Driving down highway 11 in West Alabama Thursday you might have seen a man carrying a cross, well it wasn't a religious vision, it was Tobiah Steinmetz a former Marine who has dedicated his summer to walking from California to South Carolina.
"Out of no where he put it on my heart to walk across the country. I said lord that's crazy. I don't know if I can do it but he continued to confirm it over and over. So I flew to California one way and started the next day," says Tobiah Steinmetz.
Tobiah left with no money, no food and very little water, but throughout his journey he says God has provided.
"I thought id be sleeping out side every night, hungry every day, but this is two months in and I have never missed a meal, most nights I have stayed in hotels or people have blessed me and taken me into their home," says Steinmetz.
It’s people like Brenda Mallette who have helped him along the way.
"I passed by on my way to pick up lunch. I know he's hot. I saw the cross don't know what he's doing but the cross like I said says it all, so I knew if nothing else he needed water," says Brenda Mallette, who gave Tobiah water.
Besides relying on the generosity of others he's also relying on the experience he gained while serving this country in Iraq.
"Before going into Iraq we had desert training in Kuwait. I really just see that desert training helping me out, crossing the desert in Arizona, New Mexico harsh desert, harsh heat, beating down," says Steinmetz.
That training also taught him how to dress and even gave him the idea to put wheels on the cross.
"The lord keeps me cool I keep this over my head it really keeps the sun off me and the material lets the sweat evaporate and keeps me cool," says Steinmetz.
Tobiah must make it to Columbia South Carolina by August 13 when he must be back at collage he still has 500 miles to go. If you would like to learn more about Tobiah click on the link.
