Cycles of Cyclists

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It's been an unusual year for cyclists riding cross country and stopping here at the church to ask for lodging. The church has been doing this for a number of years, even before I came to Marion, but what is unusual this year is the number of cyclists coming through at the right time of day to call a halt here.

While the Marion Mission Team was on its trip, overflow mission team members TO Marion were housed in our church. And wouldn't you know it ... some cyclists came asking for shelter, and there was none. But faithful members of MUMC took the cyclists over to the Bed and Breakfast, and they were thrilled with the accommodations. A short time later, I had a call from that group of cyclists asking if one of their lagging members could stay at the church. He had flown home for his grandfather's funeral, and was now trying to catch up to them. It turns out he was unable to get to Marion for the night, but we had breakfast, and I learned the group was a bunch of college grads out for one last adventure before settling down to "real life." (I also learned that he was from a family with Methodist circuit riders in their past, with collections of sermons and poems those men had written in the saddle.)

Next, a fellow showed up asking for lodging, and we learned he was from Spain. He had taken a year's sabbatical from his job (credit analyst) to work through how he wanted to spend his life -- not in the rat-race, but finding a way to live while giving and serving. But, he was called back to Madrid on business, and I took him to the airport in Nashville (at the same time, picking up Kent Underwood, and continuing on to a July 4th celebration with the whole Underwood clan). But Raul was very patient and allowed me to practice my Spanish, even though his English was quite good. (By going home for business, though, he was able to be at his nephew's baptism. And he e-mails that he is now cycling in Italy!)

Then, a group of five (4 cyclists and a support vehicle driver) from a Wesley Foundation in Valdosta, GA, came through headed East. They're project is to hold meetings in churches as they ride through, sharing how they can become involved in breaking cycles of homelessness and poverty. One of the five is beginning school soon to be trained as a missionary. He's 28, and a little nervous about hitting the classroom again!

They left one morning, and that very night, in the midst of a thunderstorm, the phone rang at the parsonage. An uncertain voice said, "This is James. Can you help us?" A new college grad and his (still in high school) sister from New York were biking westward, and needed a place to stay. They had come by during prayer meeting, but saw we were in service, and did not bother us. By the time they came back, I had left the building. But we got them in, and dry, and secure for the night. Since then, Keith Bast, John Watson, a young lady named Mary, and Phil Foster have spent the night with us.
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I want to thank our congregation for having "Open Doors" to cyclists passing through. Sure, they could camp out one more night. They could get by. But they always thank us again and again for the place to shower and rest before heading on their way. It's a good thing! And to think ... this is only ONE way you minister to people! Amen!

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P.S. Another way to minister is to pray for these young people and their safety on the roads.

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