Sand and Motorcycles

Sand. Here's the spot where we took a dip in the dirt on the first day of our ride to meet up with William and Kerri last week. We nearly gave it all up and considered limping home, throwing everything in a car, and joining them closer in.

But we got up and moved ahead, and fell five more times in a section of 15 kilometers of road. Thankfully we didn't fall any more after that. This morning it made me think about all the times in live when we just need to get up - again, and again, and ride on.

The Bible talks about "pressing on for the prize of the high calling of God." Missionaries and all people often get tired, discouraged and consider quitting. We've had some rough patches along the way. Some ask, how have you made it through thirty years of missionary service - just getting up one tumble at a time.

After few of the six falls, I just laid on the sand and looked at the clouds! It was okay, there was no traffic! Just three cowboys who kept catching up to us! Another life lesson, you can take your time, but press on, get back up.

I should say that protective motorcycle gear saved us from great harm. Prayer and active Bible reading are the gear we need in our spiritual trek. Can't ride without them. I feel naked and vulnerable now on short rides in just jeans.

I'm so glad we drove on to meet our amazing motorcycle duo of Stravig ADV. There were many life lessons. They fell much than we did during their 72 days through 12 countries and each time they got up.

Can't wait for more of their story! Stay tuned for more chapters about our 2,500 km trip soon!

You can see more about our son and daughter-in-laws journey on their Facebook and Instagram accounts:

Stravig ADV Facebook

Stravig ADV Instagram

Comments

The Big Orange Cat

Do you boys remember that big orange cat at the mission house in North Carolina? That was a special day for me. I don't have a new story for this Friday. I've had a long week, but my mind kept going back to that cat this week as I thought about what I would post for you boys today. Click on the link down below to go back to my big people blog and reread the cat story if you like. Oh, by the way, this morning I made a special trip down to the other end of our town to see the guinea pigs being sold at a grocery store. This particular store sells medicine and feed for all kinds of animals. This month they are selling guinea pigs, baby chickens, and dachshund puppies! Their guinea pigs looked very healthy. They are selling them for BR$10 each or BR$15 for a pair. Uncle Byron said that he was glad I didn't bring any home with me! One more thing - this week a mama possum came in our yard. The dogs chased it and Girl Dog let out a squ...

On the Road Again

Our first weekend back in Lage was hard. We were jet-lagged and unsure what to expect. Thankfully, the woman helping with the children still had lessons left in the book I’d given her and agreed to finish them, giving me a break for the first few weeks. Byron jumped right into the Friday and Sunday Bible studies. Saturday afternoon, we visited our faithful friend Jué, grandmother of Max, the boy in a wheelchair near Lage. Byron went to soccer, where more boys showed up than ever! An unsaved man helps with the older boys, and a church teenager has been helping with the younger ones. Our second weekend coincided with the first round of presidential elections. Friday attendance was low, and soccer was cancelled because the school served as a polling place. The Sunday street fair was moved to Saturday. We still hadn’t seen the family who had been attending Bible studies at the church, but we visited Jué again. On Sunday, people kept passing the church on their way to vote. Several question...

Sabbatical?

Last month we traded the dirt roads of Bahia for the smooth highways of the USA. We took off four weeks to visit with family, see one son be ordained, visit with another in the new state where he and wife are living and see our youngest grandson turn 4! It was a fast trip, and every day was full to the brim. So, calling it a "sabbatical" may be a falsehood! Rest, we did not. But, refreshed and just a little renewed, I think we are. Stay tuned over the next week as I finish up a video letter all about our trip. The funny thing about such trips is the desire to plan the next one right way! Does that take away from my call to missions? No, not in the least, but it does make me consider how often we need to "go home" and "take a break" from what we do without the need to visit all our churches. Furlough and sabbatical are not synonyms. Furlough means visiting a different church every week. Sabbatical is supposed to mean rest. I hop...

Cactus Flower

Search This Blog