Ken learns about Blogs

Today Alice, Grant and Ken tried to get on the same page with HWI's social media output.  We are almost there, who knows we may only be 3-4 years behind the curve soon.

Big Day-Riding on Faith Manuscript finished

Today, 20 years after the onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I finished my read through/corrections on my manuscript, Riding on Faith. I got the word count down from 104,000 to 66,000. I've copied it, sent it out to readers. Next step is an annotated Table of Contents, cover letter, sample chpt. and off to the publishers. Oh, bathed in prayer of course.

The Gift of Words

Here is a paragraph from one of the Eastern European Students who has the privilege of studying in America for six weeks during the summer. It is a program that involves the efforts of Wheaton College, Domanada Foundation and others. Before leaving they write up a final paper about their experience. 

Specifically I want to give some place in my writing to bicycle. (You know that every student was given a free bicycle in the beginning of the program.) First, I did not bike for about 30 years! So, for me it was a challenge to get back to the saddle. But little by little I get to use biking and my last achievement was driving to the church 12 miles away from the campus. 12 miles one way and 12 miles return by prairie path. I was exhausted but happy. Not only because of the beauty of the forests and parks, but because two of my dreams come true. I always wanted to bike with my wife and our oldest son, but was kind of too timid to do so. Also, I dreamed about coming to US and go wherever I want all by myself. I thought for this reason I need to rent a car, but bike is quite appropriate and absolutely free of gas expenses.

When he went home we sent him with a pedal to fix his son's bike.

Wheaton E Free 3 min. speech

Here is the 3 min. speech I gave in our church service this AM.

Thanks for the opportunity to share a few ways Wheaton E Free has reached out and impacted our neighbors. Back in 2003 the Govertsons invited a couple from Tanzania, and myself for dinner. Through our conversation, the vision for His Wheels International was sparked. Then in 2005, during one of the darkest seasons of my life, God challenged me to obey Him and begin His Wheels International, which I did.

His Wheels mission is to provide bikes and hand-pedaled trikes through global partnerships as a tool for expanding Christ’s Kingdom. In the United States we collect, repair and redistribute used bicycles. Through our global division we have designed a hand-pedaled trike and a trike-building program to benefit those with lower extremity disabilities. Since our inception His Wheels has distributed over 1,400 bikes to individuals affiliated with 88 countries and 52 trikes are on 5 continents. The latest trike was fabricated and distributed in Soddo, Ethiopia last week. The recipient, disabled by polio, will use the trike to travel to work, where he shines shoes to support his family.

Now - Fast forward to 2010.

 One day Jeanne Wendt learned, as a result of the tutoring program with Lincoln School, that a staff member was buying bicycles out of her own pocket. Jeanne said, “I think we can help” so last year we distributed 9 bikes. Then in November WEFC and HWI entered into a non-financial partnership.

This spring 14 church families delivered 25 bikes. The recipients affiliated with Lincoln School were from 8 countries.

One bike was given so a father had transportation to get to work, now no longer able to afford gas.

When one little boy saw his bike he said, "This is the bike I've always wanted!"

Another hopped right on her bike and rode down the sidewalk."

One family said, “Thanks this is like Christmas in July!"

When I delivered 5 bikes to a family the mother and I shared a hug, and I was invited in. There I had the opportunity to tell the children about Summer Bible Clubs, through the church, “where you go for your School Christmas Programs.”

If you are interested in volunteering, or learning more about our bike deliveries and His Wheels International join us next hour in room 201, New Life Class. Also, pick up a brochure at the visitor’s center.

I close by saying, thanks for the ways that you too have made a difference by reaching out.

Wheaton E. Free Church

This AM I am giving a 3 min. update at Wheaton E. Free Church about the 34 bikes we have given through a partnership with HWI and Lincoln School. Then during the Sunday School hour I am sharing my story to one of the classes for about 40 minutes.

My Senseless Act- God’s Sovereign Plan

On Thursday, June 30^th I sat down in hopes of writing out all the checks to cover His Wheels bills for June. In addition I was planning to write out our rent check for July 2011. I knew the funds were tight and expected that I would have to write out a personal check to His Wheels to cover the organizations financial gap. Since we moved into HWI’s headquarters I have not received the okay from God to go look for money for HWI or to ask for money. Nor have I had to write a check from my personal account to HWI’s account. Instead I’ve sensed God has wanted me to follow Him and rely on Him. I know in this culture that sounds crazy. I would be the first to agree that it sounds crazy-or admit it is crazy

While writing out checks I had two to go, when I ran out of my booklet of checks. One of those left to write was the July rent check, which is where we had a $700 short fall. I thought, “No problem I have almost two full boxes of checks.” I wasn’t sure if they were at my home or headquarters office and to complicate matters someone other than me had cleaned both offices. When I didn’t find them at home I checked the headquarters office and couldn’t find them there either. I informed my landlord that I couldn’t find the checks and asked if I could submit it on Tuesday.

Over the weekend my memory went back to all the “old account” checks I had shredded months earlier. Well in a senseless act I somehow shredded the current checks too. So I emailed my landlord on Tuesday AM and explained my situation and asked if he wanted a money order or if he wanted to wait for my new checks that I put in as a rush order. I didn’t tell him the financial piece of the story because he deserves his money in a timely fashion for the outstanding services rendered.

All week I’ve wondered, “what is this senseless check thing all about?” I was sure God knew which check I couldn’t afford and I knew it wasn’t a mistake that I ran out before writing the rent check. However, I also didn’t feel led to write a check to HWI from my personal account. So I waited. Today I got a letter from the electric company. It looked different than my normal bill. As I opened it up, there was a check for $800 to cover the gap in our bills. All I could do was chuckle as I said, “God You sure have a sense of humor and from the electric company of all places.” I wasn’t expecting the check. They were returning our initial security down payment from when we moved in. I knew they were going to “return it when our credit had been established.” But only God knew the timing-His perfect timing. Now I’m just waiting for the new checks to arrive so I can write out our rent check.

Indeed God answers prayer!

The Smile Says It All

The first HWI trike fabricated  in Soddo Ethiopia went to this gentleman.  The surgeon reports, "I saw him crawling in the streets of Soddo about 4 years ago and offered surgery to him on the spot. He had severe polio years ago. He underwent hip releases and knee fusions. He shines shoes to make a living down by Soddo University. I have promised him this bike for 8 months. Today he saw it for the first time. He walks very slowly with crutches."

Soddo Trike Project Begun

What a thrill to open my email today and find a picture of the first HWI trike  fabricated in Soddo, Ethiopia. Melessa, the one next to the welder received the first HWI trike, that we sent assembled, back in January. Melessa knows the benefit of the trikes and has been pressuring the team to fabricate the other 15 trikes. The orthopedic surgeon reports that, "Melessa is such a big help!" The welder also took parts to fabricate another 2 trikes.

This trike will go to a polio patient like Melessa who the orthopedic surgeon operated on about 2years ago. The recipient is supporting his family shining shoes down near the university. He will be very happy after we make some small modifications to accommodate his knee fusions.

What a reason for rejoicing.