Today we volunteered at our church (Sagebrush) in a program they do monthly called “The Pit Stop.”  The “mother” church back in Albuquerque started a monthly program where they do basic maintenance on people’s cars for free.  The Belizean version of it is a free bicyle repair shop.  You would not BELIEVE the condition of these bikes.  The salt air just corrodes metal and rubber so quickly.  They had about six volunteer “mechanics” and we acted as runners to get parts, bring water, feed the mechanics (literally put the food into their mouths as their hands were so dirty), and bring the bikes in and out of the work area.  I don’t remember the last time I worked that hard or sweated so much.  I am so proud of all of my children and how hard they worked.  Whitefield – mark Julia down for four volunteer hours!  I think they fixed 60 bikes.  Most of them needed new wheels (rims, tires, tubes), new chains, new grips, new seats, or new pedals.  If someone showed up with a frame, they could pretty much outfit it.  I think they repaired over 60 bikes.  My new hero is a woman named Matilda who could fix bikes and use tools as well as the men or better.  I need to learn how to put together a bike!  We’ll be back to do it again next month!

Sam worked “the field” to keep the bikes in order and bring them to the mechanics when they were ready.  It was dirty buggy sweaty work.  I’m so proud of my guy!

Julia is pictured here with Mike.  He used to live in the US and was a truck driver.  Now he lives here in Belize and works three jobs to support his wife and two children.  He is a greeter at the church and Whit and I met him last Sunday.  I’m sure life is not easy for him, but that didn’t stop him from giving his Saturday to share the love of Christ through service.  These foks are the real deal.

I don’t want to leave out Iris’s contribution!  She made two batches of brownies on Friday and brought them to feed the volunteers.  They were VERY appreciated.