Registration is Upon Us!

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May 312010
 

May 31st-Memorial Day is about upon us. This is the registration deadline for those who would like to ride. We are excited about those who are going to join us. We have a wide range of riders some with great experience, and others like me who seem to huff and puff just looking at a hill. The support has been great! We have a great list of corporate sponsors- mostly building supply companies but also Kinnucan’s, several churches, Kroger, and more. Riders are putting out challenges for raising their support-consider using facebook, our template fundraising letter found in the info. packet, or other creative ways.

ARM is doing some amazing things this summer and fall. Our Livingston staff is getting ready to host their first set of teams in a few weeks. They’re site will be packed with 60+ kids coming each week on average. In Tuskegee, we will stay steady with out of town work teams and weekend teams. This fall, we will be opening our store. We haven’t come up with a name yet but it is a thift store for building supply materials and tools. This will give ARM its own office space (much thanks to the Auburn Wesley Foundation for supporting us for so many years) as well as an extra source of income. ARM is also prayerfully considering another venture that is geared toward helping families get out of poverty. We’ll keep you posted on this development.

But, events like the Cycle of Service help us so much to continue our outreach to underserved families and children. If you would like more information, let us know. Thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you on the ride!

The Launch less than a Month Away! Register Now!

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May 262010
 

Cycle of Service: A Ride Across Alabama June 25-27

It’s just around the corner-a three day bike ride across the heart of our state. Despite grueling heat and potential thunderstorms, riders will journey across the Black Belt of Alabama. Our mission and goal, to raise awareness about poverty housing and to raise funds to continue working on homes.

Why is it called the Cycle of Service? Riders not only bike ride up and down hills, through the plains, and across beautiful countryside, we serve. The first leg of our journey takes us from Livingston, Alabama to Selma. Livingston is the historic site of the University of West Alabama and where ARM began. Selma also has a rich history due to it being one of the major hubs for the Civil Rights Movement. After our riders journey roughly 80 miles, we will visit the Civil War and Slavery Museum later that evening.  This will help our riders reengage with some of the roots of why poverty continues to exist in these areas.

Our second day in Montgomery has a bit of a different twist. Once we complete that 50 miles, we will participate in a light construction project helping with renovations at the old Cloverdale School which is being converted into a community center. We will combine our repair efforts with an overall community focus.

The third and final leg of our journey has us riding from Montgomery to Tuskegee. Before leaving Montgomery, we will participate in a morning devotion and worship and then finish our trek of 45 miles. We will have a great lunch and return rally at Tuskegee United Methodist Church.

Riding, serving, helping families…it is a great mission. The physical challenge of biking reminds us of the hardships that many families with limited or fixed incomes deal with on a daily basis. Serving reminds us of the importance of coming together and working as a community to help each other out. It is the old concept of “building barns” together.

The registration deadline is quickly approaching-May 31st! We hope you will consider riding with us either the entire way or a part of the journey. Or, consider sponsoring one or our riders and help us reach our financial goal.

Less than seven weeks away!

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May 112010
 

We had a 20 mile training ride on Saturday and it was so fun! Exhilerating. Now, just to add about 50 onto that and see what happens. All the details are coming together and we are so excited about what we are going to experience. The churches that will be hosting us are so gracious and excited about us staying with them.

So, to put this into perspective. This past Friday afternoon we went out to a family’s home to replace a simple window. The last time that it rained-water poured into the house collecting in buckets and a small ice chest. The window replacement seemed pretty routine- no real big deal. Except that when we pulled off the window, the entire frame crumbled and left us nothing to install the new window into. So after the bike ride on Saturday, we went and reframed the window and then installed a new one. It was great to know that the next time it rained it would be dry on the inside.

These simple acts remind us of why we ride and the importance of sharing the love of Christ with families. So, we look forward to seeing you all on the ride!

God bless,

lisa

Just a Few Weeks Away

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May 072010
 

It is seven weeks and counting as we get closer to our launch time. We’ve had fun at community events like Bike Bash and are gearing up for another one called Chain Reaction being held at Cornerstone Church http://cornerstonebuzz.org on Saturday May 15th in Auburn. All the items are falling into place. Why is this important? Well, it’s about one of our special families like Rosetta. When we got to her mobile home, you could barely walk in it. The roof and walls had leaked so much that the floors were rotten along all the edges. Most of their plumbing fixtures were in shambles causing them to waste money each month. Her two boys had to deal with dodging holes and hoping they would not fall through. It was tough. Through volunteers and many hours of labor, the roof was repaired, all the floors repaired, and new plumbing installed. It looks like a new home and now is safe and dry. Multiply this need out across our state and then we understand why our efforts are so important. But, it is more than the repairs…it is about developing friendships and praying with families. Letting them know that they are cared for. The greatest commandments Jesus gave was to love him completely and to love our neighbor as ourself….so why wouldn’t we not be ready and willing to go and serve. This ride helps us keep our eyes on this ever important mission.

So, come ride with us or support our efforts by helping us reach our goal of $60,000. Thanks so much and we’ll see you on the ride!

Blessings,

lisa

Profile Pics Being Added

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May 042010
 

So this past week, Bike Bash was a blast and way fun. We talked to lots of people about our ride and what it will mean. Carla, Justin, Molly, and Ben came out to help and got some free grub from our friend and rider, Dr. Bill Deutsch. The t-shirts and water bottles look great and we are really excited about everything coming up.

Have you seen the profile pics being added? We need yours! Time is getting close for registration! Remember the deadline is May 31st and well, it’s already May 🙂 So, get some good peddling in and get ready to cycle and serve with us!

See you on the ride!

A few apologies

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Apr 282010
 

So, we really must apologize-I had no idea the links were not working. We have them all ready to go and should be functional. Let us know if you have problems or questions. We are excited about the interest that is building! T-shirts will be here on Friday and water bottles arriving next week. If you are in the Auburn area we will be at Bike Bash on Saturday so hope you can attend. Getting really geared up to ride! See you soon!

Started the Training

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Apr 092010
 

Wow, I cannot believe that it is already April and that Easter has passed. In a little over 2 months, our ride begins. My training is now getting underway. I’ve been riding a couple of miles each week just getting used to being in traffic and around cars. Plus, the seat gets tiring after awhile. Training was a little difficult this week.

This week we have had work teams all the way from Indiana. Our teams are from Charabusco UMC and LaPorte UMC. Between the two groups we have had 40 people working with us. They have been amazing as they have repaired homes, ministered with our families, and had fun growing as a group. I have enjoyed all the youth working on my site and helping Mrs. Battles. Mrs Battles has MS and is struggling with the degeneration in her spinal cord and nerves. Although extremely vibrant in spirit, her body continues to fight against itself. We have been able to construct a wheelchair ramp for her. The group this week has been building a new roof over her home. Mainly, they have learned about her MS, learned about her hobbies and growing up, and currently learned about her faith journey. I believe it has been an enriching experience for her and the youth.

Biking across the state seems easy when I think  of you tough life is for Mrs. Battles. She seems to take it in stride although she remains in great pain. Part of the struggle with her body is a constant struggle to stay cool. As the warm temperatures come in-this becomes a tough time-and yesterday her air conditioner blew out. It can be very difficult and life is more like two steps forward and one step back.

Riding is for these moments, these situations. It means to pray for families, realize their struggles, and be part of the solution and help. It realizes the movement of Christ and the Holy Spirit do so much more than what we can. So, consider riding with us-getting someone esle to ride, or supporting the effort through your gifts.

See you on the ride!

Cycle of Service Getting Ready

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Mar 032010
 

So, it’s already March and we are now ready to start registering for our ride across the heart of Alabama. It seems so far away yet will get here very quickly! If you are ready for a great venture, one that incorporates biking and the other serving-then get ready. Throughout these blogs, we’ll be sharing stories about families and the importance of our journey.

Look forward to seeing you on the ride!

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