Sunday, April 20th

This is our rest day, no walking. We have been taking turns going to a Baptist church and then a Presbyterian church and today was a Presbyterian church day. But, one of the volunteers at the ReStore, who attends the Presbyterian church, told us that the Presbyterians were going to have a service at a local park and then a pot-luck afterwards. So, we decided to go to the Baptist church instead of the pot-luck as we didn't have anything prepared and would just be easier. On the way to the Baptist church, we passed the First Presbyterian Church of Wickenburg and people were going in,so we asked someone if there was a service there today. There was, as we found out later, the pot-luck was scheduled for next Sunday. We introduced ourselves and told them what we were doing and a man said he wanted to talk to us after church, that we helped a couple who was walking across the US for Habitat a few years ago. After church, we met Jack Wolters and his friend Marlene. Here is Jack's story. Jack had been and is a long time Habitat volunteer, in fact, Jack was a pioneer Habitat volunteer. He personally knows Millard and Linda Fuller, founders of Habitat for Humanity and has worked along Jimmy Carter on many of his work projects.
Jack helped Jerry and Cindy Schultz prepare for their walk in 1996. Jerry and Cindy wrote, "Sole Mates" the book that inspired John Goodman to think he could walk across the United States. Jack invited us to Rancho de los Caballeros Restaurant located at the country club. Jack told about his many adventures all around the world working with Habitat. Also, Jack was one of the first persons to conceive of the idea of a ReStore.
Jack asked us if we were raising money for Habitat and we answered that no, we are trying to raise awareness for Habitat. Jack had a fit. "Your walking coast to coast for Habitat and not raising money?" Jack highly disagreed with that. He asked John how many miles we were going to walk and John replied 2700 miles. Jack took out his checkbook and wrote a check to Habitat for $ 2700.00. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is! Jack and Marlene followed us to our RV park to get some photos and then we were off to Surprise, Arizona and the Sunflower Resort RV Park. Stay tuned ...