It's hard to put into words what's happening out here on the road...

Today marks two weeks since we've departed on this wild adventure across the country building community, coalitions and compassion (if you're unsure what The Caravan is, learn more about our mission, the route, and the origins of this project, by visiting our site here: The Caravan.)

This project was such a massive leap of faith, in programming, in funding, in logistics. Every step of this was a blind and hopeful step into an unknown space, trusting that the work that went into collaborating and planning would meet our resilience, adaptability and ingenuity in the present. And so far, it's been beautifully successful, in many ways unimagined and unplanned.

We are so grateful for all of the donors that have stepped up to make this project possible. Because of you, we were able to buy the supplies and food to feed 80 unhoused people and volunteers in Grand Junction our first full day in town. We were able to print conversation guides for our bridge-building workshop, and purchase snacks and water for our Human Books. The funds you've given have already set us up to serve, and we're just getting started...

So far...we've deepened our connection to community and nature in Zion/Bryce Canyon/Moab National Parks, built coalitions and bridges with community members in Grand Junction, Colorado, and set up future collaborations with fantastic intentional communities and leaders in Durango, Taos, and now Santa Fe.

Next up, we're heading to Weatherford, Oklahoma to host a dinner for courageous conversations, bringing residents together across differences of culture, generations, ideology and lifestyle. 

If you want to see some of the posts and shares of our Caravan Crew, including wonderful accounts of our time in Grand Junction, Colorado, please visit our Facebook page here.

And now, as a treat, I wanted to share with you all a first-person account from our legendary chef, the talented and inimitable Dennis Starks. 

In the words of our esteemed chef, Dennis Starks:

"I have run away to join the circus.

Or rather, 

the CARAVAN.

This is my first trip since COVID and I’ve been leaning into it like a pot plant leans toward the light.

Mission:

To weave together our fractured nation through service.

To have conversations. 

To recognize the dignity of all people. 

To celebrate the keystone of America's great experiment: 

Diversity.

I arrived in Vegas and hit the ground running to outfit our mobile kitchen.

At the used restaurant supply I told the proprietor what we were up to and he asked me, 'So which side of the fence do you sit on?'

'I'm a bonafide bleeding heart liberal.'

He screwed up his face and said, 'It’s you damn liberals to blame for $5.00 gasoline.'

We talked as I picked out 50 gallon pots and by the time I walked out, I had a new friend and a shopping cart filled with kitchen gear and he only charged me $40 bucks. 

Auspicious.

For now, we are eight people in 2 cars, an RV, and a pickup truck, driving from Las Vegas to Nashville and back.

A neuroscientist, two engineers, a Mexican World Cup rugby player who spins fire,

 a redheaded pianist, a Kurdish cook are just a few of the members of our intrepid crew.

We arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado late at night and I headed to the grocery store.

I was looking forward to our first event. An easy soup kitchen for 100 at the local civic center.

But the commercial kitchen turned out to be just an electric stove. I panicked. I had 3 hours. 

I called all hands on deck and they raced across town with our gear.  

We fired up our camp stove and at exactly 10:59 am I was dishing up minestrone for the masses. 

We sat at the table and listened to the folks. There are 400 homeless in this city of 80,000, and they all have a story.

We cleaned up the Colorado River walk.

We did a Human Library.

We had Courageous Conversations Across Differences; A Braver Angels event at The Center for Independence. 

We attended a Pride event called "Neighbors Night" at the Mesa County Central Library. 

We had a discussion with the local pro gun faction to discuss 2nd Amendment issues and shoot some guns at the shooting range.

We received a proclamation from the mayor at the city council meeting.

All in four days.

The people of Grand Junction welcomed us. The mayor and our local contacts were a huge help and they became new friends as we shared a toast and made plans for another visit.

I like this work. It’s just the first step, but it feels auspicious.

My new buddy Brian is a bear of a man with two guns in the car and another in his holster. 

He is passionate, well-spoken and articulate. I enjoyed all of our conversations. As we walked out to the shooting range, I asked him 'If I'm gonna shoot this pistol, do I have to shave my head or can I just shave my legs?'

This is the beginning of something good."

Want to donate to The Caravan?

Donations will go toward offsetting the out-of-pocket expenses of our service projects and bridge building work, including making meals to feed people experiencing hunger and houselessness, random acts of kindness and generosity toward people in need, and facilitating and producing bridge building events for courageous conversations (such as The Human Library and Braver Angels conversations.)

Sincerely yours,