6-21-13

6-19-13

Greetings and TGIF,

I hope you are all having a great conclusion to the week on this Hot Friday. By the way, happy first, official day of summer to everyone! It has definitely arrived in force. Do not forget your SPF!

We approached a couple of new ideas this week that were quite effective. As mentioned last week, since the weather has changed we have been running out of burritos and supplies before ever reaching downtown. I requested that members volunteer to make burritos at their houses and bring them to us on Wednesday night. Upon the request and some prayers, the needs were fulfilled. As 7:30, on Wednesday was nearing, I was beginning to wonder if we would have enough people to distribute all of the supplies. This has not been the concern lately. After all the supply donations were accumulated, and in addition to our own burritos, we had a stack of two hundred seventy-one burritos, a large bag of homemade cookies, nine cases of bottled water, and nine cases of miscellaneous chips, pastries, and candy. With the cases of chips, pastries, and candy I created thirty care packages containing three pastries, two bags of chips, and some candy. That’s what I call a care package!

When 8:00 PM arrived, sixteen bike-pedaling disciples were loaded and ready to roll. Some were carrying two bags; one was towing a trailer. About forty burritos, several cases of water, and some of the care packages still remained at my house. After prayer for safety and guidance the anxious, laden riders departed and I filled my car with the remainder. Saint Dog and I took the car to a central location for the groups to use us as a refill hub. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical. I didn’t think we would be able to distribute such and abundance in one night. Though, it happened. Three of the four groups refilled until the car was empty, save Saint Dog and me. Eleven burritos returned to the house with nothing else. There are three cases of water that didn’t make it to the car along with three cases of pastries. Those will be used next week. But, two hundred sixty burritos, six cases of water, six cases of pastries and chips, and a bag of cookies were distributed to the streets of Memphis Wednesday night, via bicycle. God is good.

After our weekly serving experience, we sit in fellowship over a beverage or two and share stories about the night. The new accounts are always a joy for all present. Since there are many involved who cannot be present for this weekly event I have requested that our riders recall any outstanding experiences in our UBFM blog. You can find the blog on our website, ubfm.org. Check out the blog periodically for any new Wednesday night encounters.

There are so many individuals to thank for allowing this ministry to transpire. Many thanks go to all of the families that spent much of their time preparing the food for us to distribute. Thanks to those anonymous donations of bottled water. Thanks to the distributers, restaurants, and sales reps that help us every week. Thanks to all of the dedicated riders that show up to serve every Wednesday night, and thank you all for the thoughts and countless prayers you send to us. You are as much a part as anyone.

Peace