TESTIMONIES
By LARRY & WENDY Vander Plaats
IN the summer of 2018 , we were traveling with our CMA chapter , the Maranatha Riders , on our annual chapter trip . Larry was the road captain which means we were in charge of planning the trip and leading the group . We had a couple of minor issues with our trike along the way . We were at a gas stop in Wisconsin where two busy highways intersect . After gassing up , the trike would not start . Being the mechanic he is , Larry immediately started trying to figure out what was wrong . ( We always bring tools !)
After a trip to an auto parts store about 30 minutes away , the problem was still not fixed . By now we had been sitting at the gas station 2 + hours . Some in our group got out lawn chairs and snacks . They refused to leave us ! Even the gas station employees brought out crates for us to sit on and let us come in as often as we wanted to get out of the heat . We also were able to push the trike under the canopy as the gas pumps on the end were out of order .
Larry was able to figure out what was wrong and what part we needed , but there was nowhere close by that had it . A local guy offered to help out , but in the end that did not work out . We even looked into renting a truck or van to haul it home , but the cost would be in excess of $ 800 ! Finally we decided to call Cary Klatt , our State Coordinator , back in Iowa to see if he knew of anyone in the area through CMA that might be able to help us . Through a series of phone calls , we received a call from Del Dash who lived 45 minutes away . He had a good friend who had passed away that had the exact same kind of trike ! He offered to take the part we needed off the friend ’ s trike and bring it to us . At this point , we sent most of our group on to the hotel we would be staying at that night which was about 30-40 minutes away . When Del got there , Larry put the part on and the trike started right up ! With only a couple of minor adjustments , we were able to complete the rest of our trip and we got home safely !
We cannot thank Del and his wife enough . And to all who assisted us in getting back on the road ! By the way , Del and his wife refused compensation for their help . It is always frustrating when there is a breakdown . This was not our first time and most likely , not our last . It is hard to find the good when you are in the thick of it , but there was a lot of good in the experience . When we look back , we can clearly see that God was right there the whole time putting everything in place ! CMA
Larry and Wendy Vander Plaats are members of Maranatha Riders # 153 in Sheldon , Iowa .
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Lyle Herman March 27-28 Freedom Riders Bike Show Bismarck , ND
Bob Sandberg March 26-27 Utah SOR Sandy , UT
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Roger Wilson
13⎪March 2021⎪www . cmausa . org