Bruce Judkins' Story-Wisconsin Rider
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I became friends with Brian Weed during two previous trips to Nicaragua. A synopsis of one of those trips is found by hovering over "My Story" tab. Simply click on the story as it appears.
Besides these trips, I also helped Brian to raise funds to buy himself a dual sport motorcycle in 2015. This type of motorcycle is one of the most practical ways to get around in Nicaragua. I am an avid biker myself and find some of my greatest pleasure riding my Harley throughout the United States.
Besides these trips, I also helped Brian to raise funds to buy himself a dual sport motorcycle in 2015. This type of motorcycle is one of the most practical ways to get around in Nicaragua. I am an avid biker myself and find some of my greatest pleasure riding my Harley throughout the United States.
Brian contacted me around in early April of 2016 and presented the following question, "What would you think about riding a motorcycle from the US to Nicaragua"? Well, after about 3 seconds of thought, I responded with, "I can't imagine doing anything cooler than that"! Thus began the foundation for Ride Extreme for Youth Extreme.
The initial premise was for all riders to raise funds from donors to buy a motorcycle to ride down to Nicaragua. Upon arrival these motorcycles would be donated to ministry leaders or sold to buy "the right size and type" of motorcycle for those leaders.
I spoke to my wife wife Debby about the possibility of me taking this trip. She has always been supportive of my ministry work but this was a stretch for her. I have taken several thousands of mile trips on my Harley in the past few years but this was a bit different. She had, and likely still has, some reservations, but has supported me from the outset.
I will confess that my initial desire was largely selfish. I LOVE riding motorcycles and I LOVE adventure! I couldn't have ever even envisioned such a cool trip by myself. This is what brought me back to reality. I couldn't envision this-but God could! My selfish desires quickly disappeared as I came to the reality that, in fact, this wasn't about me at all. God was about to ask me to do something way beyond me!
The initial premise was for all riders to raise funds from donors to buy a motorcycle to ride down to Nicaragua. Upon arrival these motorcycles would be donated to ministry leaders or sold to buy "the right size and type" of motorcycle for those leaders.
I spoke to my wife wife Debby about the possibility of me taking this trip. She has always been supportive of my ministry work but this was a stretch for her. I have taken several thousands of mile trips on my Harley in the past few years but this was a bit different. She had, and likely still has, some reservations, but has supported me from the outset.
I will confess that my initial desire was largely selfish. I LOVE riding motorcycles and I LOVE adventure! I couldn't have ever even envisioned such a cool trip by myself. This is what brought me back to reality. I couldn't envision this-but God could! My selfish desires quickly disappeared as I came to the reality that, in fact, this wasn't about me at all. God was about to ask me to do something way beyond me!
As Brian and I had a couple more Facebook convesations I began to see the big picture. God has been using Brian (and his family) mightily in Nicaragua for years. Through their dedication, and God's plan unfolding, Brian has been able to do about 10 church plants throughout Nicaragua. These are humble beginnings for sure. No towering steeples. No beautifully carved pews. More like 10-4x4's with a corrugated roof and plastic Wal-Mart chairs. And every week those plastic chairs fill up with people hungry with hope for a better life. They came to the right place!
Many of those "hungry people" are youths. Most are desperately poor, hungry, and lacking in opportunity. It is said that 70% of the Nicaraguan people eat one meal or less each day. Many lack hope. Brian created an organization call Jovenes Extremo (Youth Extreme). Youth Extreme gives young people a place to gather, in a positive environment, to play sports and to hear the word of God. It is having a MAJOR impact on the lives of hundreds - and likely thousands.
Many of those "hungry people" are youths. Most are desperately poor, hungry, and lacking in opportunity. It is said that 70% of the Nicaraguan people eat one meal or less each day. Many lack hope. Brian created an organization call Jovenes Extremo (Youth Extreme). Youth Extreme gives young people a place to gather, in a positive environment, to play sports and to hear the word of God. It is having a MAJOR impact on the lives of hundreds - and likely thousands.
It was out of this that Ride Extreme for Youth Extreme was birthed. Brian had begun talking about these youth sports complexes that he was hoping to build at several of the church sites. It sounded great - except that they each cost about $70,000 to build. God made it clear to me that he wanted me not only to raise enough money to buy a motorcycle to ride down - He wanted me to raise $70,000 to build a whole youth complex. I assure you at this point I knew this wasn't just going to be a pleasure ride for me. I have never had to ask people for money before. Debby and I have been sufficiently blessed to pay for my previous trips. This was going to be HUMBLING! I began praying about my role and more clarity was delivered to me.
In January of 2016 we hired a new employee for one of the maintenance departments that I oversee. It just so happened that he is from Managua, Nicaragua. What a coincidence hey? Well, as a God follower, I don't believe in coincidence. I ended up doing a considerable amount of training with Marcelo. In a matter of days we became "hermanos" - brothers.
I shared with him what was going on in my life. I was very interested in this new church being developed in Pocochuape (in the picture above) and asked him if he knew anything about Pocochuape. His eyes lit up as he told me he could walk there in about 20 minutes (through fields). He said it is a very rough area. Lots of crime and gangs. It was then that I knew God's plan. He laid it on my heart to raise $70,000 to build Wisconsin Youth Complex in Pocochuape!
I shared with him what was going on in my life. I was very interested in this new church being developed in Pocochuape (in the picture above) and asked him if he knew anything about Pocochuape. His eyes lit up as he told me he could walk there in about 20 minutes (through fields). He said it is a very rough area. Lots of crime and gangs. It was then that I knew God's plan. He laid it on my heart to raise $70,000 to build Wisconsin Youth Complex in Pocochuape!
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
The verse above is a "life verse" of sorts for me. The person it speaks of, Queen Esther, was faced with a life or death choice. Her Uncle Mordecai, a devout Jewish leader, knew that she had been brought to her position for this very reason - to save her people by going to the king for help. Things were different back then though. You could be sentenced to death immediately for approaching the king without him having called you. She answered the call.
I try to live life with the idea that the next opportunity presented to me might be the very reason I was born. I have no delusions of grandeur. There is a chance that the most important thing I ever did, or could have done, may have even went unnoticed by me. But, on the other hand, that opportunity may be at my doorstep today. I think that opportunity right now is to change lives for all of eternity by building Wisconsin Youth Complex in Pocochuape. I humbly ask you to join me by contributing as you are led. My eternal thanks to each of you!
I try to live life with the idea that the next opportunity presented to me might be the very reason I was born. I have no delusions of grandeur. There is a chance that the most important thing I ever did, or could have done, may have even went unnoticed by me. But, on the other hand, that opportunity may be at my doorstep today. I think that opportunity right now is to change lives for all of eternity by building Wisconsin Youth Complex in Pocochuape. I humbly ask you to join me by contributing as you are led. My eternal thanks to each of you!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS GIFT!!