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| | Enviado Martes, 16 de Noviembre de 2004 - 11:03 am: |  |
Padayatra América
April 3
Temp at night 35-40 we are crossing a large logging area outside Perry, Florida.
“Rick” seemingly tough gentleman came this morning as we were camped roadside (timber area). He inquired many things in a rough mood...gradually he start to relate with our mission, and now after 3 days without more provisions than beans, rice, and 5 potatoes that some gentleman donate at the one store in the last 30 miles; Mr. Rick opens his truckload full of fruits and vegetables (his business) and very enthusiastically shares with us. At night he again finds us where we are camped next to the river, he has many questions for us. We talked until dark- and he relates his unusual karma that has brought him to a sincere realization about the temporary nature of this world. He was ready to receive Bhagavad-gita (he says “it´s just the language that throws me”) and wants to know about where the temples are....
Meanwhile some friends of the Tallahassee devotees, Martha & Clifton found us. They came very happy to see devotees and brought so much bhoga for the Deities. The next morning they came for the kirtana and we have a nice morning program with them on the roads of Florida in the Apalachicola National Forest.
April 4
Martha greeted us on the road and said “i will not see you again....thank you for coming” and brought us an aloe plant. We cross the Apalachicola Forest.
April 5,6,7
Still cold at night 35-40
We enter Jefferson County and the sheriff came; we explain the program and he sincerely appreciates. The next day after 9 miles we reach the village of Hosford, and there sherriff Tailor had arranged a program for us to stop at the school to speak to the kids -maybe 200- about what we are doing. The loud speaker announces- “Hare Krishnas doing religious pilgrimage , meet at front at 2:30” When the kids were lined up, we have a nice talk and answer their questions. It was nice to see all the townsfolk (teachers, students, police) see the Lord and hear our message.
At 3 pm we continue towards Bristol 12 miles. Around 6 pm we come into town, where the local sherriff meets us- he had seen us on our roadside camp last night and had promised to help. Because we were in need of grain for the horses, and the store would be closed by the time we made it to town, the sherriff had agreed to pick it up for us and have it waiting. Well, not only that but the sheriff greeted us with several of his officials and had made a nice arrangement for us to stay in town in a fenced lot; and donated 300 pounds of oats and several bales of hay. Sargent Johnson regularly checked on us throughout the night and next morning. Meanwhile we are eagerly distributing so much information /books and the BTG magazines are flying!
The sargent and his officers have been checking on us all morning. He keeps saying “we gotta get you across that bridge” and we assure him that yes, we are always very careful as humanly possible and then depend on Krsna for the rest. He insists so of course we accept their help. Too many duties and we weren´t ready at 9:30, and 3 police cars were waiting, waiting. They left, and finally at 11:30 we leave the spot heading west on route 20. With one devotee staying behind the wagon to caution the logging trucks, we see before us a great hill spanning the horizon. Well, it was bigger than we expected and certainly the biggest bridge padayatra has been- 1.5 miles long, barely 15 feet wide coming up and over the great Apalachicola River a good 300 feet. Just as we approached the beginning the sherriff´s men appeared behind us blocking the whole road - it was glorious. They stopped the traffic for the sake of the Lord, and the h!oly name resounded. After 30 mintues we were on the other side with an enormous line of cars to pass us. The police were very enthusiastic to assist and the people in the cars were astonsished. At 2:30 we find ourselves in Blountstown; one gentleman remarks “i saw you on the television news few days ago- it´s wonderful what you are doing” We stay in the afternoon in a busy parking lot and literally hundreds are coming and going with mercy.
Candrabhaga writes:
“i found many inquisitive people in the laundromat. As they wait for their clothes they come to inquire....one teenager with broad religious scope; single mothers; Spanish people, Hindu people....and Christina who says she is “frustrated with materialistic religion” and sincerely looking for her path. In the grocery store one woman “Diane” comes and touches my arm commenting “you are dressed so beautiful, where do you come from?” with a pure heart she gives me her last dollars.i have one book i can give her in my pocket- she appreciates. Many of the cashiers have questions and i give everyone cards with our website. It is moments like this when i realize that all the austerities i am undertaking are worth it.”
A small group of devotees meet us at 4 pm bringing a feast for Nitai-Gaurasundara and many other offerings. In the middle of a rainstorm on padayatra in a busy Blountstown parking lot we enjoy the company of Krsna´s devotees and a festival where everyone participated in distributing books and prasadam to curious on-lookers. Meanwhile Bir Krsna Goswami is asserting to the North American GBC that this program is too dangerous and they don´t want to have padayatra in USA; but the Lord has His plan and before we get to Mexico there is 1,300 miles of North American roads ahead. Let Their Lordships step wherever They want.
Oh, my Lord just let me be an instrument under Your will. This padayatra is Your program , do with it as You desire. Please bless us with the proper consciousness to live Your will.
With the blessings of senior Vaisnavas padayatra is moving on...
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