The children’s welcome was charged with joyful enthusiasm.

Just east of Oklahoma City is a small community called Spencer. The people there are very friendly and welcoming and have once more demonstrated to us how their actions speak loudly in the name of harmony. Edna from the Historical Society kindly invited us to the Museum Park and offered us lunch with some of the teachers of the nearby Spencer Elementary School.

The local Fire Station joined the parade.

Principal Linda Matthews came by to make sure we were well taken care of and to tell us what was going to happen as we ran to her school. We were pleasantly surprised when Fire Chief Ronald Cummings along with firefighters Mike Claussen and Brandon Jackson came to escort us down the street to the school.

Both Chief Jackson and Mike Clausen ran with us as Brandon drove the large engine. The police also made sure we were quite visible and well protected.

Principle Linda Matthews is an avid supporter of the Run.

Carrying a flaming torch protected by the fire department made us feel very safe in the hot and dry climate today. As we approached the Spencer School we heard the loud and enthusiastic cheering from the children lined up along the schoolyard fence.

They were waving homemade paper torches and handmade signs and drawings. This was a very uplifting welcoming that carried us into the playground and around the field with some of the children joining us.

They were well prepared with all kinds of posters and banners.

The spirit of harmony was quite strong here as the teachers and children alike sang the World Harmony Run song with us accompanied by a recording played over the loudspeakers.

Thanks to Mr. Menton, the music teacher, for arranging such a grand musical entrance. It was a hot and sunny day, but hundreds of children stood to hear our stories and share some of their poetry as well. At the end of the program Mrs. Kohl’s class presented us with a booklet of T-shirt designs the children drew for us. This was very touching and unique as it was something that was never done for us before.

Franchesco poses with his Patron Saint Francis.

After this memorable ceremony with the Spencer School, we were treated to some drinks and snacks indoors.

You never quite know what you will find around the next corner on the road across America.

My team of three runners had to leave soon to finish the mileage for the day out of Oklahoma City. Ulugbek, Julian and myself ran through Mustang and into Union City to end the long and rather hot day.

Along the way, Carolyn from the Mustang News came out and photographed our runner, Ulugbek in many locations through town. We are so happy when a reporter spends time with us and puts in a great effort to spread the news of our endeavors for harmony and goodwill through their community and in the world.

Towards the end of my run into Union City, we were approached by a friendly farmer riding on his small tractor. Mike told us the history of his family farm of over 100 years which qualified it to become a Centennial Farm. He is working hard to restore it to its full potential once again after some years of decline with other owners.

His appreciation for our efforts and his own personal efforts and goals really touched our hearts once more as we travel the road of harmony around the U.S.A.

We ended our day at the Whitten Inn and Suites in Oklahoma City thanks to their kindness. We all slept like babies—who had run 10 miles.

Our dinner was generously offered by the Outback Steakhouse in OK City also. Their delicious contribution was just what we needed after a long and eventful day once again.

Arpan and Team Harmony

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