3-5-14

Good morning and salutations UBFM!

I hope this message finds you all warm and full of joy on this Monday. If you are one of the fortunate folks that were able to stay home due to inclement weather, I’m certain this message does find you full of joy. If you had to make to travel to work today, please drive safe. I slipped and busted it this morning walking my dog. I can’t imagine the roads being too safe. This week we may have to change our name to, Urban Ice Skating Food Ministry.

With that being said, some people have been asking about Wednesday and how we plan on handling our ride when there is ice on the road. Well, I have hopes that some of the ice will be melted off by that time. If it is not, our missional focus will still be same: meet people where they are at and meet their needs to the best of our ability. There are several people on the streets of Memphis that depend on us for a Wednesday meal. Some of them also depend on us for a Thursday morning breakfast. A lot of people depend on us for a simply reminder that they are loved. It is amazing how a simple, how’s your week? will affect someone. Mother Teresa said, We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty. Memphis is our home, and this love, this since of want is something we can give without it costing us anything. However, the additional supplies we have to deliver is a convivial bonusJ

If the roads are too dangerous for bikes, a few of us will load up a couple of cars with food and supplies and drive around looking for people. We will also take people to shelters if they are interested. However, let us pray the weather lets up a bit. It seems that Wednesday will reach a high temp of 46 degrees. This should melt some of the ice. As we watch the conditions I will keep everybody updated on whether we will ride or drive. If you have plans of joining us, watch the updates on the website and Facebook.

Regardless of our method of transportation, we will meet at the same time and place: 7:30 PM at First United Methodist Church, 204 N Second St Memphis, TN 38105. If you would like to help us prepare some burritos you are more than welcome to arrive at 6:30. We will roll out at 8:00 and try to return around 9:30 or 10:00.

I want thank the magnificent group of people that allowed a great Wednesday night meeting last week. Though it was cold, a group of 15 riders came together to deliver over 200 burritos in addition to loads of snacks, blankets, jackets/coats, and many other miscellaneous items. Thanks to all the people who donated supplies for us to distribute. Thanks to all the hands that prepared food for us to give. Thanks to all of the donations that we continually receive. Thanks to all of the people that show up to ride whether it’s cold, raining, or 90 degrees. Also, thanks to First United Methodist Church for graciously letting us use their facility. God Bless you all!

As we come together for our weekly mission, I ask that you pray for us. Pray that we find the people who are most in need of our offerings. Pray that we not only find the people who are sleeping on the streets, but the people in their homes who need a hand full of burritos to nourish themselves and their family. Pray that as we do this we have certain revelations that allow us to move forward with our ministry and do more things for the community. Thank you all for the continuous prayers. Without you we would be lost. Regardless of how you contribute to this ministry, you are a large part of it.

Peace