Cross to bear . . . Ryan Craig, pictured at Lake Pukaki
with Mt Cook in the background, tries out the cross on its
sound system trolley which he will carry on his third
length of New Zealand trek. Photo supplied.
Twizel beekeeper Ryan Craig is buzzing about his third
trek the length of New Zealand carrying a heavy, solid totara
wooden cross.
This time, Mr Craig (25) has additional technology, a trolley
on which the cross, heavier than his previous models, will
rest.
The two-wheel trolley with lights on the back has a sound
system to play "music of the cross" as he walks the length of
New Zealand - an estimated 2200km at the rate of about 40km a
day, depending on weather.
It also has a GPS tracking system that will transmit his
position to the internet every 10 minutes, along with
chargers for his cellphone and iPod.
Initially, solar panels were to be used to recharge a 24kg
deep cell battery, but the panels made it too top heavy.
Instead, he hoped people would let him recharge the battery
during his trek.
His first trek was in 2008, after he returned to New Zealand
from serving with Youth With a Mission.
The second was in 2009.
That, he thought at the time, was his last.
But, he said, he was sitting on his couch in "prayer time"
last year and God told him to "walk with the cross next year"
(2012).
He has raised money for the trek working for a beekeeper in
Twizel, although on the past two treks has also found support
through donations and offers of food and accommodation.
Oamaru-raised, Mr Craig returned to the town on Friday to
travel down to Bluff, planning to start his trek yesterday.
How long it will take will depend on the weather, the number
of towns he passes through and how long he stays in each
town.
Last time the trip took 89 days, but it would take longer
this time because of the extra weight of the trolley and
fewer daylight hours..
The aim of his trek is to encourage all churches in New
Zealand to come together and pray for the nation. He does not
have a set date for that, but hoped they would get together
on a regular basis for prayer, and also to deal with issues
which have kept churches divided.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
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