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.
