Joe Domina came back to Louisiana, this time by car, to revisit the places who’d shown such hospitality as he made his pilgrimage across America earlier this year. 

 

In all Joe walked for nearly a year across the country, setting foot in 17 states, while praying for the nation. Many were inspired and intrigued by the young man known to many as Backpacker Joe. 

 

A former seminary student, Joe toyed with the idea of this walk for nearly five years before making it a reality. He walked east to west, beginning in New Jersey and ending in Santa Monica. It would be New Mexico before he was certain he would be able to complete his journey. 

 

Joe had been through multiple pairs of socks and shoes by the time his feet landed in Louisiana. Like a birthday gift from God, he was showered with love and affection during his time here especially on the day he turned 30 while walking through Natchitoches and discovered a huge banner reading “Happy 30th Birthday Backpacker Joe” along an elementary school fence. 

 

The walk went much slower as people sought him out more than in any other state, but he never minded. Praying with people was the journey. It was never about time or distance. 

 

While Louisiana displayed Southern hospitality, Joe noted that across the entire country people were very hospitable. But he couldn’t deny that the best food came from the state with Cajun roots!

 

Backpacker Joe is now making his way back east as he returns to his home state of Indiana but he had some specific stops he wanted to make along the way. Revisiting families who’d hosted him and meeting people who’d befriended him along the road, Joe wanted to revisit some places that had been impactful in his journey. 

 

Last week he arrived in Shreveport and spoke with Kelly Lovell’s She Overcame connect group at Riverpark Church. Joe then held a public meet and greet at StoryBrew Coffee Cafe in Natchitoches during NSU’s Homecoming weekend. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Alexandria hosted a public reception for him Saturday afternoon followed by Father Rusty welcoming him to 4 P.M. Mass. 

 

On Sunday, Backpacker Joe went with hosts Blake and Belle Chatelain to Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. He spoke to Gene Ortis’ Sunday School class before I joined the trio for the worship service. Backpacker Joe and I met my parents and friend Mary for a nice lunch after church before he headed on to Natchez. 

 

Joe plans to arrive back in Indiana in a couple of weeks with writing at the top of his agenda for now. The journey was too powerful to not record every step of it as he adds to the previous eight journals filled throughout the walk. 

 

It was great to see Backpacker Joe again and marvel at the transforming power of a nation that came from one man’s obedience to Christ.