Big Bikes, used to further the Bible Ministry
At age 71, Big Bike rider, Douglas Mercaida, known to the team as “Papa Doug”, embarked on an 82.5 kilometer ride from Quezon City to Gapan, Nueva Ecija with 12 other Big Bike riders and volunteers, known as The Word Riders Philippines (TWRP), for the very purpose of giving out Bibles to Grade 8 students of two public high schools in the said province.
“Why endure such a long ride for the Bible ministry?” He further adds; “I met a motorcycle accident before, and I really thank God for sparing my life. Now I know the purpose why He spared my life, and that is to share to these young students what the Bible is, who God is, and that there is a God who forgives our sins,” Papa Doug shared.
Papa Doug’s experience is just one of the many inspiring and encouraging stories why these big bikers keep on joining every ride with the purpose of bringing God’s Word to students.
The most recent and the fourth Bible ride of TWRP team took place last February 12. They ventured out into the ‘footwear capital of the north’ – Gapan, Nueva Ecija. This, however, amusingly blends with a Bible verse; “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.” Hence, two schools from the said province were selected to be the recipients of the Bibles; the San Roque National High School, headed by Mr. Artemio L. Lanuza; and the Sta. Cruz National High School, headed by Mrs. Elvira A. Pascua.
These schools received over 600 copies of ‘May They Be One’ Bibles (in partnership with the MTBO Bible Campaign of the Philippine Bible Society). Over 400 of these were personally handed over to the students by the ‘Word Rider’ and volunteers. Aside from the Bibles, the Grade 8 students were also surprised to receive shoeboxes (with gift items inside) as presents from Samaritans Purse’s Operation Christmas Child (www.samaritanspurse.org).
Atty. Rupert Bustamante, a Big Bike Rider but lawyer by profession says, “I am a bike enthusiast and a member of several associations and organizations, but for me being part of the Word Riders is the best! This is because TWRP has a concrete vision and a sense of purpose. Distributing God’s word to students is the best purpose we can have as a group, and I’m looking forward to more meaningful rides.”
Last year, TWRP team had three productive rides, one in Bulacan, and two in Bataan. These brought 1500 Bibles to Grade 8 students in the said provinces. The schools mentioned also received Scripture materials for their libraries.
Do you want to be part of this Bible Distribution activity or be a member of ‘The Word Riders Philippines’? Feel free to call us at 524 5337 or send e-mail to contactus@bible.org.ph.