Pastor's Message: Laurel, Mississippi or Bust!
Reprinted from July 2006 Revelations
Well, hopefully nothing will bust! On July 10, I will ride out of Laurel, MD on my 21-speed Raleigh bicycle for a 12-day journey through six states to Laurel, MS. Jim Welsh and Wayne and Wink Rouse will be coordinating the “sag” vehicles that will carry supplies and spare parts. The route will be on our church Web site, and our plan is to report in regularly on the web log (“blog”) so that anyone can follow our whereabouts and adventures.
There are several United Methodist churches or their members who are providing housing and meals. As I have heard back from places like Ferrum, VA; Tuscaloosa, AL; and a group of riders led by a Shenandoah University professor, the excitement of connecting with new people in various places is growing. Everyone across the miles cares about how our neighbors down south have suffered. Connecting us together to help rebuild a community is a big endeavor.
On Friday, July 14, our mission team will head for Laurel, MS, (most are going by Amtrak), having been trained for Camp Noah. They will be joining with West Laurel UMC's team to put on a Vacation Bible School to help the children overcome and heal from the trauma they still live with since Katrina roared through their homes.
Pastor Roy Pearson of West Laurel Church and I have worked together to establish the objectives and to contact other communities through which I'll be riding. We are looking for support for a few specific projects that are time-sensitive. I've contacted Mayor Mack's office as well as the Mississippi Emergency Management director to find out what is most pressing. With all the media attention focused on the Gulf region, many inland communities such as Laurel were hit just as hard, but most people don't know. In fact, many of Laurel's churches and citizens reached out to their southern neighbors while much was left undone in their own communities.
Prince George's County Council President, Tom Dernoga, offered a $.50 cent per mile sponsorship for my ride. Another donation of $1,000 came in after the Laurel Leader published an article about our project. People want to help. The expense of the trip has been covered by prior donations, so all other funds raised will go directly to the need in Laurel. Support raised during this ride will go to the following Laurel area endeavors:“Riding for Roofs” Numerous underinsured or uninsured senior citizens still have blue tarps for a roof. They will disintegrate in the summer heat; these folks need new roofs before fall.
“Emergency Management Shelter” Three of these are being built in the Gulf coast area, but the inland cities have nothing. These storm-resistant buildings house equipment that is needed to reach storm-ravaged communities. Laurel, MS was cut off from power and all communication for two days after Katrina. They were not equipped to help themselves or anyone else. Emergency Management Director Don McKennon, said having this structure is a high priority, especially before another storm hits.
Some people think that riding a bicycle a thousand miles is crazy, dangerous, or both. Yet as you travel the countryside and see those little country churches, remember that it was probably a circuit rider on horseback that got it going. For the love of God and of the people out there in the wilderness, he endured many dangers. If you're a Christian today, you could probably trace your faith back through your ancestors until you came to one who heard the gospel from a circuit preacher or from a convert who heard it from one.
This ride is kind of like being a circuit rider, but compared to what those guys endured, this will be much easier. But everyday I'm in the saddle, talking to the Lord, it's something to think about. What a blessed opportunity to touch lives across the land.