Written by: Kim Eisenbarth
I love this group!
Continue readingCategory Archives: Natchez Trace Blog
The ongoing blog for the Natchez Trace Ride.
So much more than a bike ride
Written by: Diane Bies
Fields of yellow, white, lavender, and red flowers. Dogwood and Redbuds in bloom. Sunny skies with puffs of white clouds providing some shade along with the many trees. What a beautiful show of God’s glory!
Continue readingEven laundry day is an adventure
Written by: Melissa Safran
I’m writing this afternoon with a perfect view of the beautiful Mississippi mountains … of laundry. Laundry day is such a special time on the bike adventure; everyone’s opportunity to fully give into the adventure and throw their smelly bike clothes into a pile with everyone else’s smelly bike clothes and trust it all comes back a little cleaner. And the Bike Adventure’s true saints shine – the laundry team, who hauls it all to the laundromat (extra heavy today – everything is soaked from two rainy days in a row) and loads it into the machines with their bare, saintly hands.
Continue readingA great story day
Written by: Pat Heck
I love listening to others tell stories. Sometimes those stories are about something fun or adventurous. Sometimes it may be a tale of accomplishment and– at my age – it is often the accomplishment of a child. If I classified all the stories I’ve told and heard, the category with the most stories is the one with stories that are about overcoming adversity. But there is another category that I particularly love; stories about Amazing Service. Things such as a time when someone came to our aid unexpectedly or maybe a call to customer service where the company went above and beyond to take care of us. And for the riders today we’ll be sharing about this day for many years to come because we experienced both on our ride from Duck River, Tennessee to Collinwood, Tennessee. We received amazing hospitality from two different churches and we rode on a day when almost all experienced riders would have just said, “Nope!”
Continue readingThe Ragman
Written by: Brian Niedert
It was hard to believe the ride was coming to a close as we made our way to Tougaloo College today in gusty head winds – the kind that make me wish I were back in West Texas.
This morning’s pre-ride devotional was particularly moving… the story of “the ragman.” The story is an illustration of what Christ has accomplished and continues to accomplish through his people. The ragman goes about, giving of himself, until there is nothing left to give but his own life. Death in this case is not the end of the story. This ‘ragman’ is brought back to life and offers the opportunity for those who would follow him and his way to experience the same victory over the grave. His offer is to surrender one’s own life and prerogative for his purposes; to give of oneself for the sake of the world.
Reflections from the Trace
Today started out with a great devotion from Dan Hepp. He discussed an experience he had on a previous FCBA ride in which a rider got lost and the entire town turned out to track him down. This demonstrated how God will use a potential problem to His purpose: making an entire community aware of the Fuller Center and our cause! What a fitting concept to keep in mind when we experience adversity.
Pitching In
Written by: Cindy Hepp
FCBA is not only about the ride but about the people. We come from different parts of the country with different backgrounds and experiences. Today we were reminded that though we come from a variety of church denominations, we worship and serve only one God. He equips us with an array of talents to use for His glory in a variety of ways.
Right Time. Right Place. Right Everything.
Written by: Crystal Anderson
There is that split second at 3am when I ask myself, “Why am I awake right now? What is going on?” Simultaneously, I realize that I need to make an early morning trip to the restroom (per usual) and that I’m shivering a bit because I may have made a poor choice of sleeping spot.
There is that follow up split second when I ask myself, “Did I really just drive nine and a quarter hours to sleep on a floor and to turn around and bike in frigid temperatures? Why didn’t I just find the closest volunteer build location and go build for a day? My work in the office and at home will pile up. And I have to break away from the ride early to get home to another commitment. Why do I have to always choose the most challenging path? Can I do this? Will I have the will to do this? What was I thinking?”
Headwinds
Written by: Jeff Gabriel
Against the wind. The last two days we’ve had strong headwinds the entire day – and the rides were long. Both days were about seventy miles. But there’s one thing the riders learn. It’s much easier going against the wind if you work together. Riders form small groups with people of similar speed and take turns in the front of what’s called a pace line. The leader of the pace line breaks the wind for the other riders and the riders take turns at the front of the line.
Discerning the Why
Written by: Jennifer Elpers-Wells
So why do you suppose someone would decide to ride a bike for miles upon miles, complain about the “hills” they are challenged to climb, how their buttocks hurt from riding, or how sore and tired their legs are to then work on building a house the next day? Or even more challenging is to ride in the rain when it is 48 degrees. Each of us could be at home doing something we find more pleasurable. What would compel someone to ride about 240 miles and have 2 build days all within 6 days? Well I asked a few of my fellow teammates why they were doing what they were doing. Here is what some of them had to say.