Many of you have asked me the following questions: Why do we do this? How did I fall in love with cycling? Aren't you scared out there? First off, thank you for asking and here's my attempt at answering your question, but if I still miss it, PLEASE let me know and I'll revisit it until you are satisfied with a good understanding. OK?
1. Why do we do this? I think that question can best be answered with a "snippet" from a chapter of my personal testimony. I call it, "The Struggle."
You see by the time I was 14, my life had gone a totally different route from my peers, because of the chronic illness and ultimate death of my 39 year old mother. One of the things that happen to me as a result of this is I became a caretaker ... but I gave it all I had, doing it with a spirit of integrity.
Integrity, I was taught that was a value everyone should seek to live by, so I tried ... I was a "saved but struggling" young lady that made some really bad decisions. So, by the time I was 20, I was a single mother, but soon thereafter married .... out of the will of both my Heavenly Father and my earthly father.
I married a man almost 20 years my senior, who was also a "so called Muslim." Go figure. Needless to say there's another story behind that statement, but let's suffice it to say that this was a really bad decision on my part, as this is when I was introduced personally to domestic violence on a real note, BUT God!!!!
By the time my son was two years of age he contracted a deadly virus called Spinal Meningitis, BUT God. As a result of a very intensive battle for his life, he was left with a profound hearing loss. This was my intro to the world of D/deafness.
My struggle .... Did you know that 90% of parents with d/Deaf children are hearing just like you and I? And brace yourself for this one, less than 10% of those parents and families will ever bother to learn sign language. Can you imagine that? Keeping in mind that most of what we learn, we do so by the age of 5. So, how are you suppose to learn if your parents, your immediate family, your caretaker cannot communicate with you? What do you do then?
Most of the people we speak with about this can't imagine this, but it is a truth I deal with EVERYDAY of my life in one way or the other. Helping the Deaf, kids, youth and adults, evening the hearing realize and accept the fact that life is hard, and sometimes those we love the most hurt us in ways they may or may not realize.
Nevertheless YOU must make a decision for yourself to "Get Somewhere and BE Somebody." "Face YOUR Fears" and Know that "Your Mission Is Possible!" We use God's infallible WORD to confirm these truths.
2. How did I fall in love with cycling? NOT! It's simply a means to a end. I don't even consider myself a cyclist, a sports enthusiast, athletic or any of that. Just this morning in Sunday School I messed up an illustration of being on the Defense vs. playing Offense. Ha ... I just do what I do, and our tricycles are the vehicles that God gave us to literally take His WORD across the country to thousands.
Actually Jon and I both find it to be a very interesting approach to accomplishing "the mission" that He has called us to, to which I have / we have responded, "Yes Lord!" God takes care of our business as we take the time and concern to care for His. It's really a great working relationship. LOL
3. Am I Scared? Honestly, most of the time no, but sometimes yes. But I've gotten to a point in my walk with God that it really doesn't matter whether I am or not! Really, because I am learning more everyday how to just do things afraid and make the Devil really mad. LOL
For example some of the results we see during these Mission Possible Tours make a big difference in the way I approach things, and yet we won't know the real fruit of our obedience until God Himself reveals it to us in Heaven. Amen? In the interim, I'll share a short "testimony"with you from the last few days as to why I do what I do.
The names and cities noted here have been changed for integrity purposes.
Anna's Story - Anna is a single mom I met in recent days. She serviced me by giving me a haircut, a not so good haircut I might add, Nevertheless, I showed an interest in Anna and found out she was a struggling single mom who had recently relocated to Florida. She had dreams and goals like many. I shared my venture in life with Anna, to which she expressed an interest and then I said a silent prayer for Anna, asking God to anoint her hands. I did this while paying my fee and graciously tipping her out, kinda like God does me often, giving me what I don't deserve.
The next day when we were ready to leave that town I felt led to stop by Anna's workplace so she could see our trikes. She was ecstatic. So much so, she dragged her visiting friend who worked at a local pizza parlor out to the parking lot and attempted to tell her our full story? I overheard her messing the story up pretty badly, so I went back to straightened out a few of the vital details, that's when God showed up and He showed out through me, quietly right there in the parking lot. And all I did was allowed Him to simply speak His truth profoundly yet discreetly into these ladies' spirits, right there on the spot.
The words I used were pretty simple, they went something like this. "God sent me on a tricycle from Key West to tell you that He knows what you're dealing with, He cares about you and your situation and He is able. Don't you dare insult Him by even thinking about taking yourself out. You can do this! This thing called life can be challenging, but you have access to everything you need to make the journey. YOU NEED HIM! He's enough! More of Him and less of you and less of them other folk you keep trying to depend on."
I'm sure I said some other things and just maybe some of what I just said is for you too. I don't know, God knows and you know if He's speaking to you right now. If He is, RESPOND and do it with the quickness. If you have questions or just need somebody to pray with you, count me in. Call me, text me, email me .... I am here, for you and the many "Anna's " out there. Know that you ARE loved and you are NOT alone!
I've spoken with many just like Anna and her friend along the way. Sometimes I meet them on the streets, in stores, in churches we speak in, in small businesses and large businesses alike. In schools and where ever He leads. This is just SOME of what we do as The WiFi Pedalers, as Missionaries of Development as 2 regular folk who have just said YES to Jesus.
Our 3 fold goal is always to: Raise Deaf Awareness, Raise Friends, and Raise Funds all while sharing The Good News of Jesus The Christ, who is The God of The Bible, in the flesh. See John 1.
Won't you partner with us? You can sow a financial seed into our ministry of any amount, anytime by visiting our website, GoFundMe, or by snail mail. And know that your prayer support is vital to the success of the ministry as well.
I love you, We love you and Thank You a whole bunch for stopping by,
Earline E. Holmes-Blumhagen ( and Jon)
Live & Learn. Love & Lead
v/text - 407.448.1987
fax- 407.521.9504
Our Website
www.GodsHandsAgency.com
Click to Donate:
http://www.gofundme.com/GodsHandsAgency4Deaf #gofundme
Our Blog - www.TheWiFiPedalers.com
My personal websites & blog
www.earlineBlumhagen.com
www.aMessMinistry.com
Our Business - www.jabdesigns.com
