“The quieter you
become the more you hear.”
-Ram Doss -
Last summer I was able to bike with the Fuller Center across
the country from New Jersey to Oregon. It was such an amazing experience! My
philosophy in life is if there is an opportunity to do something amazing at
least once, do it. If you have the chance to do it a second time, definitely do
it again! This summer I have the opportunity to bike from Oceanside, CA to
Colorado Springs, CO (four weeks, 2,000 miles).
My heart is full and my soul happy to know that I will get to cycle. I
find it amazing how quickly you can slide back in to old habits. A little bit
about myself – I am a busy person. I do try to set aside time to spend with
friends, to bike, and just to be. The time I get out on the country roads
between work and prepping for classes is like free therapy for me. There are
many things I love about the bike ride. One of them is the freedom that I get
and how my life completely changes when I am on this journey. Last summer one
goal of mine was to slow down and I was completely able to achieve this goal. There
were many days the only thing you could hear was the wind blowing through the
corn or just the sound of the bike chains. The entire experience slows all of
me down. The quote above by Ram Doss is so true. When I slowed down last summer
I was able to hear the whisper of God. I was able to hear stories of other
cyclists. I was able to see what it really means to serve. I learned that
serving is more than just completing the actual project but serving by the
giving of your time. I learned that serving is about listening and getting to
know the people you serve. I saw so many generous, giving people all across the
US that served us. Churches that fed us, strangers that set up lemonade stands
and passed out free cookies along the side of the road. Brothers and sisters
that opened up their homes to us and worshiped with a group of smelly
strangers. This ministry blew my mind and changed my heart last summer. When
the opportunity came up again for me to cycle some of the ride this summer I
didn’t hesitate.
Prepping for this summer has and will be a little more
challenging. I have less time to train physically but feel like the mental and
spiritual aspect of the training is going well! If you don’t know much about
the Fuller Center I encourage you to look it up and read about it! I didn’t
know much about the Fuller Center when I started last summer. Throughout my
experience, including the spring ride and just in general I completely believe
in this ministry. From seeing it in the flesh and working alongside with Fuller
Center covenant partners across the US, my heart is glad that there are
ministries like the Fuller Center out there trying to end Poverty Housing!
There are so many people, families, and communities that need help. Whether it
is big or small there is poverty right under our noses in this country. I am
going to do all that I can as I cycle mile after mile and hammer nail after
nail to do my part. I will keep you updated building up to the ride as well as
once the ride starts! Oyee and thanks for reading this and showing interest in
my ministry bike ride this summer!
