In my billion star hotel, late checkout is allowed.
God’s enduring love and constant mercies are not only new every morning, but new every moment!
Walked into this Subway completely weak and vulnerable. I ordered the biggest sub and asked him to load it up with everything the sub can hold. I told him about Freedom Seat when he asked me what I’ve been up to.
“Go ahead and get started with your sub, mate.” Saying that, he handed me my sub and a cup for a drink and went to attend to the next customer in line. About five minutes later he walked over and said the sub was on the house, and it was the least he could do to support my journey.
A Fijian couple who overheard our conversation joined us. After hearing about my adventures, she rushed to her car and brought some food: fine home-cooked pasta with loads of veggies and meat.
“You must be eating all the fast food along your way. Here, have this at your next stop.”
I pedalled into Waiouru humble and broken, and left full of love, strength and encouragement. It’s random acts of kindness and love like these that keep me going. Thank you, Rakesh, Jagdeesh and Sushila! You are very kind.
That pasta from my Fijian road angel was delicious. Maybe it was all the love and kindness it had in it. While devouring it outside a supermarket in Taihape, I met Oliver, a youth development manager in Taihape. He was very kind, made a donation for the cause and invited me to give a talk sometime after the expedition. He also offered a bed for the night, but since I had some daylight left I decided to keep going.
On my way to Hunterville, I got a text from my good friend and Kiwi nana, Leigh, saying a bed had been arranged for me. Her husband Ian made a few phone calls and had my accommodation for the night sorted.
One moment I was looking for a picnic spot to freedom camp by the side of the road. Fast forward an hour, and there was Ian at the hotel, who opened his door for me. Hot shower, clean bed, good food and hot tea. Kindness and I got our much-deserved rest after a long, brutal day.
I went to bed wondering, “How did I end up here?”
Woke up to hit the road early, when Ian introduced me to his next-door neighbours, Abhishek and Gary, who run the Hunters Cafe. I was sharing about the cause and stories from the open road. They refused to take money for my breakfast and coffee, and in fact made a donation for the cause.
I was tired, hungry and weak when I got to Hunterville, and now I’m leaving this wonderful place with a heart full of gratitude.