But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to
show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.II Corinthians 4.7 ESV
Jars of clay was a fascinating concept even before the mid
1990's when a band took this for their name becoming familiar to households across
America, now for more than two decades.
Perhaps it is simply coincidence...then again it may be the
providence of God almighty Himself. On Friday November 25, 2016, I will have
the fortune for the second time in my life to be traveling 'across the pond' to
hold out this 'jar of clay' toward medical relief of a hurting people. In similar fashion, in 2004, as well the day after Thanksgiving, that
I began a journey to West Darfur, Sudan. Those who know me know the amazing
effect that it had in my life. One of many would be the fond relationship that
my brother Doctor Asabi and I continue to have till this day. But that is a
story for another time.
On Monday I received an email notification to travel with Team Rubicon to Greece. A member of TR now
for over four years, this will be my first international deployment as a medic. Thinking that my window of opportunity had past for the current
operation...let's just say that I was pleasantly and gratefully surprised.
So on November 25th this 'jar of clay' will deploy to
Greece, where large communities of Syrian refugees have become relocated. The mission,
called 'Operation Hermes', is to provide medical relief to a very hurting
people group. I look forward to working with my four other veteran team
members, to fulling our mission, to be a simple 'jar of clay', and who knows...relationships
built that will only have its beginning.
For years I have lived with the daily concept of, 'Who God
puts in my way'. Sometimes it is a conscious thought, but more often it simply (or
providentially) 'just' happens. That is, God puts someone or something 'in
my way'. So here I go...a 'jar of clay', let's just see 'who God puts in my way'
and allow "His surpassing power" to have its result.
Jan, always with her brilliant
smile, caught me going through her isle at Roth’s one afternoon 2 ½ years ago
while wearing my leather jacket. She says, “You ride a motorcycle”? She quickly
handed me a registration form, briefly explaining the ‘Oregon ABCity Tour’
concept. Though not exclusive to motorcycles, I can’t imagine a better way to
explore this amazing state of ours. Since that time I’ve been hooked.
Curt Frink wanted to take a
concept from other motorcycle clubs, but limit the journey solely through this
tenth largest state of the union, Oregon! They began with the letter ‘A’
thinking that they’d continue through the alphabet, but soon decided that each
year would be a random letter or letters. The ‘tour’ begins March 1st and completes the last day of September, providing abundant opportunity to
collect the sixty some odd cities and towns across our beautiful state. Participants
then provide their pictures of the particular town with their registration
number in the photo. The picture must include the name of the town, like a Post
Office, library, fire station, a church or business.
This year marks the first that
I’ve collected the entire group of selected towns less a couple that no longer
exist. The letters assigned for 2016 were ‘K’ and ‘N’. There are the familiar
names such Keizer, Klamath Falls, Nehalem and Newberg. Then there are those
that you’ve likely never heard of, or if you have, you wouldn’t have a clue of
their whereabouts. They include, Noti, Keating, New Bridge and New Idaho. And oh, did you know that we have a ‘Nashville’?
Yes it is!
Craig & I at the California boarder
With a bit of planning…the bike,
the gear, a friend (thanks Craig!) and route determined, all that remains is
the adventure. And what an adventure it has proven to be. When would anyone in
their right mind schedule a trip to ‘Vinson’, Oregon? Last year, with the
letters of J, U, V, Y and Z, that is exactly what I planned. The previous two
days had found me coming up short on discovering the old communities of ‘Umli’
and ‘Jonesborro’. While stopping at both John Day and Ukiah on my way to
Umatilla, I asked the question regarding Vinson.All were quite sure that Vinson no longer
existed. Not only does Vinson exist, the stop provided perhaps my greatest of
ABCity Tour stories.
Vinson is a one sign, one house,
one barn and one ‘un-named’ cemetery of a town, or rather spot on the map. What
was awesome about my stop was that as I approached there was also a yellow
school bus arriving at the same time. Stepping out of this bus would be 30 to
40 folks on tour with the Oregon Historical Society lead by two elderly
gentlemen that were quite knowledgeable about the history of Vinson and its
surrounding area. So here I was, assuming that I would likely strike out once
again. Not only did I not strike out, I received an unforeseen history lesson and
opportunity to listen to a five piece folk band as well. Oh, and yes I received
‘5’ points toward my ABCity goal :)
This year included great finds of
Norton, Oregon with their community library that stands 4 feet high, 3 feet wide and
a foot deep. Plus there was our stop at New Bridge and their pastor, who along
with an elderly Grange member, gave us more history lessons that we’ll soon not
forget, including the fact that our first Governor was from this community and
his wife was related to Chief Joseph. Part of the journey includes the search
for perhaps the most unusual community sign. One of the best this year would
have to be ‘North Howell’. A local nursery has purchased the old Mobil station
appliances with the flying Pegasus and two old pumps all beautifully
reconditioned. Sometimes you just happen upon the right sign. Such would be the
case of Keizer, Oregon. Likely with dozens of possible signs to capture a photo
of, I was able to find the old Keizer School, which happen to be celebrating
their 100th anniversary.
'North Howell's' Journey to another day...
Flying through Keating :)
When the season ends on September
30th, you have a couple weeks to send in your photos for the judges
to determine their eligibility. Then early in November we have a banquet in
order to experience the stories and pictures of one another and enjoy food specifically selected from the letters of the year’s tour. For example, Kiwi will likely be part of this years banquet. Beyond the meal, we also join together to bring
non-perishable food items and/or cash that is donated to Marion/Polk
Food Share. Riding has never had a better cause than giving to others. The selection of the annual
point’s winner is announced as well. Of course there’s no competition. Well…there
might just be a town or two that each of us keep as our 'Ace in the hole' per say, hoping that we
might have been the only one to find it. At times a treasure hunt for sure!
At 'Kingsley' Oregon with Miko - A Place to Die For
So there you have it. Oregon
ABCity Tour has surely become an annual part of my schedule. And I haven’t even
begun to touch on the beauty found while driving across highway 395 and the
Abert Range, or 47 through Vernonia and past Natal. I’m sure you’ve been up 205
(highway that is, not interstate) and driven into Fields to enjoy their ‘World
Famous Shakes’! Or most definitely you’ve ventured down Idaho 71 into the Snake
River canyon then connect with Oregon 86 and enjoyed the beauty of the valley’s
found near Halfway and Richland, Oregon. If you haven’t…then might I suggest
joining the Oregon ABCity Tour for 2017. If you’re like me…you’ll be glad you
did!
Johnny could of written this song about 'Oregon' for sure :)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to
show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. II Corinthians 4.7 ESV
