MIDDLEBURY — Ben Miller began an extraordinary walk with $20 in his pocket.

And somehow, between Atlanta, Ga., and Middlebury, he became a little richer.

The 19-year-old graduate of Bethany Christian High School wrapped up a 49-day hike covering more than 628 miles when he arrived at his family’s home north of Middlebury early Sunday evening.

Miller relied on the friendliness of others throughout his journey.

Each day, he’d walk about 15 miles and then begin knocking on doors and asking residents if he could pitch his tent in their back yard.

The $20 in his pocket was intended for emergencies and he relied on strangers for food. While he was willing to ask for food, he didn’t ask for money. Often, though, people offered money and snacks, he said.

On Sunday, thanks to donations, he arrived home with a little extra cash and a better understanding of people.

“I learned along the way when people offered me help ... not only do I appreciate it, but it gave me energy,” Miller said. “Knowing that taught me the importance of having a good community around you.”

On Saturday, Miller stayed the night in Goshen and made the final 13-mile trek Sunday with two friends from high school, Seth Krabill and Bryce Rheinheimer, who carried Miller’s backpack for much of the final leg of the journey.

Miller said a sense of accomplishment arrived Saturday when he reached Goshen College.

“I was like, ‘Holy Cow, I recognize this place,’” Miller said while walking Sunday afternoon on the winding, hilly pavement of C.R. 22 north of Goshen.

“I don’t feel tired yet, which normally I would be by this time,” Miller said. “I think I have a little boost of energy right now.”

Friends and family organized a welcome home party at First Mennonite Church of Middlebury later in the afternoon.

After a short celebration, Miller, whose forehead appeared burned from the day’s bright sunshine, strapped on his 40-pound backpack and was joined by nearly 20 friends and family for the final three-mile walk home on S.R. 13.

“It was definitely more challenging than I thought,” Miller said, adding “It was also more rewarding.”

Miller said he had thought about hiking across part of the United States for years and decided to do it after spending a year at Mission Year, an urban mission program where he recently finished a 12-month stint.

The ministry involves young people committing a year of work and embraces the theme “Love God, Love People.”

His journey, he said, was an extension of that theme.

Miller set out from Atlanta on Aug. 13 with a backpack filled with a tent, sleeping bag, clothes and personal items.

Miller planned his routes using Google map’s hiking paths, which estimated the trip to be 628 miles.

Miller talked with The Elkhart Truth on Sept. 13 — the day he passed through Louisville, Ky., and over the Ohio River.

“I’m enjoying meeting the people ... I get turned away four out of five times, but then eventually, somebody says, ‘yes,’ and I get to talk with them and hear their story,” Miller said while resting in Sellersburg.

“That’s my favorite part,” he said.

Throughout the trip, Miller said, he was always able to find a safe place to sleep. Persistence and patience seemed to pay off.

Prior to the trip, Miller said he questioned whether he could trust people, but quickly he learned the issue was opposite of what he expected. Many people were wary of his requests to pitch a tent on their property.

Even folks who agreed to his requests were often hesitant. He said he understood the reluctance.

“But by the morning, they understand I’m not going to do anything and they become very open. My hope is that helps open them up to the rest of humanity,” Miller said.

While many people were polite in turning him away, he did run across one blunt confrontation. That’s when Miller approached a house in southern Kentucky and a man came out of a garage and pointed a gun in his direction.

Miller tried to explain the circumstances, but the guy told him to keep walking.

“I was pretty freaked out for the next couple of miles so I was walking pretty fast,” he said.

There were uplifting moments, too.

While in southern Tennessee, Miller was looking for a backyard to pitch his tent and had already been turned away several times.

Miller continued down the road when a man who had just turned him down pulled up in a car with a change of heart. The guy offered some food and arranged for him to stay at a church.

Miller went to the church and hung out with a group that was in the midst of a “movie night.” Among those at the church was a nurse who offered to let him stay in an apartment and helped him medicate the blisters on his feet.

Soon, the blisters became callused and toughened up, he said.

Miller turned his trip into a fundraiser for Mission Year. Details on how to donate can be found on his blog at my628walk.wordpress.com.

For his parents, Sonya and Tom Miller, Sunday was a day of relief and pride.

Ben is the youngest of five children and his mother said she was heartened by the fact that he stuck with his plan and developed it.

In more than one way, she said, he’s come a long way in the past year.

“I just see a lot of maturity in him that I didn’t see before he left,” Sonya said.