Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1496243
COMPELLED Laz Alba/ International President BSHDFC I recently had the opportunity to join twenty or more So. Ca. Black Sheep on a ride to Casa Grande, AZ to support and unite with our Arizona family in welcoming Opie, Squirrel and Biscuits into our Exodus, AZ chapter. I've had the privilege of attending numerous patching ceremonies over the past 15yrs, but I have to say that this ceremony was a top five for me. This patching ceremony had it all! It was touching, personal, spirit-filled, and just an overall celebration with cake. Mentors shared about each of their mentees and the mentees shared about their experience of going through the mentorship program. As customary, all three mentees recited our BSHDFC pledge before being presented with their vests. I've heard our pledge recited many times before, but on this day, I took special notice of the first sentence in our pledge. Specifically, the word "compelled" as in "I am compelled by the Spirit of God to unite with BSHDFC…" A few synonyms for the word compelled include forced, bound, or obligated. I believe what touched me on this day was the fact that Opie, Squirrel, and Biscuits were in essence saying to all in attendance that they were joining our ministry because they had no choice...because it was God's will for them to unite with our flock. And it made me feel truly excited for them! It's good to be in God's will, isn't it? In addition, the declaring of the pledge made me think of my own journey with our ministry. It reminded me how God has been so faithful to Laura and I, and how He has used us in amazing ways; places we've been to, people we've met and ministry we've done that would not have been possible if not for our wonderful ministry. I'm left in awe and so grateful to Jesus for all that He has done in our lives. Has it been difficult at times? Yes, it has. In fact, I must confess that many years ago and for various reasons, I started looking at other motorcycle ministries to join. When I shared my thoughts with Laura, she gave me a metaphorical slap in the head and said "we're not going anywhere. We committed to BSHDFC and so we're staying no matter what." How thankful I am for the wisdom and integrity my wife demonstrated on that day. Being compelled to something means that no matter what, you're in it for the long haul! There's no quitting! Compelled means that when difficulties come (and they will) or when you doubt your calling to our ministry, you're not led by emotions, but by the commitment you made when you joined BSHDFC. Serving within our ministry is not a sprint, but a marathon. Mr. Torres, one my professors in bible college would often say "the man or woman of God doesn't look for ministry, they just exercise the ministry they already have." We are part of a blessed ministry; we just need to exercise it. My desire for each of you is that when you look back at your journey in Black Sheep HDFC, you too are left in awe, full of gratitude and blown away by how God has used you for His glory! I love you all! a THE STURGIS MIRACLE Mark ("Cruiser) Cruse This is a story of how God worked in a miraculous way at the Sturgis Rally a few years ago. My friend Nick, who lived in Pennsylvania, wanted to come to Sturgis and stay at the Wheaton College Science camp. Nick was going to bring his friend, James, and his son, Alan. James had been attending church with Nick. At the time Alan was only twelve years old and since it was a long ride, James trailered his bike. On the way, James's truck broke down in Sioux City. It turned out that the transmission was shot! James decided to take his bike off the trailer and ride the rest of the way with his son Alan on the back. They arrived at the Wheaton camp that evening and were planning for the next day. Meanwhile, Alan (the 12 year old) was swinging on a rope. The rope broke and Alan fell, breaking his leg! We all went to the hospital. It was there that we met a group of CMA riders. They offer a 24-hour vigil in the emergency room during the rally. We were in the ER all night. The whole time we were at the hospital we were trying to figure how James and Alan were going to get back to PA. This was going to be a challenge. There was no way Alan could ride on a motorcycle. Alan finally went into surgery at 4am to repair his broken leg. James asked me if I could go back to the camp and get Alan some clean clothes. When we got back to the camp I went around to all of the other Christian riders staying there (there were other riders besides Black Sheep there) and asked them to pray for two things: (1) A way for James and Alan to get back to PA and (2) A way to get James's bike back to Sioux City, IO. Nick said that if we found a way, he would put his bike in the back of a pick-up and James's bike back on the trailer and drive back to PA. When I worked at Wheaton College, the maintenance department always began our day with devotions. So I called work and asked them to pray for the same two prayer requests. I was in the camp office getting ready to return to the hospital when a man came in. He wasn't a Black Sheep, but I knew he was a Christian businessman. He asked if he could use the office phone. He called his business office and requested that his company send the company's jet to Rapid City for the badly injured boy. I suggested to him that it would be quite expensive! He said that's what the Lord wanted him to do and just needed me to tell him when Alan was going to be released from the hospital. I looked at the clock and devotions at Wheaton has just ended! (Thank-you God!) I went back to the hospital and met the same CMA group and I told them about the answer to the prayer request and that all we needed now was to find a way to get James's bike back to Sioux City. Two of the CMA members said they lived in Sioux City and were returning that day. They say they had room on their trailer to take James's bike. The Lord answered both prayer requests in an hour and a half! I went to Alan's room and found James in tears; he didn't know what he was going to do. I told him that we serve an awesome God who had provided a private jet to take James and his son back to PA! Besides that, James's bike was being loaded on a trailer as we spoke, to be taken back to Sioux City. James broke down in tears. Nick and I took James and Alan to the airport and got them on the plane. As we watched that plane take off, I turned to Nick and marveled that the Lord had provided all of this. Several weeks later, Nick called me and said that, because of the Lord's miraculously unexpected answer to our prayers, James was now a believer! The point of this story is, "YES! The Lord even works in Sturgis!" Are you planning to go to the 2023 Sturgis Rally? Let me know if you would like to stay on our beautiful campus...cheaper than any motel in the Black Hills! Contact me at MCruse1@att.net Don't delay...The camp fills up early every year! Join us in 2023. a