Every October some of us ride 100 miles over the long weekend in October to raise money for Church Beyond the Walls. This event is called the CBW100 and its theme is PERSEVERANCE.
These are the thoughts I had in 2022. – Catherine Thenault
When I ride for Church Beyond the Walls – these are some of the things I think about:
1. Sometimes people show up at CBW straight from prison, or in bare feet, or in some other kind of stress. Our community responds with their gifts and talents. Frequently, these talents come from lived experiences that were similarly difficult and challenging. It’s amazing to be able to use one of the worst times in your life to help someone else.
2. There aren’t many places in our lives where Socio-economic lines are blurred. our society is very good at keeping everyone in their lanes. Church is one place where people from very diverse walks of life can come together, in community, and worship and serve together. CBW does this very well.
3. Without exception, the people I meet, who are homeless, have experienced severe trauma in their lives, usually in childhood. Trauma rewires the brain, there is a lot of research on this. When I meet my brothers in sisters in Christ who are struggling, I don’t think “They are making/have made bad choices”, I think “I don’t know why they are in this situation, but I know they suffered. Where can I see Jesus in them, and how can I reflect Jesus’s love back to them”
Some thoughts from the bike! Thanks to everyone who has already donated, It’s never too late to donate using CBWs secure donation platform!