OK - so I have been a little behind on posting. The only reason I have the blog is to post on Facebook - and given that there are other methods to post to Facebook, I have not been posting on the blog. The problem is that one day, should I ever wish to catalog the happenings of ChainReaction Ministries, I can't publish from Facebook. Thereby, I really need to get back after posting regularly on Blogger (late night hours, or when Reese [the dog] wakes me up at 3am, every night).

So with that I offer this bullet point summary:
1) May 22 was a great work day. 20 bikes, 8 ready to go to Westside Homeless Partnership
2) Did not do much with it over the summer. Kitchen remodel, and something overtook my garage. Oh yea - crap.
3) Memorial Drive Christian Church allowed me the use of a room to store the bikes and work on them!
4) Delivered five bikes to WHP the week of July 20.
5) Clark Martinson fixed up and delivered 15 to a mission on the east side of town in the same period. Way to go Clark!!!
6) What I pay attention to shapes and changes me.
7) Mackenzie and Dawson think that a) Dad has a bike hoarding problem and b) it is pretty cool to walk into the garage and pick a bike.
8) Kristin is waiting for me to clean the garage.
9) I need to post more often.
10) I need to tell the story more often.

The fact is that we each can give what we have. It is not really ours. It is God's. Do what you can. This is where he is calling me. I am only limited in my giving by the other worldly interferences of daily life. Trying to strike a balance between them. Every day.

Pay it Forward,
David

Good Friday

Five bikes going to Westside Homeless Partnership on Good Friday. Seven bikes coming in from Clark M. on Friday. Pay it Forward,
David

March Word Day Results

Several of the guys in the Men's Disciple group at Memorial Drive Christian Church came by yesterday to work on bikes. Tom Lyda (Senior Minister), John Malget (Associate Minister), Cliff W., Jack B., and Justin came by to work on six bikes. At the end of two hours, we had refreshed four bikes to add to the one that just needed cleaning, and stripped two. There is no replacement for horsepower! The guys made short work of tuning up two adult bikes (one which is awaiting a saddle). My garage and front porch was a little crowded, trying to stay out of the rain. Time to arrange another visit to WHP.

Pay it Forward,
David

Great Story from Westside Homeless Partnership

I finally had a chance to review emails over Spring Break. I got a great note from Westside Homeless Partnership.

Maria M. is the mother of six children. She was referred to Westside Homeless Partnership in September of 2009 by Memorial Assistance Ministries. Her husband abandoned the family during the summer and Maria could no longer pay the rent and utility bills. But for the financial assistance of Westside Homeless Partnership, her family would not have a home.

Maria’s family includes: Maria Fernanda (13) , Laura (7), Lenorris (6), Alejandro (5), Ivette (4), and Heily (3).

When the bikes were delivered, the children asked Mercedes to take them to the park so they could ride their new bikes. Maria was very excited for her children, none of whom had ever owned a bike. She was so proud of her children and admitted that she has never owned a bike nor does she know how to ride one. She is so grateful to Chain Reaction Ministries for giving each of her children a bike.

And that is what keeps me going.

Pay it Forward,
David

Business Models

My friend Bill G. and I played golf recently and I shared with him my odd little sideline habit. He has a much more entrepreneurial mindset than me, so he noodled some ideas about how to actually turn this into a full time adventure. Ideas were included a sort of medium to high end used bike store, to a loaner program, to an annual bike sharing program for youth. Pretty creative! Things to think about when you don't want to think of anything else....

Pay it Forward,
David

College Bicycles

I took the kids to Texas A&M and to the George Bush Library this week on Spring Break. While there, we walked around campus, and I shared with them the rich traditions of Aggieland. The MSC was under construction/renovation, so I could not tell Dawson to stay off the grass. All the while, Mackenzie found it fascinating that there were so many bikes that were locked up and just left there. (I must be rubbing off on here - need to watch that) Many looked like they had been there for months, if not years. So, what to do with all those abandoned, unloved bikes? Exactly! Yet another great resource for bikes and parts.

My good friend Aaron J. visited with the University of Houston folks this week, and laid the groundwork for a discussion with them. Hoping to have a meeting with them next week.

Pay it Forward,
David

Work Day Announcement - 20 FEB 10, 1-3pm

Time for the March work day. Spring Break has been great with the kids. I have not checked my email, or my calendar. If I had, I would have realized that tomorrow is our March workday! My house, tomorrow, Saturday, 20 MAR 10, from 1-3pm.

So, in preparation, I went to Bicycle World and Fitness, bought parts, and picked up two more donations. A girls 20" Next BMX, and a Woman's Roadmaster Road/MTB. I have seven bikes to work on tomorrow. (including three adult bikes!) I can always use bodies! I have most the parts. Still need saddles (kids mainly, but adult ones are welcome). Stop by, say hi, bring a bike, bring tools, bring manpower. Hope you can make it!

Pay it Forward,
David