Bike rack-check. Riding shorts-check. Riding shoes-check. Bottle of Aleve-check.
The final packing today as we make final preparations to ride across Alabama for the 9th time. It is hard to believe. Last night at our church dinner, there was a table decked out with yellow caution tape, bike gear and a few fun pictures. We griped about the direction of the wind…we ride from west to east and a majority of the time the wind comes from west giving a little push. Not this year. Winds are out of the east at 10-11mph all three days…that adds another challenge. But rarely is anything ever fully convenient.
I love riding with this team. We have been meeting together all year, praying, planning, raising money, and laughing at all the other crazy things from previous years. What stories will we tell this year? What memories will be made?
And then there is the real reason we ride. For the wonderful families who live quiet lives trusting in Jesus, praying for us, and working with us as we help repair their homes. For Ms. Sanford whose roof had total water damage. For Ms. Blount who needed a safe porch and wheelchair ramp. She had unstable concrete steps at the back of her mobile home with no landing or railing. Losing her balance, she tumbled down seven, concrete steps and had to undergo surgery and a long, grueling physical therapy. Finally, there is Ms. Morris who was widowed last year. Her house is extremely large and old making maintenance more than she can handle on her own. Several joists had rotted in her kitchen rendering it dangerous of collapse and creating leaks in her roof. We have completed these major repairs and will be finishing her home by installing a walk-in and handicap accessible shower. There are so many more stories! And every bit that we raise helps us not only extend God’s unconditional love and grace but make their homes sustainable-making it warm, safe, dry and yes, even beautiful.
The other piece are all the co-laborers! Disciples and followers of Jesus who do these repairs, who pray with the families, who share stories. It feels like the Kingdom. It feels like Jesus telling us to love our neighbor. It feels very good and enriches our lives!
We will be sharing some of these stories and pictures as we ride. Please feel free to help us spread the word about how people can help! Pray for us!
Use #cos18 if you like to use Twitter and Instagram!
Thanks so much!
lisa
Church humor…