Update and Hurricane Ike

  Hi Friends and Prayer Warriors

We are delighted to share with you that we have raised around $5,500 towards our $12,000 goal!  Thank you so much for your continued prayer and your financial generosity – we serve a Mighty God indeed!

Athol had a good week of training last week, and covered  a little over 180 miles of roadway.  He drove up to the race route on Saturday, more to train in the area, get a feel for  the gaps, and become familiar with the route.  Although he hadn’t planned or prepared for it, he actually managed to ride 5 of the 6 gaps, with only two water bottles and a snack-size box of raisins.  He mentioned that one of the gaps was so steep that he saw birds flying into the road, trying to go over the mountain. He was very excited when he got home, and knows that it will be a little easier to do it in a group, and after proper preparation and planning.  He has his carbo-loading menu picked out, and is rearing to go!  For those of you who have not looked at the details of the race or the route, we invite you to follow this link and take a look at what Athol has committed to do.  (http://www.cyclenorthgeorgia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=35).

With the route and difficulty of the race in mind, we would treasure your continued prayers for Athol’s safety as he continues to train and then actually rides the race, now only just over a week away.

For those of you still wishing to participate with a financial gift or pledge/mile, please complete the attached pledge form,  or call Athol on 404-317-6097.  No amount is too small, and it all brings us closer to our $12,000 goal

Athol has had to temporarily suspend his training this week.  He flew to New Orleans this morning, and picked up a rental car and 2 of the AIM team there.  As I type this letter, Athol is crossing the Louisiana/Texas border en route to Houston and Galveston.  He had planned to fly up next week, but after speaking with Ministry Partners in the area, decided to move the trip forward to this week.  The Ministry Partners we worked with in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina are already set up in the area near Houston.  When Athol called them this week, they were elated.  They told him that they’d received so many calls from people and organizations wanting to work with them, but had been waiting before committing as they really hoped that Athol and AIM would call and want to work with them again.  Once the connection was re-established, Athol realized that time really was of the essence, and therefore  moved his trip up to this week.  We would love your prayers for wisdom as he assesses the damages following Hurricane Ike, and serves to establish a ministry to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the thousands of lives affected by the storm.

Blessings!

Athol, Debbie, Christie and Joshua Barnes

Footnote:

I am on the road heading towards Houston. We have no idea what to expect, but the Lord has opened many doors for us already.

As we drive we are seeing a lot of damage and destruction, and most of the areas we are seeing are in very poor communities. We are still 80 miles from the area where the storm came ashore. Please pray for us as we travel and as we try to help some of those devastated by Hurricane Ike. We really need wisdom and guidance from the Lord, that He would lead us to the right partners, and that we would follow His leading for Ministry.

Athol