by Emily Luxen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Texas teenager walking across half the country carrying a cross has run into a complication during his journey across Tennessee.
State law prohibits him from walking along the interstate, as he did in Texas and Arkansas. Junior Garcia, 19, said taking the back roads will make the trip longer.
"It's a little frustrating," said Garcia, "We're not trying to break the law or cause trouble, we are just trying to bring attention to the cross."
Garcia is a member of the Oasis Church in Saginaw, Texas. He said the journey across the country will help him celebrate his faith in God.
"It has been an awesome experience," said Garcia, "So many people have come to see the cross. We've had a great response."
Along with a few members of his church, Garcia is lugging a 12-foot cross on a 37 day, 1,369-mile journey to the nation's capital. He then plans to pray for lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
Upon hearing the news he could not walk across I-40 in Tennessee, Garcia and the Senior Pastor at Oasis Church, Randy Leeme, appealed to Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam.
"We just want to appeal to the leadership in Tennessee to let us get back out there," said Leeme, "in many cases, the back roads aren't as safe as the interstate."
Tennessee state law prohibits pedestrians from walking on the interstate. State code explains that a person who disobeys the restriction commits a Class C misdemeanor.
Junior said the setback won't keep him from continuing his journey. He is still hoping to arrive on schedule in Washington, D.C. July 13.
"It has been an amazing summer," said Garcia, "We still have awhile to go."
Junior Garcia
