Recently I came across this link.
It’s a story about a 26-year-old guy named Nick Kleckner who, having discovered that material goods didn’t nourish his soul, decided to walk 2600 miles across America, starting in Jacksonville, Florida, with little more than an ipod and a cell phone, fasting until given food to eat, receiving and giving, communing with the homeless. Finally, he ended up in Southern California’s Huntington Beach.
From the story, in The Orange County Register, by Laylan Connelly.
He had rules when he set out. He’d only accept help from complete strangers, and he never took help from the thousands of followers who would eventually end up tracking his journey on Twitter. The only solicit he had was a cardboard sign that read “food,” which he would use if he was really hungry. But he never verbally asked anybody for anything.
In Mississippi – the poorest state in America – he was overwhelmed with kindness.
“I had so much food, I couldn’t carry it. I had so much money, I was worried carrying that much money around. They’re just nice people,” he said.
“It just hit me that I needed to give back.”
So he’d give away what he didn’t use or need to other people on the streets. He started handing out granola bars tied with rubber bands to a $5 McDonald’s gift card and a $5 bill.
Soon, he started hearing from people wanting to send him stuff. He’d tell them to give to (the) homeless in their area instead.
Then other messages started coming in. People would send stories and photos to his Twitter account about how they’ve helped a homeless person, a sort of version of paying it forward.
One note, sent by Ricky Kennewell, is typical: Following the story from Australia, mate. If closer, I’d have helped you out. I’ll give generously to local homeless instead.
Read the entire piece.
It reminded me of Matthew 10:9, in which Christ tells his followers they should go forth and proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven was upon them, that they should take no money with them, nor even a walking stick or shoes for the road.