"Let Us Pray"

I have made it all the way to Louisiana. I'm camped at a park near Lake Charles.

Side-street note: I picked this location because of the song "Lake Charles" by Lucinda Williams.

As I was setting up Stevie, I watched a fellow tent camper tug items out of his truck and carry them half a football field away to his campsite. Over and over.

I hollered to him, "Excuse me sir. If you'd like, you can borrow my wagon to carry your stuff to your campsite."

He pointed to his shoulder and said, "No thank you, ma'am. I got my wagon right here." He continued with his multiple trips, to and fro.

I don't think he understands the concept of a wagon.

Henry and I took a turn around the campgrounds, keeping our eyes peeled for gators. Didn't see any. We returned to our site.

Now, I see the tent camper has dismantled his tent and is returning all of his camping items back to his truck, to and fro.

He sees me seeing him. "The camp host asked me to leave, because I don't have a driver's license or any valid identification. Guess I'll go stay at a truck stop."

"That's a bummer. Hope your evening gets better," I responded. I went back into Stevie.

I'd had this giant camping rug taking up space in my trailer, and I'd been meaning to get rid of it, but I just hadn't had the heart to toss it into the garbage or abandoned it somewhere. Here was the perfect opportunity. Guy-getting-kicked-out-of-the-park might want it.

Exit the trailer. "Hey! Do you have any interest in a giant camping rug?"

"Absolutely! Thank you so much. I will definitely use this," he said.

I started walking back to Stevie, and I heard from behind me, "Do you wanna pray with me?"

I stopped and turned around to him. "No thank you."

"You don't believe in prayin' or stuff like that?"

"No."

"Well, will you pray with me anyway?"

Sigh.

Here's this poor guy. He's just gotten kicked out of the park. He's going to have to sleep at a truck stop tonight. He doesn't have a driver's license or any valid ID. He's filthy. His two front teeth are missing. How can I say no?

"Ok."

"Can we hold hands?"

"Ok."

"Heavenly Father. Look over us kindly and keep us who travel alone safe and out of harms way, as I know is your dearest desire. And, let us befriend our weary fellow travelers, so that they might one day know your salvation. In Jesus Christ's name, amen."