Ben Norcia’s Blog (Chronicles of Norcia) Chapter 2 Ep 1: “There”

“If I take this step, I’ll be the farthest from home I’ve ever been” – Samwise Gamgee

October 18th, 2023: Travel Day

4:00 am: The lights in the training center flicker on and groaning ensues around the room. Whether it was the various snorers dispersed around the room, constant swishing of sleeping bags as people rolled around, concrete floor I laid on, or the excitement of leaving the country, I did not sleep a wink. I was going to say “last night” but seeing as it’s 4 am, it seems “tonight” or “right now” or “I’m so tired I might fall asleep where I’m standing and melt on the spot” would be more fitting.

4:01 am: The zombies still rolling around the floor are shocked to their feet as from the high tech speakers comes the roaring of “AAAAAAAAHHHSAVENYAAAAAAA” (idk the title but it’s that Lion King song)

4:02 am: As I roll up my sleeping bag I double check the storyteller group chat. To my horror, the nightmare of the night before (the night during, I’m so tired right now I might just go fall asleep in one of the vans and hope someone will pack my stuff up and throw it in with me) was not a nightmare, but a cold, harsh reality. The prestigious Featured Blog of the Week has eluded me again. What a world. The repeating of history pierces through the very being of its greatest creative minds, time and time again. In this instance, I relate to a similar artistic genius when a painting of his called “Sunrise” didn’t win any esteemed awards its creator would probably have loved to have received. (I’m not upset about the Bloggy’s Im not upset about the Bloggy’s I’m not upset about the Bloggy’s) But perhaps I’m more like a certain American poet who once pondered upon a midnight dreary while weak and weary, in the way that my genius and undeniable gifting will not be recognized as such until after my passing. Only time will tell. As usual, there is infinitely more sorrow that could be shared regarding this topic, but my editor is visibly unamused. The time to depart is nearly upon us, and I suppose my time would be better served rolling up my sleeping bag than weeping about the Bloggy awarding committee’s lack of care, passion, (guys i’m not this upset about the award I swear) integrity, honesty…

5:10 am: Despite almost not making it into a van as they were pulling out I am now successfully sitting back right in a van consisting of Team Abide + a few stragglers. The show is now (finally) “on the road”.

5:38 am: The Bloggy’s have been posted. Another week, another crippling defeat. I have been torn down and rejected by the insurmountable obstacle of Featured Blog of the Week. How much longer must I toil and wallow about before I am not dismally bested at my Waterloo? (jokes aside – shoutout Elise, she deserved the win.)

5:55 am: THIS VAN IS MOBBIN!! We are in the left lane just flying past traffic what in the world.

6:56 am: We arrived here probably 30 or 45 minutes ago and I just got my bag checked in. Seeing as I was one of the first people to get my bag checked I can only imagine how much longer before we make it to security. On a real note, the energy of the squad is incredible and everyone is so hype right now. We have to go!

7:30 am: We made it through check in. I’m not sitting next to anyone. Desperately trying to trade seats. I’m in the middle between two randoms. This is the most inconvenient minor inconvenience that’s ever inconvenienced me.

7:54 am: Split off from the group. With Doug, Kara, and Emmery. Not sure how we got here but I’m on a “planetrain”. Oh look Elise is here too!

7:57 am: What’s really stopping me from showing up at an airport in a pilot outfit and just walking around looking important and stuff?

9:21 am: Doug and I ate some TGI Fridays for breakfast and it was crazy overpriced. I got some coffee flavored water that was extremely disappointing and a plate with eggs, bacon, and toast. The two of us have now been watching planes take off and land for the last half hour. Peak male entertainment. Planes driving around like cars is the funniest thing. How in the world do those tiny little wheels actually work effectively? Doug is full of plane fun facts. To be honest I forget when we’re supposed to be back at our terminal (and where it is) but I’m sure Doug’s got it…

9:56 am: We’re back with the squad at the place with our stuff and I’m trying to download books on my kindle but it is tweakin. I’m enjoying my last chance to use data while I can. Nobody will make a fantasy football trade with me. I’m not sure why we have to be back here because the plane is not even boarding yet. I still don’t know if I’m next to anyone I know on the plane and I’m in a middle seat so this is tragic. If some random dude falls asleep on me and starts drooling I’m spending the whole plane ride in the bathroom I’m not kidding. I lost my phone charger at some point in the process of leaving. My phone battery is at 30%. Maybe I’ll have some cool stranger next to me and I can tell them about Jesus. Is it legal to take an unoccupied seat on a plane? Like if there’s a seat no one’s in can I just go there? Do you think a stranger will accept two breath mints in exchange for their first class seat?

10:07 am: I took the step, and I will now be the farthest from home I’ve ever been…

10:11 The plane is filling up and everyone else seems to be with at least one other person from our squad, if not they have all three. What a world. There’s a funny little screen on the back of the seat in front of me. This Delta plane is pretty bougie.

10:14 am: Never mind, Luke is next to me. Life is good.

10:18 am: I can’t believe I didn’t take earplugs. They have Lord of the Rings on these TVs. The random dude we kept kicking the hackysack near is next to me. Lord of the Rings is playing with no audio. The male flight attendant has pink gloves. Luke is raging at a chess game on his TV vs the computer. He opened with b4, (what is he on). After Kxe5 he just blundered into the fried liver. The computer literally just fried livered my boy. He’s raging. I think he’s ready to throw hands. If the blog ends here, assume that I caught the blunt of the frustrations aimed at the brilliant chess computer. I was wondering why the announcements were in Spanish and then I remembered, we’re going to Guatemala let’s freakin go! Luke just hung his rook. And now his e-pawn. He’s down some pretty hefty material. Ew Qxh1+ by the computer and Luke is forced to lose another bishop. He is getting WORKED. The towel was finally thrown in 🙁 . My resilient seat-mate is determined, however, and he’s loaded up another game! I must commend his warrior spirit.

10:41 am: Some musical chairs (hopefully no one is gonna come in last minute and kick me out) has landed Luke and I in excellent seats in the back along with a bunch of other fan favorites like Sam, John Teter, Peyton, Lianne, storyteller Katie Jean, and someone else! Cool kids back of the bus for real. The TVs are now showing informational videos about what to do if we crash. The info is great and all, but I’m gonna keep typing away and go with “I hope we don’t do that”. Wait who knew they were offering fast, free wifi?

10:47 am: Takeoff baby.

10:55 am: Sam and I listened to “Evergreen” by Ricky Mitch and the Coal Miners as we pulled away. Vibes were otherworldly. Goodbye USA. It’s time to leave the nest, time to move out, time to hit the road. The future awaits me at the end of this plane ride. The future is now. The harvest is ready.

And now through the clear blue sky I wander. From this perspective there are no roads laid down, no paths carved out, and no signs leading the way. With the past behind me, the wind beneath me, and new adventures before me, there is not but only the faith I will be taken where I’m needed, the hope He will be with me wherever I go, and the Love I’ve come to share with those along the journey.

Therefore we arrive at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Dub Squad, The Young Man and the Gap Year, The Adventures of Missionary Ben, The Chronicles of Norcia, the story of a man on mission. For in the place of the boy who left his home behind, it is a man who will take over the story from here. I am not ashamed of the Good News of what Jesus has done in my life, and I am not ashamed of the Good News of what Jesus will continue to do. I must say with a smile that I believe I’ve finally arrived at an acceptable answer to the question He asked me three years ago: “What are you doing?”.

I’m going.