Good Morning Family & Friends 

My time here in Georgia( the country) has gone so fast. I am missing all of you. Before you know it, I will be home giving all of you a big hug and telling you all the crazy stories. Here is a crazy story for you while you wait for my arrival…

 In my 32 years of living, I have never hitched-hike before or never picked up a hitch-hiker. On July 13, my team and I head to Latali,Georgia which is  about a three and a half mile walk to Mestia, Georgia,( a small Mountain town). On July 14, one of my teammates, Lynneal, said, “It would be fun to hitch-hike down to the city today”. I said, “Yes,  it would be fun” but in the back of my mind was thinking what if something crazy happens.  That afternoon my team and I began walking to the city of Mestia, from our hostel. On our way, a car stopped and asked us if we needed a ride and we said  “yes”!! All 6 of us packed in a 4-door hatchback car.  It was very tight because there were already 3 people in the car.  Going down the winding roads in the back of a stranger's vehicle was a very unique experience for me. Praise the Lord, we made it safely to Mestia! 

For the next week, my team and I hitch-hiked to Mestia and back to our hostel in Latali.  We would begin each time by walking down the road. Then we would get tired of walking and we would stick out our thumb as a symbol of asking for a ride. Sometimes we would get a ride right away and other times we would have to wait. Each driver was different: unique,crazy, kind, fun, helpful and full throttle around the mountain curves were just a few.  This experience of trusting complete strangers with my life will be something that I will never forget. The question that you might be asking is: “Would I try this back in the states? In Georgia, we as a team used wisdom and discernment in seeking a ride knowing that it’s a pretty safe country. In the future I am not sure, but I will do anything that the Lord is calling me to do and if that is to get a ride from a complete stranger then so be it. 

I will deeply miss Georgia! The people are so friendly and welcome.  Hospitality is so beautiful to see here in Georgia! Stay encouraged family and friends. Love you and miss you 

your sister in Christ, 

Antoinette Johnson