Wheel Chair Distribution Update

I spoke with Woody briefly on the phone this morning. He’s home from Guatemala and told me that the wheel chair distribution went well.

Wheel Chair Distribution

My boss, Woody, left for Guatemala this morning. He and our man in Guatemala, Dennis, will be providing logistical support for a Joni and Friends wheelchair distribution team.

Please pray for a great trip.

Bruce White
Vine International, P.O. Box 52086, Knoxville TN 37950
www.vineinternational.org

Snow

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The highlands of east Tennessee received some snow last night, up to four inches in some places. But alas, only rain here in the valley.

Arizona Ride

I've posted photos of my Arizona ride on my blog. You can check it out at http://bodegabikes.blogspot.com/

Shipping News

The container left from our collection center at about 12:30 PM on Saturday. It should be in Guatemala by the end of next week. Please pray that customs doesn't take too long. The last one took four weeks.

Woody tells me that MAP International is putting together another entire container of just medicines for us. What a blessing! It will be just one of the many containers that are sent to our distribution center in Guatemala that never pass through our warehouse in Tennessee. We'll also be importing a container of 200 wheelchairs for Joni and Friends Wheels for the World before the year is out, and the next container that we'll ship from our collection center should be ready to sail by the end of November.

Sunday, Oct. 5, I'll leave for Arizona for two weeks of ministry and fun, so if you send me a message or e-mail don't expect a reply for a while.

Bruce White
Vine International, P.O. Box 52086, Knoxville TN 37950
www.vineinternational.org

Shipping date changed.

Hurricane Ike disrupted shipping in the Gulf and the Dole banana boat has been running two days late ever since. We are now planning to ship on Saturday, Oct. 4.

As a result, I will now leave for Arizona on Sunday, Oct. 5.

Next Shipment

The next shipment of medical supplies and equipment to Guatemala is booked to leave on Thursday, October 2. This container will include mostly items for general distribution, with only a few designated items. The ship sails on Monday, Oct. 6.

On Oct. 4 I leave for Arizona. I'll be out of the "bodega" (and away from my computor) for 2 weeks.

Please pray for a speedy trip for the container, and a safe trip for me. Go to "Bodega and Bikes" for details about my Arizona trip.

Grace Online

Very rarely, but sometimes, I post my personal opinions on theological matters on my web log and a few online forums that I belong to. I love a good theological debate with folks who see Scripture from a different perspective. It can be a great learning experience. Unfortunately, not everyone is wired like I am. Some folks are more emotional than I, and some see doctrines that I would consider debatable as incontrovertible. When I say “Unity in the essentials, liberty in the non-essentials, charity in all things,” someone might respond, “There are no non-essentials!” Perhaps if I were close to such a person, and could walk through life with him/her, my life and love might have a positive effect over time, but little is ever gained by starting a public long distance debate.

The key is relationship. The closer I am to someone, the more likely I am to be able to have a theological debate that is mutually edifying.

Most of the people we meet online we will never meet face to face this side of eternity. Our relationship will never be very close, and many who read our post are total strangers. We come from a broad range of backgrounds and Biblical traditions. We cannot fully know the heart of our closest friend, much less the folks we meet online. Here we can only share our words with one another. We will never be as close to those here as we are to those we share our lives with day to day. So, in order to not offend casual acquaintances and strangers, I try not to bring up controversial subjects online, and when/if I respond to a post I try to do so with love and respect. I’ve seen folks get belligerent and/or hurt on-line, and it‘s unfortunate. I choose carefully who I debate with, and when I read something on-line that I do not agree with I try to learn whatever I can from that person and move on, not allowing myself to be offended. After all, I may be wrong, and only the Holy Spirit can change my heart and mind.

Please try to be polite and respectful to those you meet online.

If you disagree with what I’ve just written, I am not offended. I hope you will extend to me the grace to be wrong.

Next Shipment

Very busy with the next shipment. No time to blog.

Next Shipment

Our next container will sail the first week in October. The next three weeks will be very busy for me.

Me new Web Logs

Since this web log has gotten cluttered with so much non-Vine related stuff I’ve decided to start two other blogs. See “My Blog List” to view those sites. I’ve also added a “Subscribe to” option for your convenience.

Riverside Baptist Church in Fourmile KY

Container Arrived

Dennis Rice announced in his blog that the container of medical supplies and equipment that we shipped on July 13 arrived at our “bodega” in Guatemala on August 13. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Not Much

Not much going on. Working in the bodega preparing the next load to Guatemala. Melissa and I are riding the Bonnie to my mothers this weekend.

Devil's Triangle

On July 25, 26, and 27 I attended the Devil’s Triangle Motorcycle Rally at Grey Wolf Campground on Hwy. 116 in Anderson County, TN. There were some great food vendors on hand, as well as vendors selling leathers and jewelry. A mini chopper was given away, and the raffle tickets were a mere one dollar. Live music was provided by two bands, Burden and Steam Shovel, and since I am a former member of Steam Shovel, I was invited to sing a few songs with them. Steam Shovel’s newest member, Johnny Cool, did a great job on lead vocals and guitar, and even performed a couple of solo acoustic sets. “Air Angus” did a tribute to AC/DC, playing “air guitar” in full costume on a stage that included a light show and fog machine. At night campfires dotted the landscape, and the owner (Odie) even provided a few fireworks. On Saturday there was a bike show, and four trophies were awarded.

The only drawbacks were the rain that canceled the bike rodeo, and the very small turnout. I fear Odie may have lost his shirt on this one.

The Devil’s Triangle is a fantastic ride with great scenery and many curves and switchbacks. The ride alone is worth the trip to Grey Wolf. The next rally will be a 4-wheeler event on September 26, 27 & 28. The next Devil’s Triangle Motorcycle Rally will be October 24, 25 & 25. I plan to be there, and I hope you will be too. Check out their web site at greywolfcampground.com.

The “People’s Choice” trophy went to this beautiful Harley.

Johnny Cool


Mini Chopper

Click on images to view full size.

New Link Added

If you want to be blessed check out Rocky Mountain Radio under my links. Rocky Mountain Ministries Internet Radio features grace oriented music & talk featuring the music of Don Francisco, Wendy Francisco, Mike Banta, Annie Brooks and many more!

Shipping News

The container shipped on schedule. PTL! I hope to have the next one ready to go before the end of September.

SHIPPING NEWS

That date for our next shipment to Guatemala has changed - again. The trucking company could not pick up on Friday, so now we are shipping on Sunday (July 13). They assure us that the container will be on the ship; which sails on Monday.

At 11:30pm on July 3 we began lining up for what is billed as America’s earliest 4th of July parade. My wife and I joined other Patriot Guard Riders who turned out with over 20 motorcycles for this midnight tradition in Gatlinburg TN. We were honored to ride behind the five floats that represented the four branches of our armed forces and the Gold Star Moms. It was a thrill to be part of this great celebration of freedom.

To see a great video about the Patriot Guard scroll down to “Links” and click on “Why be a Patriot Guard.”

Shipping News - Date Change

Regarding my pervious post, we've had to push back our ship date for the next load of medical supplies and equipment to Guatemala. The new date is July 10 or 11. I can breath again! Thanks for your continued prayers for this ministry. BLESSINGS!

Shipping News - Vine International

We have scheduled a date for our next shipment to Guatemala. It is July 3. As usual, I am very behind and will be putting in some long hours this week as I make final preparations. PLEASE PRAY for focus and stamina. THANKS!!!

Inspiration Riders

Our praise band from the Inspiration Riders (CMA) played five times this weekend; three times at the Honda Hoot in Knoxville and twice at the motorcycle trials event at Hickory Hills (just outside Lenoir City). We had a few technical difficulties, but all went well otherwise. It was a very busy weekend, but a LOT of fun.

Personal News

Being in two bands was too time consuming, so I’ve resigned from Steam Shovel. I’m still in the Inspiration Riders praise band. We’re performing five times this weekend. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning we will play at the Honda Hoot at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville. Saturday night and Sunday morning we play at the motorcycle trials event in Loudon County (Location: 922 Highway 70 West).

Monday, June 16, is our monthly Inspiration Riders chapter meeting. Everyone is welcome. Location: Knoxville Harley-Davidson on Lovell Road. Third floor in the HOG room. Meeting starts at 7:pm.

Prayer Request

Please pray for my friend Rick. He has cancer. I don't know a lot of details. He's on cemo. He also has diabetes and heart problems. He and his wife Kay have two children, Clay (age 8), and Holly (14). Rick has one grown daughter from a previous marriage. They're like family to us.

The good news is that they are all believers. Should the Lord choose to take Rick home we all know that we will see him again.

Melissa and I are going to Chattanooga this weekend to be with them. Please pray for our trip, and that we can be a blessing to them.

TENT REVIVAL; update w/photo

By “Bodega” Bruce White
[May 10, 2008] We had a great turn out for the Tent Revival sponsored by the Trinity Warriors (Athens TN chapter, CMA). There were about 100 people in attendance. We had a lot of great music, which included the band from our own Inspiration Riders, a traditional string band from Chattanooga, a husband and wife duet, and the “one man band” of Mike Crofts of “Step of Faith Ministries.” After the music the President of the Trinity Warriors, Alan Bohannon, delivered the message. Food and fellowship followed.

Thank you, Trinity Warriors, for inviting the Inspiration Riders to be part of this great event.
[Visit the Trinity Warriors on-line at http://cmaser6.org/TN/trinitywarriors ]

A RIDE TO REMEMBER

By “Bodega” Bruce White

Is it too early to be planning a ride for October? Not if your destination is ARIZONA!

On October 12, Living Water Ministries and Naco Baptist Church of Arizona will host their First Annual Biker Sunday, and we’re all invited.

“Spider” Tom and I will leave on Saturday, October 4. We plan to visit the Grand Canyon on the way out and arrive in Naco on or around October 9. Pastor Tim Scarbrough (who spoke at the Inspiration Riders chapter meeting in May) plans for us to visit some of the Biker hang outs in and around Naco to invite folks to come out for Biker Sunday. Pastor Tim has also offered to put us up in the Church, where they have a kitchen and showers. There may even be a short ride into old Mexico. On the way home we’ll stop in Hatfield Arkansas for the annual “Changing of the Colors” rally (Oct. 15-19).

Come ride with us. You don’t have to be an Inspiration Rider to join us for all or part of this ride. The plan is to ride about six hundred miles a day and stay in cheap motels at night. It’s going to be a great adventure, so change that oil, grease up that chain (if you’ve got ‘em), air out the sleeping bag, and join us for the ride of a lifetime!

If you would like to ride with us, or if you have questions, write to Inspiration Riders News, P.O. Box 344, Louisville, TN, 37777.

[Ride at your own risk. DOT helmet, motorcycle license, and insurance required for all riders. Cages welcome. You’re responsible for all your own expenses. To learn more about Living Water Ministries go to http://www.livingwateraz.com/ ]

Tent Revival Update

The tent revival in Athens TN was a great time of praise and fellowship. Thank you, Trinity Warriors, for hosting this event.

TENT REVIVAL

This weekend I’ll be singing with the Inspiration Riders at a tent revival in Athens, TN. Your prayers for this event are requested. Come out and join the fun.

“Unity, Liberty, and Love”

“Unity, Liberty, and Love”
An editorial by Bruce White

Often we Christians disagree about what the Bible means by what it says, as well as about how we should respond to it. That’s only natural. After all, none of us knows the mind of God fully. None of us understands the Gospel perfectly. None of us has all knowledge and understanding. All of us are learning and growing, and we will never understand all things fully this side of Glory. Some things in the Bible are clearly understood, and some are not. Scripture itself tells us that, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” [1 Cor. 13:12] Someday when we meet God “face to face” we will see how wrong we’ve been about many things, and we’ll also see those times when we got it right. Until then we should be humbled in the knowledge that we don’t know everything.

To disagree and debate is normal, and I would even say that it is healthy. A pastor friend once told me, “I’m glad that my congregation doesn’t agree with everything I say. It proves that they are thinking.” I learned a lot from that man, but there is still much that we do not agree on. We debated often, but always with love and respect.

I pray that we as Christians would always feel free to debate, and that we would always do so with love and respect for one another. The give and take of a good debate is a great learning tool that should not be disregarded.

It’s been said about the Christian faith that we should have “unity in the essentials; liberty in the non-essentials, and love in all things." We should always stand together on the clear teachings of Scripture, but please don’t be offended when someone disagrees with you over some doctrine that the Church has been debating for centuries. Defend your beliefs, but don’t vilify one another. None of us are perfect, so allow others the “liberty” to disagree with you. After all, they may be right.

News from Guatemala

Dennis Rice, Vine’s distribution manager in Guatemala, has updated his weblog. Scroll down to “Links” and click on “Vine Guatemala” to read the latest news from the South End of the Pipline.

Guatemala Mission Teams Return

I just learned that the Vine medical team and the Joni and Friends wheelchair distribution team returned home safe and sound from their mission trip to Guatemala. Thanks be to God for a good trip.

Monday Update

No news is good news from the teams in Guatemala.

I’m trying to fight off some kind of respiratory malady that came on me last Friday.

Vine Medical & Joni and Friends Mission Trip

At 6:00AM this morning I delivered about 340 pounds of medical supplies to McGhee Tyson Airport to a group of eager missionaries. As I write this, Vine International’s eleven member medical team is going through the check-in process and are about to embark on the first leg of their mission trip to Guatemala. The team is headed by Vine’s founder, Woody Woodson, and our Medical Director, Dr. Bruce Allsop.

Vine’s medical team will be traveling and working with a wheelchair distribution team from the Knoxville chapter of Joni and Friends. While Joni and Friends sees to the needs of the handicapped, our medical team will see to the needs of the sick, and all will be sharing the loving Gospel of Christ.

Please pray for our combined teams as they work and travel around Guatemala. They will return home on Friday, May 9.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

“Bodega” Bruce White

Devil’s Triangle Motorcycle Rally

The rally went well, though the crowd was smaller than expected. Steam Shovel performed Friday and Saturday. We made a lot of mistakes, but no one seemed to notice. After the show we got a lot of positive feedback from the campers, the vendors, and even the other band that played after us.

The CMA held services on Sunday morning. By the time we got the band set up most of the rally goers had left. It began to rain just before we started the service, so most of those who were still there listened from their tents. I sang lead with the Inspiration Riders Band. “Spider” Tom played bass, Dick Anderson played guitar, and Bob Winter played drums. Lonnie Craig delivered a steering message and gave an invitation, which received no response.

On Saturday one of our Inspiration Riders, Wendell Connor, went off the road on one of the many hairpin turns. The following is from e-mails I received about Wendell.

Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:41:31 “Hi, warriors. I just left St. Mary’s North about an hour ago. Our brother Wendell Conner had the unfortunate experience of going down hard on 116 this afternoon. He has a concussion, and three broken bones in his right hand and wrist. He also has a very deep gash in his right hand and several gashes in his right leg.”

Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:55:39 “I’ve already talked to Kim Conner this morning. Wendell was sent home last night around midnight. He’s very sore and in a lot of pain. Doris and I are taking lunch to them in a little while and I’ll have an additional update for you later this afternoon. Continue to remember them both in your prayers. Wendell was “blessed” to go off into a fresh vegetable garden where the soil was very soft.”

Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:33:26 “Wendell is very sore and in quite a bit of pain. He’s “obeying” Miss Kim well. He goes to KOC tomorrow for evaluation of the breaks in his right hand and wrist. His left hand, along with most of the rest of his body, is badly bruised and that makes holding anything difficult.”

Please pray for a speedy recover, and thank God that it was not more serious.

On a more personal not; I went home every night during the rally, and I had a blast carving the Devil’s Triangle on my Bonnie. I’m no daredevil by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love a winding country road.

Me and my Bonnie

I just wanted to share a picture of me taken during Daytona Bike Week. Click on it for a bigger image.

VINE INTERNATIONAL

Vine International will have a medical team leaving for Guatemala on May 1 (headed by Woody Woodson and Dr. Bruce Allsop) to work along side the Joni and Friends wheelchair distribution team. Please pray for them. It’s never too early to begin praying for their health, safety, and witness. I’ll remain home.

INSPIRATION RIDERS

The Inspiration Riders (Knoxville chapter of the CMA) has started a praise band called simply, “The Inspiration Riders.” We have Dick Anderson on guitar and backup vocals, Bob Winter on drums, “Spider Tom” Case on bass and backup vocals, and I sing.

We’ll be playing before the CMA’s Sunday morning service at the Devils Triangle Motorcycle Rally at Grey Wolf Campground on April 27. The service starts at 9:00AM. Our speakers will be Lonnie Greg and Sandi Fatow.

Please pray that many will come to know the Lord during this evangelistic outreach.

To learn more about the rally go to greywolfcampground.com.

STEAM SHOVEL

Start with a little Lynyrd Skynyrd, throw in some ZZ Top, add some Fabulous Thunderbirds and a healthy dollop of Muddy Waters, sprinkle in some Eagles, mix well, and what do you get? Steam Shovel.

“HUH?!”

That’s right. Steam Shovel is an old school R&B band that I recently joined. We’ve been practicing for a few months now and have our first gig this weekend at the Devils Triangle Motorcycle Rally at Grey Wolf Campground. We’ll perform Friday and Saturday sometime after 2:00PM each day.

“What’s a nice Christian boy doing in that kind of band” you may ask? Well, as the late great Larry Norman said, “I know that Jesus saved my soul, but I still like to listen to the radio.” He also said, “There’s nothing wrong with playing blues licks.” This kind of music is just plain fun. It’s music about the human condition. Besides, to reach a lost and dying world we need to show them that we can identify with them. Hardcore bikers don’t identify with starched white shirts and hymn music.

The band is Chuck “Guitar” McCrosky on electric guitar, the “Great and Powerful Tony” on drums, “Spider Tom” Case on bass and backup vocals, and yours truly on vocals.

“Spider Tom” and I are both CMA members and will be wearing our colors on stage. If the crowd likes our music maybe they’ll be more willing to hear what we have to say about spiritual matters after the show.

The CMA will be well represented at this rally. Pray for witnessing opportunities.

To learn more about the rally go to greywolfcampground.com.

GOOD NEWS FROM GUATEMALA

The container of medical supplies that we shipped on Friday, March 28, has cleared customs and arrived at our “bodega” in Guatemala on Friday, April 11. Two weeks door to door is better than we had hoped for. My thanks to everyone who prayed for a swift passage.

This forty foot container contained medicine and nutritional supplies that our medical team will need when they arrive on May 1. Our team will be working along side a Joni and Friends wheelchair distribution team for about a week. Please pray for the teams as they prepare to minister in the name of Jesus to some of the most impoverished people of Guatemala.

Bodega Bruce

P.S. I will remain at home to continue working on the next container, which is scheduled to ship in mid June.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers. The container left for Guatemala on time Friday and should be at sea sometime today (Monday). This load includes supplies for our medical team which will be in Guatemala the first week in May, a dozen medical exam tables, 58 wheelchairs for Bethel Ministries International, supplies for Hospital Shalom Peten, and hundreds of other items for distribution to anyone in need from our "bodega" in Guatemala.

Now it's time for me to start working on the next load, which should be ready to sail sometime in May.

THANKS for your prayers and support.
Bodega Bruce

Check out the Links (below right) to visit our Vine Guatemala blog site, Hospital Shalom, and Bethel.

Vine International: Ministry Prayer Request

I just found out that our shipping date for the next container of medical supplies to Guatemala is March 28. This caught me a little off guard, as I was hoping to have another week. (I’m glade I went to Daytona, but part of me wishes I could have that time back.) Vine has a medical team going on May 1, and we have medicines in our “bodega” (warehouse) that they will need. It can take 3-4 weeks to clear customs, so shipping on the 28th is our only option.

Recently I saw “WWJWD?” That stands for “What Would John Wayne Do?” The “Duke” would hunker down and get the job done no matter what, and that’s what I’ll do. I’ll be working long hours over the next 9 days, including Easter. Please pray for my stamina.

Bodega Bruce

Shipping News

So far this year Vine has imported 3 containers into Guatemala. One came from our “bodega” in Tennessee, one from Samaritan’s Purse, and one from MAP International. We hope to have another one ready to ship from our “bodega” in a few weeks, and Joni and Friends of Knoxville is working on a container of wheelchairs. Vine has partnered with Joni and Friends since the day they opened their Knoxville office, and has handled the importation of all their wheelchairs into Guatemala. 2008 is off to a great start, thanks to all our great supporters! You can click on the Vine International link (below right) to visit our home page.

Daytona Bike Week

Ministering at Daytona
By Bruce White

This year a few Inspiration Riders went to Daytona Bike Week. Bike Week can be a lot of fun, but the main reason you’ll see us there is for ministry. We long to share the Gospel of Jesus with others, to lend a hand at biker events, or just be a friend when we see someone in need.

One evening a few of us met a waitress who I’ll call Angie, (not her real name). Angie is a single mother of two, and has known some hard times for someone so young. She told us that her oldest son asked her recently, “Who is Jesus?” Her son’s question touched her heart. She felt like he needed to know who Jesus was and she enrolled him in Sunday School at a local Church.

We were able to share the Gospel with Angie and offer her some encouragement. She was eager to listen and promised to teach what we had shared to her children. We left her a tract to help her on her journey of knowing Christ, and I pray that Angie will take to heart what she heard from us.

Opportunities like this one are what the CMA member lives for. What a joy it was to share the love of God with Angie. That’s why we ware the patch, and that’s why we go to events like Daytona Bike Week.

When you see us wearing the CMA patch, ask us why we wear it. We won’t preach at you, we’ll just tell you that Jesus loves us, and He wants you to know that He loves you, too.”

THE RIDE HOME
By Bruce White

All good things must come to an end, so on Saturday, March 8, I began my ride home from Daytona. The Interstate system is a great way to get where you’re going fast, but let’s face it, it’s BORING! For my ride home I decided to take the US Highways and see a little of our great country. Here’s a few of the things that I saw that I would have missed if I had taken the Interstate.

One thing you’ll not find off the next exit is Gram’s Kitchen. The food was fantastic, and the walls were covered with motorcycle memorabilia and painted saw blades.

In south Georgia I discovered the roadside grave of one of our southern heroes, 1st LT Elias Whiddon, CSA, 1838-1865. As I continued north I passed Texas Longhorn cattle ranches, Bison ranches, pecan groves, and peach orchards. I saw Canadian geese on ponds covered with lilies, and American flags flying from front porches. I rode through small town squares with red brick courthouses and monuments to Confederate soldiers, and passed many a cotton field.

Riding the back roads takes longer, but if you love to ride there’s nothing like slowing down to smell the chicken ranch.

Happy riding, and I’ll see you on the back roads.

Daytona

On February 29 I’ll be riding my “Bonnie” [Triumph Bonneville] to Daytona Beach to minister with the CMA among the bikers attending Bike Week. Your prayers are requested not only for safety but also for our ministry. I’ll be there all week and will start home on March 8.

Bodega Bruce

Shipping News

GOOD NEWS! We shipped the container to Guatemala today (January 25). The ship was a day late getting here due to fog in the Gulf of Mexico. It will sail early next week with our precious cargo.

Bodega Bruce

Shipping News

I've been working long hours to get the next container ready to go.
There's still a lot of work to do, but the end is in sight. The ship
date is Thursday, Jan, 24. To all my friends who think I've dropped off
the face of the earth, just call the "bodega." I'm there seven days a
week and late into the evening until this job is done.

Blessings!
Bodega Bruce