We are on day 7 (Friday, July 14), in Brunswick, MD after riding 59 miles today. As soon as we arrived a thunderstorm rolled through. Hopefully we will still be able to go tubing on the Potomac River. Tomorrow we finish at the Resiliency ride at the White House. Stay tuned.
On Thursday the Resiliency Riders made it to to Fort Frederick, a1756. French Indian Fort.
Historic Fort Frederick State Park gave the riders a look at life in the 18th century fort as volunteers exhibited the varied roles the fort played during the French and Indian War, American Revolution and Civil War. The program provided the Resiliency Riders a closer look at the life of the common soldier serving their nation during wartime.
On Wednesday, day five, rode 54 miles on C&O Canal in mud and heat. All pushed through even with detours and a minor mishap along the way when a branch in the path took two riders out. (NO INJURIES) PTL. John Jordan led devotions and did a wonderful job. Kids loved the pool. Leaving soon for Fort Frederick, MD. 2 days left to DC which will be long days in the saddle. Stand firm.
Tuesday, July 11, we finished riding across Pennsylvania and into Maryland. 150 plus miles in four days! The next four will really test them. All are doing a good job. Tonight Tez, Zach-Attack, and Pop Tart wanted to try sleeping without a ten in the pavilion. They look like burritos!
We crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and rode through four long dark tunnels.
The Resiliency Ride got off to a challenging start with rain, mud and an unexpected detour.
But God is showing up.
The Resiliency Riders are pushing through.
As of Tuesday night, July 10, they were a third of the way along the 225-mile trek across the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the Old Chesapeake and Ohio Railway from Pittsburg to Washington D.C.
“There were moments I was like: ‘I don’t know if I should have done this,’” said Henry, 21, an adult rider leading the kids on the trail. “But after pushing through, I feel so good about what we have accomplished. The kids are just loving it too.”
Henry works with the youth at Lord’s Gym Ministries as an intern through the support of the University of Cincinnati.
Henry said has God showed up immediately when the bike trek started. When they arrived to the trail in Pittsburgh to bike to their campground, the trail was blocked off. They had no idea where to go.
“This woman was biking and happened to stop and ask us if we needed help,” Henry said. “Before we knew it we were all following her through city streets to get to the next part of the trail. When we reached it, she made time to pray for us and has asked us to keep her posted about the trip. She was really kind.”
The next challenge was weather. On Sunday, it rained heavily, and the kids had to struggle through the elements.
Just as the challenge was on, God showed up again with a fun reward, said Resiliency Rider Pop Tart. The trail eventually led to a natural water slide. The boys hopped off their bikes and made the most of 45 minutes taking turns sliding down.
“My bottom is a little bit sore, but it was really fun,” Pop Tart, 17, said. “I was not expecting something like that. I’ve never been down a natural water slide before.”
Pop Tart said he has enjoyed the scenery and camping in his tent. He also got to help make food for the group, which was “really fun.”
Pop Tart said he’s enjoying bonding with his friends and the adults on the trip too.
“One of our adult leaders Scot, translates the Bible into different languages. He read a verse in Philippians to us in English and then another language. Then, he broke down the verse, which was about how we should put others before ourselves. Our adult leaders are doing that every day and they keep us going.”
Resiliency Rider Madden, 14, said he’s “lovin’ it!”
Taking it moment by moment he’s staying focused on “getting up the hill tomorrow and then it’s down from there,” he said. “I keep thinking about D.C. I want to see the White House, that is my main goal. It’s something I’ve always wanted to see in person.”
Madden said God has shown up for him several times on the ride, so far.
“I’ve fallen a few times, off my bike, but I’ve been OK, that’s God,” he said. “I get back up and, on my bike, and keep going.”
Today, July 11, the Resiliency Riders will begin the Chesapeake & Ohio Trail to D.C.
From the Desk of Melissa Reinert
Our purpose while on this earth is to do the will of the Lord. Of course, we aren’t serving as His slave or employee. We do not work out of debt or imprisonment, but free will. We do not work for Him for money or position. After all, He has already given us the greatest treasure, and made us His sons and daughters. We serve the Lord because we love Him, because He first loved us.
Our Father’s will for us is to love one another and to tell everyone about Jesus. His life, His death, and His resurrection are to be boldly claimed and lived out daily in our lives. Simple, right? Easy to say, hard to do. Fulfilling the Lord’s will takes effort. You need a plan and you have to do the work. 1 Timothy 4:7 tells us we are to “train ourselves for godliness.”
Just as an athlete practices regularly to know his game and to build his skill, so we must do what it takes to know and fulfill the Lord’s will. We must immerse ourselves in His Word. We must also commune with God. That is our system; our plan: Time reading the Bible and time on our knees in prayer.
Only then can we answer the charge of 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth.”
Having this foundation keeps us strong as we stand against temptation, disobedience, and worldly distraction. We are set apart from these things, called to be holy. “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
The Lord has called us. Let’s keep to our system and do the work.
Chef LeQuan grew up in Chicago in poverty. He knows what it’s like to be hungry. So, now, he feeds people. We were blessed to welcome him, for the fourth-year in a row, to Price Hill. He partnered with Lord’s Gym Ministries and ended up feeding about 150 people on Sunday. It was a wonderful event. Chef Quan says that he is “drawn” to serve alongside us in Price Hill. We appreciate his talents and his willingness to share them to help so many!
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“Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27. Our oldest son, 19, graduated high school last month. We are very proud of him. He’s a bit nervous, but he’s going to do great in life. He loves the Lord, has a kind heart, and is always willing to try new things. He’s willing to get outside of his comfort zone and has a strong desire to do better. These two qualities will take him far in life professionally, mentally, and spiritually. Proverbs 19:27 warns that if we turn our ear from instruction, we will become estranged to knowledge. So, we need to keep listening, keep learning, and keep building our skills, even while developing new skills. You may be 19, fresh out of high school or 37 passionately mid-career, or 88 and ready to “refire.” Either way you’re never too young, too old or too ready to be comfortable. You must continue to build skill. This applies to our education, our work and our walk with the Lord. Here are seven ways you can build skill:
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“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Earlier this week the Lord’s Gym Ministries staff visited former Chaplain Brandon Welch and his wife Kim Welch in Lexington to serve through Bridge the Gap. They are, as Brandon says: “A ground zero ministry that seeks and builds relationships with our friends trapped in sex trafficking, addiction and extreme poverty to impart hope, demonstrate God’s love and present opportunities for freedom.”
It was a wonderful opportunity to serve alongside our brother Brandon and experience first-hand what he and Kim are doing through the Lord with Bridge the Gap. It is truly a beautiful thing.
We set up shop at a local shopping strip. We grilled chicken, provided snacks, offered clothing, and set up a play area for kids. We offered conversation, prayer and connection to various community resources.
Many of the individuals we met were very broken and destitute – one young man told me he hadn’t eaten in weeks. I overheard another young woman saying she had been drinking and it was all just too much, she wanted out. Like Jesus, we met them where they are and made a difference, albeit maybe just planting a seed.
I was reminded of something very important while on this inner-city mission in Lexington. It isn’t hard to communicate the love of God. I don’t know about you, but I can be very shy at times. As an introvert, it’s often difficult for me to start walking up to people, sometimes even those I know well, and striking up a conversation. It’s even scarier when you’re not sure you’re getting your message across. I had several incidents in Lexington where I was “communicating” with individuals who spoke either Spanish or Swahili.
There was one woman in particular I remember. She was looking through the clothes. I noticed she was wearing a colorful dress. I found a piece that had magnificent colors and her face just lit up. We chatted a little, although, neither really knew what the other was saying. I let her know about the food and she was so appreciative. She was also very shy. I offered prayer, and I’m not sure she understood what I meant, but we didn’t pray together, still I prayed for her in my heart. When she comes to my mind now, I remember her in prayer. She was so sweet and gentle.
I believe that she, and many others, experienced the love of God that day from all of us that were out serving. I don’t know her situation. I do know that God loves her. I know too that the expression of love she experienced that day will come to her in a time of need. God always shows up. It’s important that we show up too. It may seem hard for us, especially when you’re a bit shy, but it’s really so easy to communicate His love. It knows no bounds.