Leighton’s Blog

See I actually have a tent and a bunch of other camping stuff stashed in my roof top bins. I may even try to sleep in the tent tonight. I’m taking a break from driving for a few days and staying put. My fuel budget is getting rather low. #missionforhope #jeep #camp 

Jeep is all packed up again. Will be making my way to San Diego for outreach with Warrior Jeeps on Saturday. I have a few days to explore some National Forest and the coast along the way. Hopefully find some trees & shade to camp. It’s hot!! Hope to stop by Garvin Industries to thank Ron personally for their sponsorship. Some have asked....Why camp in the woods during the week why not hotels? Budget!  Some have asked...Why a Jeep...why not fly? Budget & God told me last fall to do this trip in my Jeep.  Some have asked...why in a Jeep? Would you be following me if I was doing this in a 4 door sub-compact plus God told be to. Some have asked...Why not just do to this at home.  We are already doing this at home. Last fall I started Good Hope Homeless Care.  Good Hope volunteers have been preparing meals for local shelters since the fall. A big part of this trip, besides awareness and care, is research. I hope to take what I am learning now and create programs back home to red

Meet Stan. Sixty-nine year old Stan belted out his own original tune about Jesus and Eric backed him up. Got down to Skid Row around 1PM on Sunday and I set up a little prayer station off the back of my Jeep. Prayed with lots of people and had a few mini services so folks could take communion. People loved the worship music echoing down the streets from my Jeep. I stayed there for most of the afternoon. It was an absolute amazing day! Glad I followed the “prompts” to do this today rather than going to church at Saddleback. I would’ve felt guilty all the way through service. 

Saturday morning’s outreach in Riverside, CA was crazy good. Syndicate Off-Road and their team were & are awesome! We gave out food, water, Beantown Blankets,  hygiene kits, clothing and even freshly baked cupcakes. About 75 people got lots of stuff. We had just the right amount of donations. Thank you team for all your hard work and donations!  After outreach in Riverside I drove into LA by myself so I could see what is going on at  Skid Row  with my own eyes and pray for the people there. I spent several hours with the director of Refresh Spot. Refresh Spot is in the middle of the Skid Row area and their non-profit provides a place in which folks can do their laundry, take showers, use the bathroom and sign up for services.  It was such a blessing to see some light in an area where there is so much darkness. 

Yesterday when I was coming back from Death Valley I almost drove by this cross without stopping. I was “prompted” to turn around and spend some time at it.  Two young children where buried here when they passed away from the plaque in 1847. People leave toys at their grave so I left one of my toy Jeeps. I spent some time in prayer at the cross. I touched the cross and prayed for the children and their family. At the cross I also thanked God for the way He continues to bless me on this trip. I also thanked Him for an amazing opportunity He has given me when I get home in December. I thanked Him for the amazing team He has put around me “For a time such as this”. The love I felt from Him, my family and friends this week was and is crazy, crazy love.  It was a wonderful week but I was totally beat last night so I checked into my hotel a day early. I hit a bunch of national parks this week. Who wants to see photos? 

As sad as it was doing outreach in Salinas & San Jose, CA Tuesday...I was truly blessed. Met John who is originally from Virginia...not only did we have matching shorts...he was a sailor! He has sailed all over the world. Sometimes I wonder about the stories I hear on the streets but John new particulars about places I have been to and races I have been in or photographed. A great guy. We prayed together and he got a bit emotional. Met many nice and very appreciative people Tuesday who blessed me. Thank you Tom Erickson helping to sponsor these stops!  

So I left Lynnfield, MA June 9th. Been on the road 71 days, driven 13,169 miles, I’ve slept in my Jeep 51 nights, 20 nights in hotels, been through 18 states and 3 providences in Canada. But those aren’t the good numbers. We have done outreach in 10 cities and we have given out 336 Beantown Blankets , over 400 hygiene kits and lots and lots of food, water & fruit. All because of your support, encouragement & prayers. Thank you! 20 more cites & 129 days to go. Monday I leave for Los Angles and hope to do out reach in San Jose & Monterey along the way.  🙏 🚙 ⛰ #missionforhope #jeepers #jeeps #givingback #helpingthehomeless