Scott Middleton – Cycle of Service

Why?

I get asked this question a lot. Why do you ride your bicycle for three days across Alabama?

The simple answer is: “to raise money for Alabama Rural Ministry to repair homes in Sumter, Macon and Lee Counties”.

But let’s dig deeper. Did you know that one in three families in Sumter and Macon County lives below the poverty line? If you are a homeowner, chances are at some point you are going to need repairs done to your home. The roof leaks, the plumbing stops working, the home isn’t insulated for those cold eight week winters that Alabamians forget about every year. Those types of repairs just won’t get done if you are on a monthly income that requires you to make a choice between buying enough food for you or your family, paying for your utilities and maybe even your medical bills.

The more complex answer as to why I ride my bicycle across Alabama other than to raise money to repair homes is also to build relationships.

I build relationships with my fellow cyclists. Let’s face it. You are going to easily spend 20 to 30 hours over three days on your bicycle. You get to know your fellow cyclists pretty well. You make new friends. You catch up with old friends. Maybe find out that the cyclist has a skill set or connection that could partner or promote Alabama Rural Ministry. You learn who is a morning person. Who isn’t a morning person? What their dietary habits might be. Which side (left or right) looks better in spandex (FYI-there is no good side).

You are also strengthening relationships with your family, your friends and your sponsors. I can’t tell how much it means to get a text, an email or to see people cheering for you on the side of the road. Whether it is at the start, the middle or the end, the affirmation for the “cause” validates the sore muscles, the odd tan lines and the raccoon eyes.

But the most important relationship you build is the one you are creating with the families whose homes will be repaired. The money raised can now winterize Ms. Ethel’s house. Maybe it is repairing a roof at Ms. Sanford’s home or damaged ceilings at Ms. Turk’s house.

So riding across the state of Alabama is more than just pedaling 245 miles. It’s about raising awareness that we have brothers and sisters who are in real immediate need. It’s about shifting the statistic to an actual face that has a name and is a child of God.

So this week, I ask that you pray for the riders. Pray that we have the strength to complete the ride. Pray that the cyclists will make wise decisions on the road (no Pilates while riding). Pray that we achieve our goal so that families can have a warm, safe and dry home to live in. I also ask, if you feel led, to donate. No amount is too small and you can donate by using this link: https://arm-al.networkforgood.com/projects/50458-scott-middleton-s-fundraiser

Scott Middleton

Cycle of Service is a three-day cycling event to raise money for and to bring awareness to the struggles that many low income families face in the Black Belt of Alabama. Many of these families cannot afford to repair their homes. Over the last five years, Cycle of Service has been a fundraiser for Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) to provide roofs, plumbing, electrical and other basic housing needs for people in Sumter, Macon and Lee county.

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Matthew 26:39

When I think of Jesus and the suffering he is about to take on, I think about the people he is doing this for: the people who haven’t yet heard his message, the people who follow his ministry and the people who do not like Jesus. If the suffering was only for those who followed his ministry, then the meaning and message of Jesus’ sacrifice might have simply died with them.

As we cycle April 22^nd through the 24^th, the cyclists will be become sore, tired and weak. One hundred miles a day takes its toll on your body, but the reward far outweighs any pain we will endure. We will cycle by homes of people who don’t know us personally or know about Alabama Rural Ministry. We will cycle by homes where the homeowner could be the recipient of a home repair through ARM. We will cycle by homes that support ARM financially.

You can be involved in this great fundraiser through three ways:

you can sign up to ride 1, 2 or all 3 days on Active.com
you can volunteer your time (and your social media!) to get the word out
you can donate to Cycle of Service through this page or at arm-al.org

So, why do we cycle? We cycle because we care about our fellow Alabamians and the homes they live in. But more importantly, we cycle because whatever we do to repair sub-standard housing for low income families, we do for Jesus.

– Scott

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