Sturgis 2024 Mount Rushmore

The last time we saw this location, it was all fogged up

But this time. . . .

Our objective was just to walk around and have conversations with people as we passed out tracts

We also enjoyed actually seeing more of the mountain, as you can see

Since this guy didn't have his wife with him, his roommate (Len) had to pose with him for pictures

We had a chance to pray with 2 people.  One, after he saw the tracts we handed out, came to us and asked for prayer.  The other was a performer at the park in full native american dress.  But he also called us up to him after his speech and showed us his jewish/Christian prayer shawl he wears under his uniform.  Notice the verses embroidered onto the shawl.  We got to pray and encourage him, too.

The ride actually was pretty fun.

And we were ready for lunch at this little place along the side of the road.  Instead of drinks for happy hour, it served PIE from 2-4pm with a free beverage.  YUM!

Sucker Punched 👊

I have to insert this story because it took a miracle.  At the end of one evening, Len and I rode up to the house to go to bed, and ended up falling off the bike as we stopped near the driveway (gravity + extra weight on top + slow speed=boom)

Now, anyone who talks to me about this knows that I do not like the motorcycle.  I TOLERATE the motorcycle, because my husband loves it.  It is for just that reason, the dangerous side of riding, that I rarely relax while riding.  So, falling off the bike does not increase my comfort level.  I had to seriously battle my mind, recognizing that I was "not wrestling against flesh and blood" (See Ephesians 6:12), and that this was the evil one trying to dissuade me from riding the next day (which happened to be an all day ride planned for us). As I came to the point of surrender to My God, this fabulous display of HIS power started across the sky.

Yet another reminder Who was ultimately in control.  He also gave me a verse, Isaiah 41:10, that was my comfort:  

fear not, for I am with you;

    be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The word that stuck out to me?  UPHOLD!!

The next morning with a prayer and a step of faith, I got back on the motorcycle and had a victory ride!

(I also made Len go for a test run with a friend before I got on in case something was damaged.  They were confident and stopped to be tourists on the way back)

Sturgis 2024 The Cross Walk

The cross walk is just that--walking 3 crosses down main street of Sturgis, and doing street preaching at each time it stops

A pep talk before the actual walking

And, here we go!  Stop one in front of a populated bar

This lady can PREACH!

The cross walk ends up changing the people walking with it just as much as the people seeing it happen.  Especially the actual cross bearers

It was a warm walk, but it was good

The after team!

Sturgis 2024 Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon

What an incredible sight to wake up to with this double rainbow right over the town of Sturgis!

This was our day to head up the road a piece and hand out tracts in a nearby area.  

Action shot of Len and I

Nacho the jeep. . .notice the Hellfighter sticker in the window

Ok, so we sneak in a little fun on the way...

...both of us...

In Deadwood, we got to pray for a man from Vancouver, BC, that ended up being interested in starting a Hellfighter unit in his area.  We prayed with him, and later on in the week he showed up at the mission, forgoing tickets to see a big name artist, in order to have fellowship with us.

Our chat took too long and we ended up driving by this waterfall instead of stopping at it.  Not bad for an action shot from a moving motorcycle!

Sturgis 2024 Gas Give-away

This year we were asked to participate in the gas give away.  How this works is a donated amount gets pre-paid for 2 gas pumps, and we then hold up signs for free gas for bikers.  As they fill, the gospel is shared with each of them, and if they want to talk further, they are pulled aside for more in-depth conversation.  

Since we arrived late to the party because we handed off at Full Throttle first, we were released to get some lunch downtown.

I caught this special moment. . .more on that photo later.

As we walked around, we met up with a vendor that had been introduced to us on Sunday who knew of Hellfighters from her area in Virginia.  She called us back in to pray with her about a friend who had been in a serious accident and broken his neck.  Len had a special moment with the vendor's son, who had down's syndrome.  We then headed back to relieve the workers

I love the ladies of the Hellfighters.  They're some of my favorites

Sturgis 2024 Behind the Scenes

It takes an army to run the main headquarters for us in Sturgis.  The cook team is amazing

And they'll let anybody help!!

I especially love how they come alongside those who come to the mission for help and get them involved in the serving.  It teaches them to love on others from the get go.

Then there's the servant leaders that work behind the scenes to keep things tidy

They are beautiful people inside and out

These guys come up early and stay late to get the mission ready for business, then close it down for next year.  They are amazing.

Our own Micky keeps everyone organized about who is going where to do what kind of service.

We are also grateful for friends who know how to fix bikes!  We thought we were out of commission for the morning one day when our bike was having issues, and within 45 mins were back on track

I even helped on another bike!  Trust me, he was the surgeon, I was the nurse.