Saturday, September 17, 2016

Do You Have What It Takes To Live An Itinerant Lifestyle? I Do.

My itinerant lifestyle has been controversial especially among friends and family since the day I started this adventure back in the Spring of 2014; but, just recently the jabs have gotten worse especially now that I have become engaged to be married. Now, the attacks originate mainly from my fiance's family. Some in that family have let me know in no uncertain terms that they despise me and my lifestyle even going so far as accusing me of being a "con artist" and "brainwashing" Amy!

Why do I air my "dirty laundry" on my blog? It's to show my readers that I do not whitewash what happens to me on my journey. I do not redact the bad and the ugly. What you see is what you get.

So, here it is.

They condemn me for my two divorces; yet, their own family has at least 4 divorces between themselves. They have called me a "loser" because I don't own a house or have a lucrative job. Yet, most of them to my knowledge haven't graduated from college or have prestigious careers. 

In my family, I have a brother who is a Circuit Judge, a sister who is a Registered Nurse, and another sister who is a bank executive. The Schoenbeins are well educated with post graduate work or degrees. Our family has distinguished itself in many ways back home in Illinois.

Please don't misunderstand. A college degree isn't all that important nor is a good paying job. I only mention it because of these groundless accusations. So, if Amy's people need to brag...well, I have every right to do so myself. But, now, my bragging isn't about houses, vehicles or jobs. Now, it's about how God grabbed me from an apathetic life and hired me on as a proclaimer of his Kingdom.

My itinerant lifestyle includes not working full time to support myself, but, rather walking village to village with very little in the way of the comforts usually associated with the normal American lifestyle.

Now, to be sure, I have not been traveling town to town much since I entered the city limits of Denver, Colorado back in August of 2014. But, I have preached and helped in most of the churches here in Clear Creek County where I ended up in January of 2015.

And, I still live a transient lifestyle in that I do not have lucrative employment where I receive a regular paycheck. My physical needs are never met 100%.

And, I have to regularly move to different quarters from time to time. In fact, as of this writing, I must move out of my present living situation right after my wedding on October 29th. To date, we do not have our housing firmed up.

I work as an associate pastor for a local church and in that capacity I am helping to plant a new congregation in my little hamlet of Idaho Springs, Colorado.

I preach, I baptize, I counsel, I help teach adult Sunday School, I encourage the homeless and the marginalized among other things. During my walk across America I have helped those, who like me, have little in the way of means.

During my peregrinations I have helped a young man regain his sensibilities while he was contemplating suicide, I helped an elderly widow with badly needed work around the house for no remuneration, a cattle rancher with work on his farm and in his weekly business of selling beef products at a farmer's market, and a myriad of other services...all with no payment.

Not once did I take advantage of anyone. Not once did I ask for money. The contributions I do receive come from people who support my mission and believe in what I am doing.

I could quit my calling, and yes, this is a calling, and get back into my profession which I might add I was hard at work in for 30+ years way before some of my accusers were even born.

I have spent my entire adult life working. And, since 2014, I have been hard at work for the best employer in the Universe...God.

I have been invited to lecture in front of various organizations like men's groups, ladies groups and the like bringing them hope, inspiration and a sense of Christian adventure.

I have discipled and still disciple men along the way and have made many lasting friendships from Illinois all the way across the Great Plains to Colorado. I, who have no permanent home or sometimes even a place to rest my head, now have a hundred homes to come back to just as Jesus once promised Peter.

For those of you out there in society who haven't a clue...an itinerant life is not an easy one. There is little to zero permanency, physical, economic or even emotional security, or guarantees. I must depend on others for money, housing, water and transportation to name a few.

When hiking between towns I live out of a small tent with nothing to protect me from the harsh elements and wild beasts other than a few millimeters of nylon fabric and a ground pad.

Along the road I am dangerously exposed to robbers, careless drivers, strange people like the redneck who picked me up and instead of taking me to the next down like I asked he took me to his cabin in the woods threatening me.

I had the misfortune to tangle with false brethren and church leaders who were intolerant of my mission and lifestyle.

I suffered heat stroke, heat exhaustion, gnawing cold, hunger, thirst, painful injuries, blisters, pulled muscles, blood infections, ticks, bees, lack of sleep, persecution, derision, morons who threw Coke cans or bottles at me from their fast moving cars and trucks, wild and domestic animals, scary nights stealth camping in dark woods and forests knowing that I did not have anyone or anything to back me up.

You try this lifestyle...if you have the guts and stamina. Don't you judge me as a loser because I no longer own my own home, vehicle or bank account. Chances are I did much better than many of you when I was living your comfortable lifestyle kicking up your feet in the evening wasting your time watching sitcoms on television. If you think I'm bragging, so be it. Why don't you get off your ass and get out of your comfort zone and do something for the Kingdom of God. Then, and only then, do you have the right to judge me!

And, for those of you who don't know me well, let me brag about my background a bit.

I have a college degree in Government, I was an Illinois Governor's Intern, a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Who's Who in Government, and the youngest elected County Commissoner from Tazewell County Illinois. I have a legal education from a private law school in downtown Chicago and I worked as a legal assistant for the United States Justice Department where I had a full FBI background check and security clearance. I worked as a criminal investigator in Los Angeles, a catastrophe insurance adjuster and so on.

I have owned houses, vehicles and made a very good living. I once had the respect of many, and, still do.

I have purpose, calling and the providential assistance of that Divine Being who governs the Universe.

So, before you denigrate me and my lifestyle ask yourself what you have done for others and for God. Believe me, my conscience is clear on this.

Is yours?

Pics are of just a tiny fraction of the great and wonderful people I have met along the way. I have hundreds of such photos.

BR Schoenbein
Amy Pettit

September 17, 2016- Saturday

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