Just Overwhelming

by Tim Grembowski

FCBA has been overwhelming in so many wonderful ways. It started with all the encouragement from family and friends as they gave to an organization that many knew nothing about. It inspired me to try to be a worthy representative of their actions in faith. I have greatly appreciated my wife Brenda’s patience as I prepared for weeks before the trip and her attempts to conceal her worry about me biking out on public roads. I was especially surprised when my sister Karen and her husband Terry drove 300 miles to Sioux Falls just to send me off on Sunday!

Unbelievable generosity, care, and concern have been constant in my short few days with the team. Susan, Mark, Gerry, and John immediately welcomed me to the team as we rode their final miles in Sioux Falls last Saturday. Steve supplied me an inner tube when mine exploded (while parked!). Mark worked hard on Monday to practically rebuild Susan’s bike on the roadside. Previous rider Tom and his wife Lois have been fantastic as they are driving the support van this year and refueling us along the way. So many riders asked newcomers like me how our first ride went. Mike the bike mechanic fine tunes our bikes with the hands of a surgeon. It’s been great working with Leah, Mihai, and Susan packing the luggage every morning. Today we saw the grandeur and beauty of God’s creation as we crossed the Missouri River. This evening our host church welcomed us with open arms to their church and fed us a wonderful dinner. The list goes on and on…

FCBA brings people together of all ages, backgrounds, and personalities and unites them for His Purpose. It has been an honor to ride this week with such wonderful, giving people. It has been just overwhelming.