It is no surprise that learning occurs in and out of classrooms. Tuesday was a day out of the classroom. We traveled by coach to Ebbsfleet on the Kent coast. This is the sight of Richborough Fort.
Richborough Fort was founded by the Roman Empire about the year 43. It is also the probable site of Saint Augustine’s landing in Britain in 597. The Roman settlement would have been the first spread of Christianity to the British Isles, and Saint Augustine would have brought the more formal and recognizable religion that we know today. This is where Christianity began for Britain and, through colonization, for America. It is Holy Ground.
Augustine would then have traveled by foot and horse to Canterbury, a distance of 25 miles. The exact path of his journey is not documented, though there are probable routes. We walked 12km of that route from Grove Ferry into Canterbury. It was a pilgrim’s journey.
One never knows who they will meet on a journey, though along the road to Emmaus a particularly interesting traveler was revealed. Did we meet Jesus on the pilgrim’s path to Canterbury? Certainly not in the same way that Cleopas and his companion did, but I strive to see Jesus in everyone I meet, though through my own failings I am not always successful. We did see the beautiful country side of Kent, and we certainly saw Holy ground, and the bonds of lifelong friendships were solidified on the journey.
As Christians we are called to be in community. Our community and the friendships of that community were strengthened. As we walked the trail of Saint Augustine we certainly witnessed Jesus at work.
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