Rural Chapel Respite on Road to Salvation

For hundreds of worshipers, the road to God includes a stop along Interstate 82, where a tiny chapel offers solace to an itinerant congregation of truckers, travelers and troubled souls.

At the Foot of the Cross Chapel, all of eight seats, never closes. “We’re open . . . when nobody’s open,” chaplain Larry Taylor said. “A lot of churches are locked up nowadays.”

The chapel is tucked between the Prosser Safety Rest Area and the Horse Heaven Hills truck stop. A more secular boost is available from the nearby espresso stand.

This nondenominational ministry is largely do-it-yourself. Along with free Bibles in Spanish and English, At the Foot of the Cross offers tapes and magazines--and an opportunity for solitary reflection.

Many visitors record thoughts or prayers in a guest book on the altar beneath the simple wood cross. The writing comes in all hands: cursives, print and scrawls. They are inspirational, poignant and occasionally funny.

And they come from all over the United States and Canada, to Central Washington’s orchard country.

“Pray 4 my great-grandma,” a Yakima girl wrote. “She has osteoporosis and pneumonia. She lost 20 pounds and is 80 years old. Needs healing and salvation. Thank you!”

A Colorado man gave thanks for the chance to pray and for the good things in his life, including his wife and son, but says he’s weary. “Help me Lord to find a way to stay at home. I’m so tired of this life on the road,” he wrote.

A Texas couple requested prayers for their youngest daughter, diagnosed with bipolar disorder. They fear she may lose everything, including her 18-month-old son.

A father and his young son prayed for a house so they could live together. A woman asked that she and her beloved may one day marry.

Several youngsters repeated the familiar “Christians Rule!” or “Jesus Rocks!”

A Prosser girl counted her blessings in January--and hoped for one more:

“Praise the Lord for everything. For my friends and especially my family. Also be with us today in our basketball game against Sunnyside.”

A love-struck Tacoma girl shared her good fortune, describing her boyfriend as the “sweetest, nicest, most wonderful, cute boyfriend in the world.” Her boyfriend’s thoughts were elsewhere. His was the next entry: “I love Jesus.”

The Rev. Knut H. Schaad of Mountain Home, Idaho, a regular at the chapel, added a bit of international perspective on May 17:

“Thank God for this [chapel]. Today was Norway’s Independence Day. Keep praying. . . .”

“Good to get out of the weather in God’s House,” wrote Charlie, who gave his address as homeless. “Thank you very much.”