A Peace Trail Adventure

I was not sure what to expect. When I saw it, I smiled. A strange contraption indeed. This is what I would be riding in. I could tell a lot of care had been poured into it. Hours of labor and consideration had produced this unusual transport. For the seat, an old chair on wheels had been unearthed from someplace. A long board had been fastened with this to an ancient frame. The unnatural combo was completed by four loops – one on each of the platform’s four corners – which were going to function as shoulder straps. Four men were going to carry me on their shoulders down Koinonia’s Peace Trail. Because of my disability I had yet to experience this part of the campus. Today would be the day.

Soon all of us were piled into the truck on the way to the Peace Trail. The adventure had begun. It was not long before we had arrived. I was placed in the unlikely seat and hoisted into the air. With someone leading the way, we steadily moved forward.

It was quite a ride! I could feel the power of the men as I swayed back and forth with every step taken. As much as I wanted to take note of them, the surrounding woods succeeded in snagging only a small measure of my concentration. The bulk of my mental processing during the trip was consumed with the task of staying in my seat. My hands firmly gripped the armrests of the chair from start to finish.

Periodic resting times to check out certain markers along the way afforded me the chance to take a better inventory of my private thoughts. There was a lot welling up inside. These people cared. I had long since come to this conclusion, but this trip was an unexpected touch which deeply touched my soul. Koinonia had gone out of their way to demonstrate yet again that I mattered to them, that my contribution over the summer had been valued. I will never forget the trip through the woods.

Life brings many challenges, many completely unavoidable and totally overwhelming. The Koinonia community has reminded me in their own unique fashion that there are always those willing to be a support when I have reached circumstances too much for me. The journey of human existence is not a solo act. Do not travel alone.

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Mr. Israel is a volunteer at Koinonia Farm

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