Thoughts on My Past

Richard Hollerman

Those of you who know something about our past realize that it has been many years since I have done any meaningful travel. Much of my time now is spent stationary and not on the road. On the one hand, we know that the Coronavirus has kept us away and also financial limitations have blocked our travel. But at one time, I was able to travel and see parts of the country up close and this offered a meaningful and memorable experience. I think it was glorifying to God—and I enjoyed it immensely.

If you are like me, you may wonder what the present and future holds. The virus that began in March of 2020 can only last a certain period of time. Often I have been reminded of the fact that the virus of 1918 (I think that they call it the “Spanish Flu”) killed about 50 million people—far more than the Coved virus that now plagues us.

Presently we live in a middle-class area, in a house that we were able to get at 50% off because of a special program. Further, it was a “foreclosure” house that required a certain amount of labor—painting, foundation, repairing, etc.

I think that there are 365 houses in this development. As I have mentioned in a recent article on the website, if people around us were to be Christians and walked in the ways of the Lord, this place would totally collapse. Surely 90% of the people couldn’t afford their mortgage and all that goes with it. Some of the factors that make me say this bold claim would be:

• If women were not to work but stay home
• If these families had a large family, of perhaps 4, 6, 8, or 10 children instead of being childless
• If these man were to apply Christian principles to their own employment
• If these families were to home educate or find some “Christian” alternative rather than use the secular and worldly school system.

Surely there would be many additional factors, but we just mention this much to say that this development would utterly crumble if people were to follow the ways of God—totally and completely. But this isn’t happening and won’t. People around us and in other areas are indoctrinated by the worldly system in which they live.

As my mind goes back to the past when I did much traveling, I was able to see a great amount of the country, from the east coast, to the northern part, to the western areas, to the south. (It was there that I sustained a serious car crash—in which I survived, but it could have proved fatal.) I therefore was required to put an abrupt end to my carefully laid-out travels. But what I did do was to see and experience much of this vast nation. I took about 3,000 photos which recorded my journey. In one respect, especially as I look back from this perspective, I can see dangers encountered and even overcome. On the other hand, I must say that I was able to see many of the wonders of this vast land!

I recall living in the same rental house in Ohio in which three of us had rented rooms on the second floor. One of the renters was a single man from a South American country that was well-known for its cattle raising. This man was located in the United States to further his training for there was a local agricultural department nearby. He told us of his recent vacation in which he traveled to various national parks and saw geographical features that impressed him. He showed me and others in the house his innumerable slides (in those days, people took photographs—rather than the other means of our day). This was one of a number of factors that figured into my decision to see all of the states and record them on photos. I wanted to remember just what I saw. While I intended to visit all of the state capitals and buildings, the national parks, and I packed many boxes with literature such as tracts to pass out along the way—but this was not to be. Eventually, I did leave (with this background) and departed from Pennsylvania to other parts of my itinerary.

I used the car that I had purchased by auction. Of course, I ripped out the front seat, the back seat, put in cabinets, and a stock of food for the trunk, plus clothes for the storage. I used a sleeping bag for sleeping. Finally, it was ready to leave. But my trip didn’t last very long (as I will describe elsewhere) and finally returned to a regular life. Eventually, I traveled to various states for education, for employment, and eventually made my way south to the city where I now reside.

So when I returned to “civilization” (!), I finally found employment and stayed with one job for 28 years. It was then that I lost my work for no reason of my own but because I followed the ways of God. Also, it was during this time that I lost my house. I was able to find housing, about four times, in a very low-cost way but then was ordered to abandon the last home. Before I was required to move, for two months, I feverously looked and looked for other housing, but could find none. I placed 103 ads in five different newspapers but people didn’t seem to want to rent their houses to someone who was low-income and Christian. Finally, I had to resort to my car and I lived in this for 4 ½ years and also at the place where I resided and worked at the time. (I closed up by 11 PM but had to leave before people arrived, about 5 AM.)

This was a time of introspection, of working and working, of seeking God and His ways, of writing, of producing literature, of reading and study, and such things. I did much walking, thinking, praying, and weeping during that time. Finally, after those 4 ½ years, I was able to locate a low-cost and small house in a nice area (they called it a “historic” area) where I lived for many years—until the owner died of cancer. Thus, this was my background as I look back to where I’ve been and what I’ve done.

We realize that many of you who read these words live in very different circumstances. You may live in dire circumstances. We understand that 10 to 12 thousand people die each day through malnutrition. There are floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, droughts, torrential rain, heat and ice, monsoons, wars, and so much more. These devastated areas and people are left with nothing or virtually nothing. On the other hand, we know that there are other millions who have an abundance—with plenty to eat, plenty to consume, with large houses, well furnished, and these are also a reality.

Thus some of you will be able to identify with our situation—and others won’t. You may be in poverty and close to death. Others of you may have abundance and your material goods seem to have no limit. We know that this does seem unjust—and so it is. Others of you may be in similar circumstances as we are—not having much but having more than many others. In other words, just now, many would say that we are in a mediocre situation. As you know, in the past, when I was forced to live in my car and overnight at work, things were somewhat different. Let’s remember that we may say with Paul the apostle, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11; cf. vv. 10-20; Matthew 6:18-34). Thus, although we might want different circumstances, still we know that God knows best and He will provide as we have need.

Thus, as we began, we must recognize that God has blessed us with the travel that we needed and need even now. We have learned much and God has given much. God, the great Giver, is the One who provides and also rescues us from danger. As I can say this as I think of the miles (about 18,000 or 19,000 of them) that God enabled me to drive during that journey across the country.

Yet I realize that some don’t drive (or walk) in our day. Some are unable to physically walk because of disability. And the expense of driving for many of us is prohibitive. (The price of gasoline may be $3.00 to $8.00 in our day, the cost of car and truck repairs is high, the cost of a vehicle is very high, compared to the $600 that I needed to purchase my used car and needed to pay 17 or 18 cents a gallon in those days!) Others in the past were not able to travel more than perhaps ten miles from their birth location.

May the Lord be glorified in all things.