First "First Generation" Interview

As noted earlier, one of the purposes of our trip is to gather information about first generation believers. Good news! I met and interviewed a person yesterday. It was a great interview and just confirms to me that God is directing our path to do this research. By the way, if you are reading this blog and want to know more about what I'm talking about, please find a local church that sponsors an Alpha program. This is an interdenominational program that starts at the beginning -- especially tailored to educate adults in understanding the basics of Christianity.

The Trip before the TRIP

Before the Big Journey, we drove from Prior Lake, Mn. to Ft. Myers starting Monday morning March 23 and arriving 3 days later, pulling a U-Haul trailer with the Jeep. Here are some thoughts on that trip.

• A great send-off by Rory and Becca as we left. Bacon, Eggs, the works! They will be living in our home till May.
• Why we have a fuel shortage? Traveling the 1750 miles diagonally through the Eastern US, most cars were at 75 MPH or above. Trucks were about the same, maybe some slower through Illinois where the limit for them is 55. Somehow people aren't getting the message that fuel consumption is highly correlated to speed. Diesel is now over $4.00 in most places.
• The best part, no problems getting here and arriving in 70 degree weather!

So this week we have been doing the things one does when planning to be on a boat for most of the next 9 months. It's been about 4 days now and Marlene has the place looking like a comfortable home. Pictures of family everywhere (our greatest earthly treasure) and the aft cabin looks like something out of Boat Beautiful. Provisioning and last minute maintenance has taken more time than anticipated - but we're still on schedule to leave Monday -- or Tuesday at the latest.

On track for cast off March 31, 2008

As predicted last year, we are back on track to begin our Great Loop journey March 31, 2008.

Because of the low water levels in Lake Ochechobee in Florida, we will not be able to cross the center of Florida as many have done in order to get to the East coast. Our boat needs at least 4.5 feet of draft. Some parts of the channel are less, so we will be going down to the tip of Florida, stopping over at Naples, Marco Island, Key West and Marathon. I've heard so many things about the beauty of this area, so the expanded journey is fine with us.

We are excited about doing this adventure for several reasons. But two are prominent.

1. Till now we have spent very little time getting to know about the Eastern part of the US as well as the Great Lakes. There is so much history to learn and beautiful scenery to see.
2. Both Marlene and I are beneficiaries of parents who raised us in Godly homes. But we realize that many people came to discover a relationship with Christ later in life, and without the benefit of Godly parents like we had. These people are my heros. Like my parents, they are taking a path that is or was very difficult, even though very rewarding. So along our water journey, we want to know more of the stories behind these first generation believers -- why they made that important and life changing decision and how they are doing in their faith. How we go about gathering these interviews will be posted later.