Bicycles, Burritos, and God's Plan
I had the honor of interviewing Mike Norris, a man with an incredible testimony of how God took the tragedy of losing his teenage son and transformed it into a ministry that is changing lives across the globe.
In 2011, Mike received the devastating news that his 18-year-old son Christopher, along with Christopher's mother and two other children, had been killed in a car accident while traveling home from a family trip. Christopher had been an active participant in mission trips and was scheduled to leave for Japan just days after the accident occurred.
In the months following this horrific loss, Mike struggled with anger and questioned God. But in the midst of his grief, God spoke to him, impressing John 3:16 on his heart and giving Mike peace that Christopher, as a believer, now had eternal life.
About a year later, Mike took his first mission trip to Thailand, visiting the orphanage his church had been supporting. The experience opened his eyes and heart. When his friend Bobby approached him about doing a 500-mile bike ride across Thailand to raise money for the orphanage, in memory of Christopher, Mike knew he had to do it, despite weighing nearly 300 pounds at the time.
That first ride in 2012 was the start of something big. Over the next few years, Mike lost a significant amount of weight, rode thousands of training miles, and watched the bike ride fundraiser, now called the Tour of Hope, grow to over 20 participants and raise more than $60,000 for the orphanage. A weekly burrito ministry Bobby had started to feed the homeless also exploded, now operating out of a church and serving hundreds each week.
Mike never planned or expected any of this, but he sees God's hand orchestrating every detail, even using the devastating loss of his son to bring about a greater good and impact many lives. His family has found healing and purpose through the ministry that developed. While Mike may never understand why he had to lose Christopher, he knows he has to find and follow God's plan in the midst of the tragedy.
Mike's story is a powerful example of beauty from ashes, of God working all things together for good even through unimaginable pain. I know God will continue to use Mike, his family, and their ministry to touch many more lives with the gospel and the love of Christ in the years to come. You can follow their journey on Facebook at "Ride 4 Him."
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