We Interrupt This Blog For...

BREAKING NEWS FROM EVA...

Today is Trail Day 13 and a difficult one for Loren. Last night as he finished his last part of the hike for the day, he noticed his foot began hurting. We've all been hearing about the blisters, but this was something different. As you will see on his blogs for days 10-12, he has spent the last few days in the Gila River. (Stay tuned for those blogs- they are still to come.) Loren doesn't know if it was the strain from all the river crossings or something else, but the foot pain during the night only got worse. At about 11:00 this morning (Tuesday morning) he called me depressed and still 15 miles from Hwy 12. This is just about as remote as one can possibly get!

His foot was seriously hurting him and was desperately yelling at him to rest. The problem with resting on the trail is, you must plan for it. Sure, he could set up his tent and live in it for a few days, but the resupply box from the last town was only packed to last him to the next resupply box, not to mention water which would not be available again until close to Hwy 12. So, the plan was to hobble 15 miles to the highway and pray for a hitch into Reserve, NM. Now, there's not much to speak of in Reserve, NM. No lodging. But at least there is a General Store and a camp ground. Found this picture of the town below. 

Right away I prayed and sent out a text to the wonderful secretaries at The House Modesto church so that they could pray. Around 3:30 Loren called me again with a much more cheery tone. Although the pain wasn't significantly better, it wasn't worse either. There was no way he'd want to continue all the way to Canada with the pain, but he felt he could make it to his next resupply box in Pie Town, NM. Pie Town is another 40 miles away! Is he crazy!! After talking me down, he noted that the trail actually follows a road all the way to Pie Town. So, if he should need help, it is likely he may see a car or two along the way. And, Pie Town will offer him a hostile to stay in and plenty of food, including... yes, pie. 

Thank you to all of you who heard about Loren's trouble and started praying. God certainly heard, and answered.  Sorry for the interruption in the regular blogging activity. Stay tuned for more blogs tomorrow.