I am the asker of the Stupid Question

The is a blog in response to passing through the town of Kremmling,CO. So i stayed in Kremmling a few nights ago, it was a tough night for me to deal with. Much of the factor of that was pretty much the people that i encountered. As many of you know part of this journey is the stepping out and asking folks if i could camp in their front yard or something. Well when i was passing through Kremmling there was a winter weather advisory out until 6 am the next morning, and a snow storm brewing. The few nights before i was graced to have been found or found strangers who hospitably and welcomely let me into their homes and let me sleep on a bed or inside a house so that i wouldnt have to deal with the weather that much. So i sought out to find shelter inside the night i rolled into Kremmling. First i rolled around trying to find a church or two. i had found one called the number and got a number to the cell phone of the pastor. i wrote down the number, and a man drove by and parked and started to let his dog out and was kicking around the yard. I thought i would ask him if i could crash on his floor or something. So i approached, i think i usually try to explain what im doing, and why im riding and what not, but i figured its kind of obvious im riding my bike across america and didnt really mention any of that.
So i said something like this, " Excuse me sir," his dog hops over this measly net fence toward me all i could do was pet his dog and ignore him. I continued " This may be a stupid question, or you may think it is one, and you may or may not want to do this, but.... I was wondering if i could crash on your floor, or couch or something."

"No! That's a stupid question! I don't know you for nothin! That's the stupidest question ive ever heard, i dont know if anyone would ever......"

"Well, ive asked some folks and theyve let me sleep inside...its not that stupid of a question"

"It's a stupid question"
........
i moved on. i ended up callin the pastor of that one church he said that the church was going to be occupied till later that night, and that i could check the motel to see if there was a room available and if there was that i could get them to call him and he would pay the bill. It was almost as if he didnt want to really deal with me but to deal with what i wanted and to be done with me.
I decided to see whatelse was out there went to another church, and the pastors house was attached to the church. he pretty much wanted to do the same thing, and i really didnt want anyone to spend any money, and wanted to really just sleep on the floor of a church or house. The pastor ended up grumbly fudding around and letting me into the basement to sleep. he was definatley in a hurry and quickly left me to myself.

That whole experience was odd. i was grateful to be inside, but quite disturbed, by people, but mostly by the church. I was disgusted at how many of us who are the church can so easily pass people off, and often grumbly "meet needs" if you can call it that. That we often dont spend the time with people to really understand and meet their needs, and not just try to cure things with money like a rich dad and a spoiled child.

As far as the stupid question, I will continue to ask stupid questions. If we cease to ask them we will cease to be fostering a learning, creative and challenging environment. We will become grumpy old people when we say youre question is stupid! Grumpy old people are no FUN!

well i think thats the end of this note. im in Ordway, Colorado, heading to Tribune, Kansas tomorrow. peace outside

Flip-flops in the Snow

So i am in Breckenridge, Colorado, i took the day off and i am staying at the Fireside inn, in a hostel bed. It was a beautiful day, there was snow melting and the sun was glistening. You can feel the warmth of the sun when you were exposed and shivered when in the shade. I went to a church this morning, Agape Outpost, they had a bbq (grilling) lunch. For those true bbq'ers out there a lot of people dont understand the difference between grilling and bbq'ing. I dearly miss some Maddy's Ribshack out in decatur,ga. Their potato salad is quite awesome as well. Anyways, so i went there and met some awesome folks. Some of them were from denver and work with confluence. They seem to be pretty awesome and have a cool dream and vision for their community.

Something to address.....So i have no clue who really reads any of this, which is ok. But i know that some of ya'll who are out there, who don't really know me well, are probably thinking that i talk about "church" or ministries a lot and probably wonder whats up with that. Well I am a Christian, that means i believe in Jesus Christ his teachings and that the Bible is truth. This means i try my best to follow Jesus's footsteps in being different living as a servant, helping the poor and needy which is everyone. When i was talking to a new friend Harlan from Virginia City,MT he said something like "So you want people to start taking Christianity more seriously." I answered YES. Christianity has gotten obliterated, by our stupidness and traditionality. That many often think that being a christian is a combo or one of these qualifications 1. one who goes to church 2.grew up in a christian home 3. That they were baptized. Where in all actuality being a Christian is being a "little Jesus" Being a follower of "The Way." "The Way" is the way Jesus lived his life. Taking care of himself so that he may Love others the most, and eventually dying to give us life, and to set us free from working our way to heaven, so that we can experience real life on earth. So my concern, is that some may think of the Bikes4Indo project as a "mission." As in serving to advance Christianity. It's not in the root of the project. I am a believer so it will bleed out somehow just as much as it hopefully shows already. But im not really one to convert, but i am one who is called to love and meet the needs of those who need it because that is what Jesus did. If you reject christianity, or god as a whole, thats totally fine with me. its you're life, and you're choice. Jesus never forced the faith amongst anyone, he just loved those who needed loving which is really all of us if we face the facts of life. I am sure some of this is probably a little vague, so if you got questions, or want more explaination shoot me an e-mail or comment. im a bit tired, but wanted to get a post up before i left tomorrow. So, im gonna goto bed now. i hope all of you are doing well, i miss me some country ham and hashbrown casserole.

i did buy some flip flops so ive been wearing those around in the snow!
It looks like my plane ticket is could cost between $1300-$1800... Thats going to rock to pay.

alright im going to bed. night and i'll count the bison to sleep.