The Long Road

I was on Facebook in June of last year and noticed a friend had ‘liked’ something called Kiva Walk. I decided to check out Kiva Walk since I thought Kiva was an organization funding loans to third world nations giving opportunities to the working people. It turns out the Kiva Walk was a young man, Jonathan Stalls, and his dog who were walking across the United States from Delaware to San Francisco asking for donations to Kiva.

His day to day expenses were covered. He would couch surf (sleep on people’s couches), and accept the hospitality of strangers in providing a meal and using those opportunities to share what the Kiva program accomplishes around the globe. All of the donations he recieved went directly to the Kiva organization.

As it happened I was out of town during the time that Jonathan and Kanoa (his dog) were in Kansas City. But Jonathan had put out a notice asking for connections along Highway 50 as he traveled through Kansas. My hometown is in Marion County so I asked some friends if they would possibley be able to help Jonathan when he walked through the area.

Wendy said yes, and hosted Jonathan and Kanoa. She had friends who were available to host the next night. Mostly this is how it worked for Jonathan and Kanoa as they traveled town to town, state to state. He walked Kansas in late June and July. Usually about twenty miles a day. I followed the travels of the Kiva Walk via Facebook and marveled that this young 20-something would devote six months of his life walking across the United States to raise awareness and funds for the Kiva organization.

In August I was so excited when I realized Jonathan and Kanoa (along with his cousin, Matt) would cross the Monarch Pass in Colorado at the same time we would be vacationing in Salida, Colorado. My husband Steve and I were able to pack a lunch and meet up with these two young men and their faithful dog for a roadside picnic in Colorado and enjoy the fellowship and friendship of adventure.

You can learn more about Jonathan’s adventure. He is on Facebook as Kiva Walk. He has raised more than $456,000. By putting one foot in front of the other, talking with people along the way, and believing that he can make a difference in this world. Quite an adventure on the Believer’s Road.

Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NRSV)

Jo Mead. Walking the Road

Jo Mead is a seminary student at St. Paul's School of Theology, and assists Asbury with our Senior Care ministry programs.

For more information about Kiva contact www.kivawalk.com.