Today I experienced the kingdom of God expressed through the generosity and love of others. I had a sheriff escort along with 8 other riders for the first 30 miles into Strassburg, VA. And when I say a sheriff escort I mean one sheriff riding his bike with us the entire way and one in a squad car behind us making sure motorists give us plenty of room. It was a delight to ride with people who love the sport and children.
Thanks to Ann McBroom from “A Small Hand” there were children from preschools cheering for us at several locations throughout those 30 miles. Once we made it to Edinburg we visited the site of “A Small Hand” which is in the lower level of a small church. Ann doesn’t let the size of her church or facility limit her ministry as she distributes an astounding 250,000 diapers every year. What an example of the impact one person can have when joining God where He is active. We ended this portion of the ride in Strassburg where there were several preschoolers there to greet us with smiles and lots of questions in addition to a reporter, a photographer, and another sheriff to take pictures for their archives.
We then had lunch together at an old historic hotel in Strassburg before I rode to Marshall. On this portion of the trip I rode alone, but I still had the children who were cheering, Ann who was organizing, and the other riders who were supporting me in my mind and heart. What a way to end the last day of this ride before the big day into Silver Spring.
This ride has afforded me the opportunity to meet committed, talented, and inspiring people across this country who have witnessed to me that God’s kingdom is alive and well in the hearts of many people. As I contemplate the end of this ride, I realize the journey is just beginning as I will seek to implement all I have learned into my own journey.
Ride Stats: Total Miles- 60 Preschools- 3 Sheriffs- 3 Cyclists- 9 Ann McBroom- 1