New co-coordinator: Rob van Sprang
Because pioneer Damiaan Messing is leaving the Walk of Wisdom after nine years, we are setting up the foundation differently. Co-developer Manja Bente will stay on and, together with a new co-coordinator – Rob van Sprang – will ensure cohesion and guidance in the development of the pilgrimage route. Rob has been initiating social neighbourhood projects in Arnhem for years, studied business administration, was a tennis teacher and has a teaching qualification in philosophy of life. He introduces himself:
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ….
Under the motto ‘a stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet’ , I, Rob van Sprang, would like to introduce myself. I was born half a century ago, in Tilburg, where I grew up with my younger brother Paul. We lived in the middle of the city where my father developed into an entrepreneur as a carpenter: everything is possible at Piet van Sprang, that was his slogan and it turned out in practice.
From Tilburg I left for Arnhem. After the MEAO, I started a follow-up course there, the HEAO. Not that I had a clear idea of what I wanted, but as soon as you passed the propaedeutic year, you could switch. In the end, I didn’t do this, but in my spare time (the HEAO was easy for me) I searched for answers to questions that were on my mind. I talked to Freud, Jung and …. . Well, I still ask questions, because “yes” that’s how my mind works. Once I’ve found an answer and try to live by it, I ask myself at least four new questions.
Fortunately, this works differently for me in love! Not that I don’t question myself when it comes to love, but Margôt and I have been together for almost 16 years now. July 29 is the day. And yes, in the meantime I have also managed to curb my curiosity a bit: otherwise I would have buried myself under the books. Walking in nature has certainly had a big influence on that. Not that I have ever walked 4,000 kilometers like Thomas, the author of the book ‘Walking to Wisdom’ , but I do know what it feels like when your feet slow down your mind while walking. You wake up and see what really matters and what doesn’t: what’s secondary. At least, that’s how it works in me!
I haven’t walked the Walk of Wisdom yet, but that will change before my 1st day at work. I have cleared my agenda ‘in good consultation’ and decided to run the WoW alone and consecutively from 23 to 30 May. And yes, that made me really happy! Manja walks the 1st kilometers from the Stevenskerk with me. Together we will talk about the position of the stars at my birth, the first breath [Manja’s hobby is astrologie]of life. I hope to let this stardust settle along the way until I get back on Saturday 30 May. As my future self, I walk the last kilometers with Damien. Around 4 p.m. at the church, that’s my goal. Here, together with both of them, I hope to toast to the wisdom that I have walked towards. In any case, after the WoW, I am prepared to follow in their footsteps as a co-coordinator and ready to meet you a little less as a stranger – a bit like a friend, fellow pilgrim.
Regards, Rob
PS: If someone wants to surprise me with a “spontaneous” encounter along the way, Manja and Damiaan will know where to find me without a phone. For me they booked the following accommodations: 23 May Sous Eglises hotel in Beek 24 – May Hiker’s hut stop de Diepen in Milsbeek – 25 May Baker’s house Ronald and Machteld Hatertse Vennen – 26 May 18th century monastery in Velp – 27 May 18th century monastery in Velp (rest day) – 28 May Pipowagen minicamping Zus en Zus Hernen – 29 May: Host family Marijke van der Donk in Beuningen.
