We knew it was going to be a hot one when we starting running at 8:00 in the morning and the temperature was already in the 80’s F or around 27-28 C. We left the Winnecook Ranch and our wonderful hosts who were showing some of the later teams the horses and the historic old museum when Damon and I left in the morning. We were excited to get our run done because we were scheduled to drive to Billings afterwards and pick up a new runner from New York, our good friend Prabhakar. He last was on a U.S. Relay run in 1991 and I am sure he too was anxious to get out on the road again.

By the time we arrived in Billings it was already in the 90’s F or 30’s C. It was the hottest day we have had since we were in the southwest in early June. Prabhakar was happy to see us until we told him that he had to run four miles in this very hot and sunny weather. Actually, he was much more excited than I thought he would be and he ran his four miles strongly and cheerfully. It is always a big boost to those of us who have been out here for months to have some fresh legs and enthusiastic energy joining us.

Our day took us to our evening accommodations in Ingomar, Montana. Now that there were twelve of us, we outnumbered the townspeople here by seven. Yes, there are only five people officially living here in Ingomar, with about five people who live here part time, but they are all very welcoming and special people.

Of all the times I have come through Ingomar in the past they have always greeted us with open arms and kindness. The only thing that is different this time for me is that Bill Seward, the unofficial Patriarch of Ingomar, sadly has passed away a few years ago. He was in his 80’s and was still quite spry and active when I had last seen him here in 2001. Bill grew up here and moved away only to go into the Navy as a youth and to become a professional boxer for a while after that. He and his family had owned the Jersey Lilly Café for many years until he retired from it in the late 90’s. We even have a photo of Bill in our official color brochure, honoring such a sweet and selfless soul.

There are many things to be said about Ingomar, which from first sight may only look like an old Western movie set. But we were quite happy staying in the community gymnasium, playing basketball, listening to our new friend Pete Cocoros play his amazing trumpet for us, going to the Jersey Lilly Café and having some soft drinks and ice cream, and unexpectedly even riding bareback on an old horse named Roosevelt, or ‘Rosie’.

We are very grateful to Terry, Michelle, June, Pete, Rich, Mary Ellen, Joanne, Patty Erikson and Glen Hamilton, (two of the five permanent residents) and Cliff for making our stay in this unique town a very happy and memorable one. We also offer our inner and outer gratitude to Bill Seward for making Ingomar a special place for the weary traveler to stop and relax. We especially would like to thank Jerry Brown, the recent owner of the Jersey Lilly and the Ingomar area, for helping Ingomar to survive and thrive in its own unique way. As a former marathon runner who competed in the grueling Pike’s Peak Marathon 13 times, he really understands the nature of running long distance. He also treated us to meals and Ingomar T-shirts for which we will forever be grateful as we look forward to coming back here again and again.

As I am still finishing this story the next morning, three of our runners: Atulya, Damon and Prabhakar who already finished their morning run, are on a stagecoach ride from Ingomar to see the local Buffalo grazing in the pastures nearby.

Arpan and Team Harmony

Thoughts on America’s kindness heart and freedom spirit on the 4th of July

By the eyes of an Eastern European

I would like to share a personal experience how this run has changed something inside me and has taught me how to be a world citizen. My country, Hungary, is a small country in the heart of Europe and it had been part of the Eastern Block. At that time I was one of the lucky children, who could travel to a lot of different countries, because my father was a tour guide. But somehow whenever we went to West Europe I felt a kind of inferiority because of the different clothes that I had or other cultural or financial reasons.

Because of these memories I often had this feeling in the US too. I did not like the fact that I have accent, and I used to be too shy to talk to people. On the World Harmony Run it has changed because of all the positive responses we get. This is a real chance to see the heart of America. I am so grateful to the people, who have erased my fear. I love the freedom and the most welcoming heart of the American spirit which accommodates all the different colors and newness of the world. Here we truly feel that wherever we go we are at home, because everybody whom we meet is so kind to us.

After a while I realized that people are the same everywhere if they open their hearts. It is like a big family. I have never been a pessimist, but after so many days on the road and having met so many nice people my idea has changed about the American people and the whole humanity. By my everyday experience I have developed deep trust and strong faith in human benevolence.

It was my utmost pleasure and honor to participate on the greatest national event of America, the 4th of July. Our international team celebrated freedom and independence with the locals. We were members of the parade in Butte, Montana, marching in front of the very friendly Montana Senator. I was carrying the torch and handing it to children and adults. It was touched by hundreds of people, and made them smile, everybody was totally open-minded. I was not shy either to go to the folks and talk to them with my ‘Dracula’ accent.

Later during the day we went on stage in front of the celebrating crowd. After Arpan introduced the run and we (the runners) also introduced ourselves, I felt moved because everybody appreciated what we were doing. After the ceremony there was a man who came to thank us for what we were doing and shook hands with us. Being on the run we might not always be aware of the importance of the message that we are carrying, but the encouragement and the appreciation reminds us how lucky we are to be part of this dream, which is coming true step by step on the run.

Linda (Hungary)

A Chance Encounter with the Hutterites

My team had mid day duty. We started our run at about 12:00 and boy was it scorchin'. I took the last shift for our team but did not manage to escape the heat.

However my run was quite inspired by a very kind and enthusiastic family of Hutterites. I was unfamiliar with this community, so they filled me in briefly. Truly words were not necessary for I could feel their pure heart and deep sincerity.

Hutterites are a religious group originating in 1528 during the Reformation. Hutterites live communally in rural North America. Their roots are found in Switzerland where a group of bible students came to the conclusions that:

1. baptizing babies is not biblical.

2. the Bible requires the separation of church and state.

3. a Christian should not wield the sword (pacifist)

4. the Lord's Supper is symbolic of the suffering of Jesus, and should be done in remembrance of him

These 4 points became the basis for this movement. The followers of this movement are known as the Anabaptists or rebaptisers.

No matter what religion or faith, when you meet a group of people who sincerely practice what they believe it truly shows in their eyes and you can feel it in their hearts.

Thank you so much for your kindness and inspiration. It carried me joyfully for the rest of my miles.

Atulya

San Diego

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