What do you do as a kid in Nunapitchuk where there are no lawns to play? That is a million dollar question I never thought of when I first heard of Nunapitchuk. The first groups that came up here some years ago found out the answer and some time back one of the team members by the name of Joe came up with a way to connect with kids helping them do one of the things they love to do most:
RIDE BIKES ON THE BOARDWALK!!!
Let me tell you these kids love to ride and they ride the rubber off the tires! There are a few pretty bikes here and a few new bikes but most of them are in poor shape and are in need of repair. Many have been pieced together from stripped bikes that have been dumped in the bone yard of bone yards! If you have ever watched American Pickers- those guys would not find much with any "meat" in this bike bone yard of Nunapitchuk!
Joe, a bike rider himself came up with the idea of bringing a few tools, some oil, and a few parts along to help the kids out. Now they look for his arrival every year. It's like Christmas in June as the team arrives and the tired and weary bikes make their way down the boardwalks to where we are housed. It is a great kick off to the VBS program as well because before you know it everyone knows you are in the village! I was over whelmed. I have not pumped up so many tires in my entire life as I did in a hour at the bike jamboree! Everyone on the team got into the act in some way shape or form! here are some repair pictures for you to make you smile and make you thankful...
After what could be fixed was fixed, then more fun came as races and trick riding was set up for different ages and male and female. From riding on makeshift balance beams to speed laps to wheelie contests to limbo on bikes the kids showed their stuff even if it meant borrowing a bike from someone else!
One hand cone riding!
Ride the beam!
How low can you go?
Time for wheelies!!
This young man ran that wheelie the entire length of the boardwalk and stopped only as it T'ed. What a ride!
Off to the races!
The boy with on the right side did not want a 911 number so he came up with a simple fix- flip it! 116
A special thanks to Joe's bike club as they donated inter tubes, pumps, gloves, water bottles, tire gauges, handle bar grips, some peddles and a host of other things to fix bikes this year. It was greatly appreciated and warmly received by these kids!
Next up: a chance to talk to teens and young adults about suicide!
Blessings All!
~Pastor Andy
Next up: a chance to talk to teens and young adults about suicide!
Blessings All!
~Pastor Andy
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