To all Jean's friends and faithful supporters
I apologize for taking so long to get back to you after the Christmas Holidays.
Yes! The Christmas Holidays ... so wonderful and so short...
But now, back to work... Jean to his walking and me, to my keeping you informed.
First, let me briefly update Jean's progress since November 30th, 2000. He arrived in Mobile, AL on December 1st and he stayed there for 4 or 5 days because he had caught a cold and he was feeling feverish. He then walked through Southern Mississippi, (Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport) and arrived in New Orleans, LA. on December 11th where he shared the room of a friend (participant at a conference) at the Marriott Hotel till the 16th. He then leaves to advance on his schedule, all the way to Morgan City, LA. On his way, he meets a wonderful couple, Ida and Cosby who went to get him in Morgan City, on December 20th, brought him to the airport in New Orleans to meet me and drove us to our room at the Dominican Conference Center on Broadway street.
We both spent a marvelous holiday in New Orleans where we met warm and loving friends and I could see with my own eyes the way Jean is getting through to people.
On January 4th, 2001, Jean was driven to Morgan City to resume his walk. From there he entered Cajun country. Being of Acadian origin, Jean was really looking forward to meet these people and he had so much fun with them... going to schools to explain his trip to children, being photographed in front of Evangeline's tree...
On January 16th, he left Lafayette, LA for what he calls a small marathon (because he will walk every day and not stay at one place for more than one night) to cross the Mexican border at Brownsville, TX where he estimates to be on February 14th. Imagine... on St-Valentine's Day...
While we were in New Orleans, we took stock of the situation... Jean is going to write a book on what he is doing; this is why he is keeping his diary. For this book, he needs to keep you, the readers, interested and this is one of the reasons we decided I wouldn't write the weekly updates like I have been doing, up to December 1st, 2000. Another reason to stop the updates is that by the time he enters Mexico, he may not be able to keep me up to date as easily as before. I may not hear from him for weeks... But... fear not... I will keep his Website up to date by other means (photos, newspapers, maps, text etc...)
Another point we discussed was the warnings for his security that quite a few reliable people gave us with regards to his crossing Latin America and, in a couple of years, Africa, and other less developed countries. To provide for his security, the best way is for him, his quest and his cause to be renowned. There are a lot of ways for that: sponsors, news (TV, radio, papers), associations, comities etc... The thing is I cannot do it because I don't have the time to do it... Just keeping his Website up to date takes all my free time. (I have a full time job besides Jean...) So I am asking you, all his friends and supporters, for help! There are closed to 150 of you on my list right now. Imagine the ideas in 150 heads instead of only one...
Besides, in New Orleans, Jean was telling me that I was the only one who had full control of everything... and it is too much... His words were: " We have a list of over 100 people. This list is growing almost everyday and pretty soon it will be a real International Network. Right now all these people know only you and me. Let them know each other... let them make friend... let them project things together (for me and my walk or for themselves... if they want). Wouldn't it be wonderful to see all these people from all over the world, united for this great cause: "the culture of Peace and non-violence for the benefit of the children of the world". I am positive it would change the world... I am only the messenger... the people are the doers."
On a more trivial subject, Jean suggested that people could even exchange home for vacations in another country... which is a very good idea when you think of it!
Now, let's start this International Network. Back on October 14th, 2000, I created a list for Jean.
List Information
Peace around the world (JB Peacewalk)
By posting to this list, all of you (you are all on the list) will receive the message. And as soon as I have a new email, I will put it on the list to keep the network growing... Of course, you may all send me or Jean individual, personal messages... but remember that in doing so, you might deprive all the others of valuable information.
Of course, I still keep a bank of material on Jean: photos, newspaper's link etc... If any of you need any information or material to make a file for a potential sponsor or comity or association, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll provide whatever I have on hand. I am even willing to relinquish doing the Website if somebody wants to do it.
I hope I am not disappointing any or all of you with this communication. It the only way Jean and I thought of involving every one on earth in this quest for Peace. If you have any other idea... please do not hesitate to tell the others.
Luce
P.S. Jean thought of a name for this whole affair: WWWalk (for world wide walk). It could apply to the network, a foundation, a comity etc...