Bicycles

"And this ain't luck, it's love grace, right?"

"Right, Pops. The bicycles are right over here."

He's here every afternoon, diligently asking for supplies. Asked for a space heater for the winter last week, and we had one available. Everyone else is asking for fans. Best prepared evacuee I ever saw. I'd love to have a grandpa like him. He wanted a folding bicycle, but a regular one will do. 

We had a conversation about luck and God's loving grace recently. His conclusion was that he could stay selfish if he considered it luck that he got a good supply source, but grace is generous and requires a response. His own conclusion. We barely pointed out that luck wasn't why we are here volunteering, and reminded him about God's love and grace. 

He picked a silver bicycle and named it Grace. Who knows what his response will be. Whatever it is, it'll be diligent, intentional, and will benefit the people around him. Pops doesn't do things halfway. 

Gentle Mom liked the pink bike for her daughter, but her son would be sharing it so she chose a silver one instead. 

Three other middle-school and high-schoolers can ride to school. Two aren't sure they like that idea, since Mom was driving them every morning. But Mom needs to save on gas a while longer. 

Shy Guy actually talks. He found a bike with just the right distance from the seat to the handlebars. 

If only the people who abandoned these bikes in Yokohama could see where they ended up... Even the Yokohama city officials at the bike impound yard were smiling as we loaded the truck. We wanted to take 30 but only managed to fit 25 in the rented two-ton. There's plenty more where those came from. One phone call from Iwaki City and Yokohama will give us more. 

A full day since delivery and we have only 11 bikes left. I'm guessing the city will call Yokohama again soon. 

Love grace in the bicycle impound yard. Who knew?