Excitement, adrenaline, and the ole’ ‘check list” adds up to little sleep, but it did not hinder us for one minute. The sun wasn’t even up yet, but we were. Using flashlights to guide us as we packed our gear onto our bikes, we prepared ourselves for the start of our 10-day journey across the nation. We pulled in the J.C. Penney parking lot in Rancho Cucamonga, CA to find hundreds of bikes already parked and ready to go as the sun came up.
May 13, 2009: Bikers prepare for the day’s ride at the J.C. Penney Parking Lot in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
An elderly war veteran provided a moving display of our nation’s flag, which we followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Next came the National Anthem, sung by a soldier. Finally, the morning meeting closed out with a moving prayer from a minister who served in Viet Nam. We thundered out the parking lot and set out on the journey.
It was extremely hot across the desert. The Hydration Team, our Mission:M25 ministry that provides free water, sports drinks, and snacks to riders, was a big hit and success. We are so thankful to the churches that make this ministry possible.
At the first fuel stop, the Mission: M25 truck became the platform for the Route Coordinator to give orders. Then, Cowboy, last year’s Route Coordinator, took the platform. He shared pictures of men still MIA (Missing In Action) and some of their stories. He stated that we are on this protest ride to remind our leaders we are holding them to accountability.
Then, Cowboy introduced a single mom whose father had been killed in 1972 during his service in Viet Nam; she was five at the time. After the meeting was dismissed, Mission:M25 Chaplain Wes Alvarez from Pensacola, FL felt he should meet her and pray with her. As the day wore on the two talked several times, and he discovered she was from….. Pensacola, FL. Isn’t it amazing how the God of the universe can take two people from the same town and allow them to cross paths 3500 miles from home?
We were also able to visit and pray with some of the veterans in the VA Hospital in Phoenix upon our arrival that evening. Two M25 Chaplains made the first connection with a man confined to a wheel chair and an oxygen bottle. Two more Chaplains ended up with the same gentleman and were able to have prayer with him for his health and his only son who is in prison.
We are so blessed to be a light on this journey across our nation. While we are all having issues at home, we know the Lord has us out here for a reason. We are getting reports of victories for the people we have left behind in our homes and our ministries.
Please know we appreciate all of your prayers and support. On to Day 2!
