CMA HeartBeat November 2021 | Page 20

the last morning of the

2021 Pennsylvania State Rally , 14 CMA members from four different chapters began their trek home on eight motorcycles and one car . The teachings over the weekend focused on being sent out , planting , watering , and being watchful for the many divine appointments that God has in store for us , to spread the Gospel , and grow His Kingdom . With those reminders fresh in our minds , we left about 15 minutes earlier than planned . The weather was lovely . We looked forward to the divine appointments , the 6-8 hours of riding , and the last few sips of fellowship before returning to the usual weekday routine . The first rest stop provided , of course , the first divine appointment – a fellow on a bright yellow trike . It just so happened the CMA group also included a bright yellow trike , so the conversation starter was easy . Some members talked with the man and lifted his spirits .

The next stop was to get fuel of both kinds – gas and food . It just so happened one member of the group had gone past this restaurant / fuel stop before , and it always looked busy , so it must be good , right ? It had a nice wide parking area , good for our trikes and bikes with trailers . As the bikes fueled up , the member driving the car happened to notice a pickup pulling a large trailer off to the side – with the hood up . The car driver went over to the troubled truck and asked if he could help . Just as he was getting ready to call another CMA member who had a shop nearby , one of the group ’ s riders , who had finished fueling up , also walked over asking if he could help . It just so happened that rider was a mechanic , who worked on large trucks . He got the truck drivers permission to look under the truck , asked his wife to hold his vest , and under the truck he went . By that time , the rest of the group had finished fueling up , and we were all gathered around the ailing pickup truck – but we weren ’ t actually helping at that point . Our attention was quite taken by the full-sized carved fireman figure strapped upright in the back of the truck . While the CMA mechanic worked under the truck , the owner of the truck placed an American flag in the “ hands ” of the carved figure … quite moving , given the expression on the carving ’ s face . We could also see some carved items through the open doors of the trailer . It turns out the owner of the truck was a chainsaw carver on his way to a fair , and his truck wouldn ’ t start after fueling up . He had been waiting for a friend to meet him to figure out what they were going to do . The group asked the driver and his wife if they minded if we prayed over the situation , and they were very receptive . They even made sure the circle of prayer wasn ’ t broken , by the driver placing his hand on the mechanic ’ s leg , as he was still working under the truck . While the mechanic continued to work away , the rest of us talked with the driver and his wife , explaining what

CMA was and what we do . We gave them a pamphlet for reference ( since they were from a different area of Pennsylvania than any of us ).

Just moments after praying , the mechanic completed his work and the truck started . We all cheered and praised God loudly ! The driver / carver was so excited . He then dug around in the big trailer , pulled out a few smaller items , then finally a beautifully carved eagle , between 3 and 4 feet high . We thought he was just showing it to us , but he wanted to give it to us for all the help and support we provided ! ( Perhaps he thought we were all from the same chapter and had a clubhouse ?) Astounding ! (…. and good thing there was a car in the group !) We tried to refuse the gift , knowing he was giving away a part of his livelihood , but he would not take no for an answer . While we were all admiring the eagle , we also looked at the other smaller items and one of the other members recognized the style . Turns out the CMA member had purchased a smaller item from that carver at a local fair not too long ago – another connection ! We discovered the couple were Christians and so blessed by what we were doing . They had not heard nor seen any group that would minister in that way . The group gravitated to the men checking out the collection of power saws in the trailer , and the women chatting with the wife . The wife then shared a prayer need , regarding her grandpa ’ s health . We prayed again ,