WATCH: Man with the cross walks to Zimbabwe
You’ve probably driven past a Patrick Styles, pulling a hand made cross on the side of a busy road, at some stage.
A 59-year old Rustenburg man who walks from one city to another has landed in Pretoria en route to Zimbabwe.
You’ve probably driven past a Patrick Styles, pulling a hand made cross on the side of a busy road, at some stage.
The man with the cross, as he is known, is heading to neighbouring countries of Swaziland and Zimbabwe on foot all in the name of spreading “the word”.
Rekord caught up with him on Solomon Mahlangu road near the N4 highway before he headed towards Garsfontein, east of Pretoria where he would take a break.
Styles has been walking for six years, from one city to another raising the awareness of Christianity and spreading the word of God.
“It’s all in aim of spreading the gospel to people,” he said.
“As I walk I attract people who ask me questions or who are interested in knowing what I am doing, so that gives me the chance to tell them about God.”
A few months back, Styles walked to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Welkom and then back home to Rustenburg.
He spent three months recuperating at home before embarking on his current journey from Rustenburg to Brits then Pretoria.
“From here I am heading to the Mozambique border, into Swaziland and then Zimbabwe, Durban, Cape Town and then back home,” he said.
“Some people react very warmly towards me and you also have the negative ones whom I don’t pay too much attention to.”
At the various locations, Styles visits churches, attends conferences and speaks to total strangers.
Even when it gets tough in the scorching heat, he said he continued to push on.
“It’s been hard in the past couple of days with the heat, but I am going to make my destinations,” he said.
He takes breaks to rest when he does not feel good or at dusk and finds shelter at nearby patrol stations.
His cross on wheels is equipped with a cage where he puts his cooler box with food and water, a few clothing items, and extra tyres for his cross, a sleeping bag as well as a bible.
Asked if he was not worried about being robbed walking alone, he said: “I rely on God’s favour.
“I will not stop walking for my course. After this journey, I will start another one to visit other places and continue spreading the word,” he said.
If you come across him on the road, don’t hesitate to stop and have a chat with him or give him a hug or a word of encouragement.
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