Another Zero Day on trail. This time Blue and I are in Damascus known as Trail Town USA. It is a small town of 800 residents or so, but has the biggest heart of any place I’ve visited. The people here love hikers and it shows everywhere you go.

The one thing I am noticing as I trek through the east is these people love church. For such a small place, it is littered with churches. Almost at every street corner you’ll find a place to worship the Lord. Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, just about any denomination, you’ll find your people! There is something special about a community that puts others first! They serve hikers who are grungy, typically low on cash, and smell pretty funky with such kindness. Blue and I stopped at virtually every shop in town and supported the economy.

Yesterday as we walked through town, Blue told our new friend Matt we would see him again. Will we really see him again? Well, when you are staying in a two-horse town, yep, you probably will run into each other again. As Blue and I were taking in the sights, Matt was with his friend Johanna at The Mill. I recognized him right away and we started chatting again. After a bit of time, Blue and I left and headed to Food City, the local grocery store. We bought some provisions for our upcoming week and walked to the park for a picnic. We soaked our feet in the icy cold river and headed back to our humble abode.

Before we made it back, we decided to stop at the Damascus Distillery. Of course we did! They distill Vodka, Gin, Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. Blue and I had a tough time deciding what alcohol we enjoyed most but I settled on Bourbon and Blue on Whiskey. Now we had to choose what drink we wanted??? Neither one of us are bonafide hardcore drinkers but I settled on Trail Magic and Blue on Whiskey Sour that had egg whites, blueberries and sour mix. It was all I could do to power down my drink. Ends up we both diluted it with more sour mix which made our alcoholic beverages more palatable We spent the afternoon sipping and laughing, and talking to the regulars. It was a great time.

We stopped and visited a few local vendors and made our way back to Dancing Bear. At this point, the Bear was dancing! I sat on the front porch and guess who rides past on his bicycle, Matt. I wave and he turns around.

Matt and I sat and talked for quite sometime. It was as if God intended us to share our beliefs with one another. Our conversation surrounded what the Lord had planned for our lives. Why we were doing what we were doing and where the Lord was leading us. It was quite thought provoking and I truly felt our conversation was led by the Holy Spirit. There are times when I have no idea what to say but I just start sharing my heart. And at times, I wonder, where did that come from? Now I understand fully what the Lord had planned for me on the road to Damascus. It wasn’t about me at all, but it was an Devine appointment that the Lord had with Matt. I just so happened to be the messenger. And once again, I am the last one who knew. Trusting in God to open doors, is what this journey is all about.

Thank you for showing me what you needed me for. At times, I may be clueless to your intentions Lord, but I am a vessel that you can mold into whatever you need at the moment. Damascus will be etched into my being and this is a place where Jesus will meet you right where you are! What a special place it is indeed.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:24-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬