Gail’s wisdom and agree, IT WAS GREAT!
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
-1 Peter 4:8-11