Padayatra America Report, August 10, 2003

October 4, 2003

August 10, 2003 (from The Diary of a Padayatri)

Mr. Bill arrived at 3 PM, and by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one of the horses seemed to match Kana. His name is Balaji, commemorating Sri Balarama's appearance day (yesterday) and His distinctive strength.

Our friend Bill Howard is appreciative of our endeavor to do Padayatra, and he has helped to the point that he drove 14 hours without charging us anything to exchange a horse that was already paid for and brought one of his prized horses that he would have never sold. The horse has been pulling high competition for two years with a record of 8,000 kilos.

"This here is a ten-thousand-dollar horse," said Mr. Bill, "but you all were in trouble, and I didn't know who else to bring. You take care of him now." It was certainly a marathon to find a proper match for Super Kana das. We had spent weeks with different friends, and Mr. Bill had exhausted every option and every Amish farm in Pennsylvania (and some in Ohio).

Finally we thanked him for his extraordinary spirit of help and assured him that Krsna will bless him. He accepted this humbly. "The Lord has already blessed me so much," he said. One more person who has sincerely accepted engagement in the service of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar. Candrabhaga Dasi distributed prasadam for their ride back.

I had to stay awake, so I slept in the pasture to make sure the introduction was smooth, one eye open, one eye closed. After another marathon day I thanked the Lord for His arrangements, and I felt enthusiastic to continue the journey.

"Oh my Lord, best of the givers of benedictions, if You at all want to bestow a benediction upon me, than I pray to You that within the core of my heart there be no material desires."

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