Florida to California: A Prayer and a Chance Encounter

Men’s Bible discussion group of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church blessed Honess as he prepared for a cross-country bike ride for UMCOR.
CREDIT: Courtesy of Charles Honess

By Charles Honess*

October 3, 2012—I attend a men's Bible discussion group on Thursday mornings at my home church, Mt. Pisgah UMC, back in Atlanta, Georgia. The Thursday before I left to start on my cross-country bike ride for UMCOR, the men prayed over me for safety, health, and witness opportunities. One of them prayed particularly that I would know when to stop pedaling and help someone I might meet.

After stopping for a rest at Monument Park in
Florida, Honess had a surprise encounter.
Credit: Charles Honess

So here I am pedaling along FL 90, and I decide to stop alongside the road at a place called Monument Park. I get some water, an energy bar, and take a rest. After a bit, I take off again, and about a mile ahead of me, I see what I think is a broken-down motorcycle and driver. As I get closer, much to my surprise, I discover that what I am seeing is a homeless man pushing a grocery cart down the side of the road. I slow down, and as I ride by, I ask if he’s ok, and he says he is. So I ride on.

About a quarter of a mile up the road, I am "reminded" of the prayer, and I stop. The man pushing the cart catches up and wheels alongside me. We spend 15 minutes chatting man to man, and I think I am the first person he has talked to in a while. I give him some G2, and he tells me to drink only bottled water in this region.

I am sure this encounter will remain with me for the rest of my life... Hopefully I will have enough sense to stop sooner next time!

*Charles Honess is a retired businessman who is biking across the southern United States, from Atlantic Beach, Florida, to San Diego, California, to raise awareness and funds for UMCOR. He plans to visit United Methodist churches and community groups along the way. For information about Honess’ trip and how your church or group might host him for such a sharing opportunity, please contact Landon Taylor, UMCOR executive in charge of church and donor relations, at telephone 212-870-3928 or email ltaylor@umcor.org.

Florida to California, Day One

Honess begins his trip at Atlantic Beach, Florida.

Courtesy of Charles Honess

By Charles Honess*
October 1, 2012—On my first day biking across the US for UMCOR I rode 50 miles, from the Atlantic Ocean through Jacksonville, Florida. This first day of the 3,000 mile trip is the time to check out all my systems: navigator, external battery, ear phones, etc., etc.

Half way through the ride, I stopped at a convenience store and got a soda and some water. I was checking my map in the parking lot to see if I really knew where I was… and I didn't. Lost!! Almost immediately a Jacksonville policeman, Sargent Mitchell, pulled into the lot and said hello. I asked him where the road was that I was looking for, and it turned out I had passed it a long time ago. He told me another way to get where I was headed, and I took off.

Fifteen minutes later, here comes Sargent Mitchell making sure I had found the road he had directed me to. Thirty minutes after that, he is setting alongside the road to make sure I didn't miss another turn. I am impressed, I thank him, give a fist bump, and I’m off.

Now it is time to quit and have Sparky [Paul Sparks, who is accompanying Honess in a support vehicle] pick me up. So, I call him on his cell phone and… no answer. We have an app that is supposed to show us where each other is located: No Sparky.

I am ready for a shower, food, rest, and I am getting a little worried. I look down the road, and I see a police car headed my way. Well, I had so much luck the last time, I decide to flag this fellow down. He pulls over, and right behind him is Sparky. Paul's phone had died, and the policeman said he knew where I would be. We get Paul a charger for his phone that night.

Angels in an unusual form? I believe so.

*Charles Honess is a retired businessman who is biking across the southern United States, from Atlantic Beach, Florida, to San Diego, California, to raise awareness and funds for UMCOR. He plans to visit United Methodist churches and community groups along the way. For information about Honess’ trip and how your church or group might host him for such a sharing opportunity, please contact Landon Taylor, UMCOR executive in charge of church and donor relations, at telephone 212-870-3928 or email ltaylor@umcor.org.