Colin was today. Apparently we walked through the end of Tropical Storm Colin. When we arrived this fact was mentioned, someone thought we were speaking about Colin Ranson. Today was really wet, there was no respite. We began in the rain and we ended in the rain, in fact water is still falling from the skies.

It was great to be greeted by a good group of people from the Parish of Restigouche. I am very grateful for their coming out. In total 11 of us walked the whole distance from Eel River Bar to Dalhousie. In one sense not a great deal happened today as we dug in deeply to walk in the downpour. Yet the truth is we had a really good time. There was a chance to talk to each other and to learn many things about the region. Sandra Craft, the Lay Vice Chair of Synod, joined us and was given a guided tour of the area by Gale MacKinnon.

As we sit in the Rectory with some of the members of the walking group there is an animated conversation about how we can get dry for tomorrow, many of us have very damp gear. 

This evening we prayed together in the Church of St. Mary. There were 25 of us altogether and it was a very uplifting experience.

As I reflect on the pilgrimage so far the most encouraging aspect has been the quality of worship we have shared along the way. There has been a very real sense of the Holy Spirit being present among us in the various venues where we have come together.

I truly believe that god is speaking to us as we travel and speaking into the communities we are visiting. It is difficult to discern what is being said and I imagine it will take some time after the journey is finished to really hear what is being said.

My initial thought is that he is saying “Fear not”. The ways in which he has broken into our worship on the road suggests that he wants to deepen our relationship with him in order that we can trust him and step out in faith for him. I cannot be sure of this, but I am finding myself looking forward to worshipping together as we go along.

Tomorrow rain is threatened again, but not such a deluge. It is our longest walking day from Dalhousie to Campbellton as distance of about 25 kms. 

David