They made it to Tuscaloosa! It has been a solid week of riding and three of those were 100-mile days.  Some days they rode like the wind, some days they moseyed along. But fast or slow, it has been miles and miles of peddling. Jeff is tired. He says the whole team is ready for the day off tomorrow.

A lot of the road was rough riding today. By now everyone’s legs are tired and their behinds are sore. It was kind of a tough day. So the sign for First Wesleyan Church (where they stay tonight) was a welcome sight.

When we are in the middle of something, that is when it seems to be the hardest. At the beginning we have energy and optimism and feel like we can conquer the world. At the end, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. We know the struggles are almost over so we can push hard to finish. But the middle is the where we generally struggle and want to give up.

The people of Joplin and Tuscaloosa are also in the middle. They have worked hard, cleaned up most of the debris, and are starting to rebuild. But it has been months and there is so much left to do. The  relief agencies are moving elsewhere. The media attention is drying up. And it is up to the residents to wade through the middle time. The middle is tough. But Jesus reminds us that he has overcome the middle. He gives perseverance, support, strength, and anything we might need to get through it.

For the people of Joplin, Tuscaloosa, and the Venture team, I pray an Amish blessing: I wish you the blessing of God for a good beginning and a steadfast middle time, and may you hold out until a blessed end, this all in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.