I typically do not do two blog entries in a day. But this was an unusually good day, so it does warrant it.
I thought I would start this entry by just saying something like: The road was ahead of me, and above the horizon, pewter-grey clouds, dense and ominous, faced me, as I headed North. The summer heat was all around me, but then, a wave of cold air hit my face. I knew then, like I have known before in other trips, that a storm was about to pelt me.
JoeKrebs
All this is true, except it happened in the middle of Houston, and not some desert road between here and Alaska. It happened as I was in route to see Joe Krebs. This gentleman is a BMW master mechanic, who now works on communications systems in ships. I was referred to him by another gentleman, Fort Bend RIder from Two Wheeled Texans, as a very good independent mechanic. Joe offered to help me trouble shoot the clutch issues I had been noticing, and we had been trying to get this taken care of. When I made it to Joe’s house, his wife was doing the lawn and casually just waved me into the garage. Joe, matter of fact, just waved me into the garage and proceeded to replace the clutch fluid, and bleed the system. Along the way I assisted where I could, but more than anything, I felt like a kid in the candy store. It was fascinating to see Joe work, his knowledge of the system guiding his hands like an instinct, while he conversed about his experiences while traveled abroad. At the end, marveling at how different the clutch felt, I thanked Joe. He turned to me and said: “All that matters is that you get on your trip.”
Joe! This was a divine appointment. I am so grateful to have had you placed in my path. I pray we see each other again.
But the story does not end here. Earlier in the day, before it started raining, I came across a Rice University faculty member, whom I have now known for almost 20 years. I know it has been that long because our daughters started elementary school together. I saw her walking by, and I intended to stop her to ask her about a video system she has been using for teaching. However, since she is in my mailing list, the conversation turned to the trip and the fund raising. Before I knew it, she had reached into her purse and handed me some money, making it very clear that this was intended for fuel and food. A donation, she said, would be done separately. Immediately following that came a big hug, and a Godspeed.
This was indeed the kind of day that would come to happen when I meditated a couple of nights on the words of scripture, “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Joe Krebs was a Godsend for me, too. Met him a couple of years ago through an ad and contacted him before I bought my first project bike. He called the owner and gave me a detailed assessment of what it was going to take to restore the 1976 KZ900. Long story short, I got the bike and it was a train wreck; it came with a box of “parts”, was rusted throughout, and had not been started in 23 years. Took it to Joe, he had it running like new in a few days. He truly has a gift and level of experience that’s rare to find. Joe also charged much less than the Houston dealerships (who wouldn’t even touch a vintage bike), communicated with me throughout the process, and worked on my bike like it was his own.
What a Godsend! So glad to know your bike is heading out in tiptop shape! We’re praying for your trip.