THE SUPPORT CREW

L to R: Grandson Landon, daughter Erin, son-in-law Justin, granddaughter Julia, wife Pat, daughter Samantha, dad Mark, daughter Heather, son-in-law Caleb.

Before I ever started planning my bike tour/missions trip/adventure I had to be confident that I would have a great support team back home. I think the longest that I’d ever been away from my family thus far has been about five days maybe, and that’s been a long time ago. Just because I take a leave of absence from home and my normal daily routine doesn’t mean the bills stop coming or the grass stops growing. There’s always plenty to do and life goes on.

My son-in-law Justin will be pretty much watching over four houses while I’m away; his own, my oldest daughter Sam’s, my youngest daughter Heather’s and mine. Thankfully, they are only spread out over a few blocks in the same town and within easy walking distance of each other. I’m confident he can handle whatever might come up with them. And speaking of grass, Pat is no stranger to yard mowing and Samantha’s started mowing her lawn as well. By September, I would hope, the grass growth would start to subside a little.

At work, I have about four people that will help carry my load while away. Hopefully, they won’t do it too well.  They are busy enough with their own work and I truly appreciate them taking on the extra inconvenience my job might cause them.

But, the best support I could ever get is given thru prayers that are lifted up on my behalf to our Heavenly Father. I know that my church family, my immediate family, my extended family in India, my friends and many others have been, and will continue to be, praying for me as I undertake this trip. I don’t take that lightly. Prayers accomplish much when spoken in faith and I’m counting on a strong support group in this area.

Some specific prayer requests would be:
• For my health between now and my return home.
• For protection while traveling on the highways.
• For my finances. Though not buying gas I will need to eat more than normal to keep my engine running.
• For opportunities to witness and pass out tracts. And that the Holy Spirit might convict and speak to individuals thru the message therein.
• That my bike will perform well and that I not have any major mechanic problems.
• For my family while I’m away.
• That only small, slow dogs will chase me and not big, fast ones (I’m serious).
• For the churches that I plan to visit and the ministries that God has blessed them with.
• For the churches that I visit that are without Pastors right now (there’s a couple).
• For Bibles For the World and the ministries that God has blessed them with.
• For Living Waters and the ministries that God has blessed them with.

There are other needs and requests that I’m sure will arise and I will mention those as things progress. But for now my thanks and heartfelt appreciation goes out to all who help support me in so many ways while my journey continues. May God bless all of you!