4-10-13

Wednesday night was great!

Thank you to Frank Rouse, Heather Rouse, Olivia Rouse, and Jeff Sobocinski for showing up early and helping prep. Jeff is recovering quickly and rode with us this week! And again, as always, thank you to Angela Williford Conley and Emily Hendrix Conley for their continued donations. There were a lot of people out and we ran out of burritos so quickly! Despite the grim outlook with the storms and all rolling in towards the end of our night, I rather enjoyed riding in the pre-storm weather. Some of that lightning was ridiculous and beautiful! Luckily, we all made it back before the storm started and were able to enjoy it safely fromTommy Clark's porch, where we spent the rest of the night listening to Frank Fournier's crazy Detroit stories… I wont go into details. 

I had the privilege of meeting Eryin Sauer Tornabene at the Tiger Lane Crit races where her son Dylan Vance won second place in Cat 5. She is such a wonderful person, as is her son. She insists that we let her know of any supply needs we have and would love to support in any way possible. I told her that we could use a regular supply of tortillas and cheese! So, I will be getting in touch with her to work that out :)

Couldn’t have had such a successful night without our fearless riders: Matt Nason, Isaac Wade, Anders Goranson, Owen Harris,Ellis Rasmussen, and Rachael Osteen as well as a few others! We also appreciated the SAG support provided by Rick Prince. Thank you everyone for all you do and God Bless!

Unless you change and become like little children...

A few weekends ago I was invited to come and speak to a children's group at The Love of Christ Church in Memphis. It seems they were doing a study on missionaries; a different type of missionary each Sunday in March. They wanted a local individual to speak so I was contacted. Now, never have I been referred to as a “missionary” but if I guess if I’m doing missional work, even if it be local, one might refer to me as a “missionary”. (Just to clarify, that would mean anyone who is involved in Urban Bicycle Food Ministry is a “missionary” as well.)

Moving on, when I was asked to speak to the group I was filled with honor. I was informed that I would be speaking to two separate groups, one from early worship and one from the later. Both groups would be anywhere from 4-11 years old. I can’t say I wasn’t nervous. I had no idea what I would be up against or how they would respond. I tried to keep my address exciting, fun, and short. If these kids had an attention span close to my own it would need to be no longer than a minute. I pushed my limits and tried to keep it within ten.

When I arrived at the church everyone was warm, welcoming, and very interested in UBFM. Apparently they knew the key to my heart because they had coffee and donuts waiting. Coffee and donuts before Sunday worship is nostalgic. If they had taken me to Shoney’s breakfast bar after church I might have joined…

When worship began the children’s church leader, the kids, and myself sat near together. After the second song we all moved to a classroom. When we were settled I was introduced and given the floor. It was great! The children of this church are involved and excited about God’s work. Upon completing my address the kids presented a gift to me. Apparently they knew a little about UBFM before I arrived. They decorated small containers with Bible verses, rode bikes around their neighborhoods, and collected money for our ministry. Yeah, I know, I too was nearly in tears.

In the book of Matthew, chapter 18, verse 3 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." I was reminded of this verse when I visited the class at TLC. Sometimes we forget what its like to be like children. Think about it--most children want to love and be happy. It takes very little to satisfy them and they find interest in the smallest things. Love is everywhere for children and they find joy in sharing it. 

There is so much we can learn from kids. I was very blessed to be presented with the opportunity to visit this church. I pray that God will shower them and their children’s group with many blessings.

Peace

A God Story to Share

A God Story

by: UBFM Member

I am most passionate about my son growing up loving who he is. I want him to know that God created him in such a unique way and at such a unique time, that he can do all things. Today, I am active and self-sustaining, with one of the greatest titles of all: Mom. I am so very thankful and hope my experience can one day inspire him as much as he has already inspired me.

I thank my God every time I remember you.                                                                                                     Philippians 1:3

When I was eighteen and in the middle of my one and only semester of college, I naively left home due to a disagreement between my father and myself. I refused to conform to an arranged life and religion, much like any rebellious and heard-headed kid might experience, but in the end my heart was broken. I felt banished, alone, and very much ready to completely let go of eighteen years. I was not meant to return home, nor to college, so instead, I became quite the waif, couch surfing, discovering new faces, new ways of living, and new ends to new worlds. Between 2008 and 2011, I had lived in and escaped from four different states and eighteen living arrangements. The void still remained as “home.” Always between jobs, I encountered new drama in every move, within each family, roommate, friend, friend of friends, and stranger I found myself living with. After years of feeling lost and alone, abusing myself, neglecting whatever grace and integrity I had left, a new chapter in my life began when I found out I was going to be a mother.

After what seemed like a lifetime away, my family and I reconnected. It is almost as if my parents and I were finally alike, on the same page. We had something in common now and that was the love for our children. It indeed brought us closer than we have ever been. This life gave me purpose, meaning, and love. Because of my son, who saved my life, and became the roots to keep me planted, growing, and prospering, I walked a path that brought me back to grace, and opened my eyes to individuals who live for the glory of God, who are good, and who share their love with a world that always has the potential to stay bright on the darkest day. There was a time when I felt let down and abandoned by what I thought God represented. He is the Father I thought I was fighting for my independence from, that I was fleeing from, and how I felt so rejected by. I opened my arms to my son on January 31, 2012. My parents opened their arms to me not long before as if there was never any gap in time. And God’s arms were always open; waiting for me to understand the kind of love He has for all of His children.    

More than Fellowship

Last Wednesday we had a large group come out and help distribute supplies. It is so humbling to see my friends come together, at my home, to go into the community and serve our ever powerful, loving, and knowing God. This week more people showed up to help than I have seen since we started. This, in itself is a powerful statement by God’s people.

When people show up with their bikes to help I cover what we have discovered to be the politest approach. I suggest rolling up to whomever appears to be in need, greet them, and then ask if they have eaten dinner tonight. This approach is better than asking, “Are you hungry?” or, “Do you want some food?” We do not want to imply that they appear to be homeless or we are speaking to them in a condescending custom. Though, what we have found is a number of the people we speak to are not in need, nor are they poor. Many of the people tell us they are fine. However, every time someone says they are doing good and they decline a burrito, they always say, “Thank you for what you’re doing.” That is other than the occasional medical student that appears to be homeless. They will sometimes accept the offering not because they are greedy but because they are hungry. Nevertheless, we don’t simply seek out people who are affected with homelessness; we are serving any and everybody. Perhaps, someone is walking home from work and needs dinner and/or a jacket. Perhaps some teenage kids are on the streets and their parents did not make dinner. It may be difficult for them to accept a meal from a stranger but that’s, all together, a different issue. Perhaps someone just needs a friend, a conversation, or a prayer. 

I have said this before, but this organization is not simply a street ministry, it is a fellowship ministry. It is an opportunity for people of the city to come together heedless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, shape, size, or color, and connect on a personal level.  This is the message we want to UBFM to project. The greatest component is we get to do all this on a bicycle.

Peace

Where's Home?

Stretch your imagination with me. Let us say you have come home from a long day of work. Your feet are swollen, your eyes are heavy, you hear the pillow calling your name, and you know it is time to rest. Your child greets you when you arrive to your home. You share thoughts of the day with each other but you both are ready to repose. As you lay your head down, you reflect on the day and all that has come to pass. As your child sits near playing a game, you give them one last glance before your eyes start to shut. You then pray, give thanks for the day, and dose off. Just moments before you enter a deep slumber, there are noises and yells. You haven’t opened your eyes yet because it’s probably a dream, but you feel lights flashing. As everything comes into focus and the muffled noises become clearer you notice a person standing over you, armed with several weapons saying, “You can’t be here! Get up, get your things together, and leave!” You first grab your child’s hand to make sure of their safety then you quickly sit up. You want to disagree with the individual because you have laid your head to sleep in the same place for so long. But, he is holding a weapon and he looks very anxious to use it. You keep your child close because their safety is priority. You pack your things, making sure not to leave anything. The armed individual continues to yell at you to hurry. You feel humiliated in front of your child, you feel like a failure. As the two of you walk down the street, exhausted, you hope to find another place. You look for a place that is warm, dry, and lacking danger. The mission would be nice but it is full. So, you carry on, with your child as close as possible, holding tight to every prayer you have.

This happened last night. As we looked for people on the streets to give supplies to, the Memphis Police Department was looking as well. They were not giving out supplies they were taking them. There are some places are brothers and sister who are affected with homelessness can go to rest. There is, of course, the Mission. Though, it charges seven dollars per person and it fills up fast. Some churches have been gracious enough to join Room in the Inn by housing and providing food to people once a week but there are very few. Many churches don’t like to host “those people”; they don’t want to get their hands dirty.

When studying the bible, I like to give myself a contextual interpretation. I believe exegetical work is insufficient unless you supply a historical analysis of the context. Usually, after digging around, I find realization that many biblical principals are difficult to apply to my own context. However, one does apply. A principal that you find resting on the foundations of the synoptic gospels is Jesus’ love and compassion for the poor. This context has changed very little.

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,”

Channel 5 News

By the way, if you haven't seen it, here is the link to the channel 5 story. 

http://www.wmctv.com/story/21292352/memphis-seminary-student-feeds-homeless-with-bicycle-mission

The Public Eye

Greetings UBFM!

So, we’ve had an interesting week. Joe Birch sent me an email Tuesday night, asking if we would allow a camera crew to do some interviews and take some footage. Of course, I was delighted! As many of you know it was a great night. We made the news Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. Thirteen people showed up on bikes to deliver food and supplies. For all of you who were present, thank you for creating a good experience. We delivered 130 burritos, a bunch of cookies, several jackets and coats, blankets, and several packets of peanut butter and crackers. God is good.

We have officially made the public eye. I have noticed that the word is spreading fast. This is very exciting to me but it is essential that we are mindful of our growth. This is a small ministry but the growth is inevitable. With that being said, we need to make the best attempt to be organized. This is something that we have to do together. This is not my ministry; this is our ministry. If you are involved, you are part of it. If you pray for us, you donate, you ride with us, or you spread the word, you are part of this ministry. I am open for any suggestions or recommendations from anybody involved. The ministry is possible because of the people involved.

If you are new to the group, I beg you to keep in mind; this is a new thing for us all. It is a learning experience. The biggest part of it is we are serving God, building relationships, and we are doing it together. If we maintain that, we will continue to grow in love. That is the main idea. We call it church in action but, actually, it is love in action.   

I know I have said this in previous posts but this is one thing that keeps coming back to me. Every Wednesday night I am given the privilege to see the reflection of God on our city from my friends. I stand in humility to have this honor. What makes it even better is we are using bicycles. Thanks be to god!

Peace