Gary Burd and the Mission:M25 team have been on the road for 10 days. They have endured long days in the “saddle,” wrecks, and even a hailstorm. Most of us would complain after two comfortable days in a car; these men and women spend 10 days on the road with no shelter from the elements. What makes them take on such an amazing task?
One word: Passion.
Gary and the team are passionate about sharing Christ’s love with these hurting veterans. Over the past 10 days, they have had countless opportunities to minister to the men and women who bravely served our country.
Throughout the run, the NETworkings team has provided daily updates for our readers. As the Mission:M25 team arrives in Washington, D.C. today, we thought it would be fitting to remind you of their journey.
Day 1 – The team kicks off the run with a visit to Arizona State Veterans Home. Chaplain Wesley and Chaplain Ox minister to three veterans by performing “wheelchair blessings,” a variaton on the “biker blessing.”
Day 2 – The team hands out water, sports drinks, and Bibles at the Hydration Trailer. They also begin passing out handwritten “thank you” letters to veterans. One veteran prays to receive Jesus!
Day 3 – The team takes part in a memorial ceremony for a fallen soldier. The encounter and pray with many hurting veterans. Some veterans still experience guilt because they survived a war when their comrades did not.
Day 4 – New team member Randy Corbit has a divinely appointed encounter with a veteran who served with his father. The team also attends a Native American “blessing ceremony.” Although it is a not a Christian ceremony, they are able to pray with a Native American female veteran.
Day 5 – The team has rough day on the road. A wreck totals several bikes. Two riders suffer broken bones; the third rider will continue in a truck. The team spends the rest of the day ministering to those involved in the wreck.
Day 6 – During the evening devotion, team members share many stories of ministry. Several chaplains ministered to a woman who had been gang raped by service men; another chaplain prayed with a Congressional Medal Recipient who lost his arm. One Chaplain was asked to pray during a special ceremony in Jackson, MS.
Day 7 – A storm blows through, bringing tennis and golf ball-sized hail with it. With no protection from the elements, the riders must endure the pounding hail until they find shelter. The air conditioning in a trailer breaks down. The team finds a service station and shares their story. The owner and service man are Christians; they quickly repair the trailer and invite the team to minister at their church.
Day 8 – Churches in Lenoir City, TN support the run as it comes through town. They hang “thank you” banners; crowds of people line the highway as riders drive by. One team member participates in a special ceremony at a war memorial site.
Day 9 – For the first time since the run began, team members sleep in beds. Bishop Gary Cope and the Appalachian Conference offer their campground, providing food and shelter for riders. The team rides into Wythevile, VA, where they attend a special ceremony hosted by local schools. Hundreds of children and families turn out to minister to veterans.
Today, the team will arrive in Washington, D.C. They will break into two groups and minister in various campgrounds throughout the capital. The run will conclude with a special ride from the Pentagon parking lot to the Veterans War Memorial on Sunday.
You Can Still Help!
Please continue to pray for Gary and the Mission:M25 team as they conclude their 10-day journey. Share their stories and pictures with your church this Sunday, and have a special time of prayer for Run For The Wall, Gary, and the team. Last but not least, take time to honor veterans in your congregation this Sunday.
We see the mission is not occupied in Juarez…. Is it available… What are the options? Blessings….Donnie and Barbara Halbgewachs