CONWAY, S.C. — People talk to God in many ways, either through worship, song or silent prayer. But there's a place in South Carolina where people leave messages to God for all to see.
It's the Travelers Chapel off Highway 501 in Conway, a tiny sanctuary where visitors open up about the most personal aspects of their lives by leaving messages to God inside a guestbook.
"God, please, I pray for your intervention in the healing of our family," reads one such example.
At the chapel, visitors open up about the most personal aspects of their lives by leaving messages to God inside a guestbook.
"Praying for Christmas miracle that my family can put the past behind them and heal," another said.
Most of the messages deal with family, from his estranged loved ones to the loss of a family member. It's all in the book.
Pastor Wendell Estep said Christmas is a way of reminding people of their faith in God, even in difficult times.
"I think a lot about the family and some of the things that we go through," Estep said. "People like to be together at Christmas with your family. There are a lot of people who can't. And when we have family issues, are we - there's something in our heart about our family, or we're separated from them, or there's issues with our family that we're dealing with. I think the thing that is important is to know that God cares and God understands. We don't serve a God who is removed and untouched."
The Travelers Chapel in Conway has been open for over 50 years now. The doors are always unlocked, welcoming visitors 24 hours a day. Since 1972, it's estimated that tens of thousands of people have stopped by to spend some private time with God.
"In a place like this, there is a feeling that they are that they are alone with God,' Estep explained. "In fact, Jesus said in Matthew Chapter Six, verse Number Six, when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and God will see in secret and repay you. So I think that there is a feeling with a lot of people that that when I'm in a place like this, that I'm alone with God."
Not all of the messages tug at your heart.
"I like this one," Estep said, reading one such note. "'I told you if Clemson won, I'd go to church. Praise be to God, and go Tigers.'"
A light-hearted reminder that God is always listening, no matter what kind of adversity you're going through.