Little girl donates to the freebox.

So last year we got our daughters a burley bike trailer to tow them round town. They loved it. It was one of their favorite things to do. Recently we contacted surly bikes to see if they would be interested in donating a trailer. They were pretty encouraged by the idea of the free box bike however they had already given out all the free trailers that they could for the year. So I sat my daughter down and asked her if she would be willing to donate her trailer to the homeless ministry. She was more than willing and I am so happy for my little girl. Here is a picture of the trailer all stripped down with a stainless steel rack I got for $2 at a garage sale. It's no surly trailer but it'll work for now, hopefully in the summer will be able to move up to something bigger.

Sock ministry

Tonight was a blessing. Me and my wife took the girls downtown. The girls gave away socks to thankful travelers. It's true what Jesus said...

"it's more blessed to give than to receive."

WHY WE DO IT

 I grew up in
Southern California doing what kids do. I thought little about others,
indulged in pleasing me, flunked out of school, and formed unhealthy
addictions. I got busted a bunch and then finally grew tired of the
feeling of failure. In 1996, I started reading the Bible and realized
that there was so much more to life than I was seeing. I cleaned up my
act, sold everything I owned, got on a bike, and traveled for fourteen
years learning about myself.  But more importantly, I learned about
others. I saw a part of this country few ever get to see and am thankful
 for every step of the way. This is where the the freebox bike project
started to grow. At times, we would go out giving things away, helping
out at bike co-ops around the country, etc. All the while being homeless
 myself. It was a great life of simplicity and peace. In 2009, I married
 my touring partner. We traveled for about four years from city to city
with our bikes and camper van. I did odd jobs to provide while work
trading and care taking. Now we have three small children and are
getting more settled in Oregon.  I got a great job driving a wheelchair
van and am renting 5 acres in the country. We have a small, hobby farm
and are very thankful! 
We wanted to start up something good so we bought a Surly Big Dummy used
 off of Craigslist to involve the community with a homeless outreach. We
 want to do this all with our bikes to be among the homeless and their
camps......more of a real feel environment. We have a great love for
people and bikes and we think the two together is a great combo. I think
 our past experience being homeless adds a the ingredient of empathy the
 "system" lacks.   

Homeless Work Shop Idea

The Freebox bike (Eugene)

© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap

(google map) (yahoo map)

Hello,
My name is Timothy. I'm looking for people who would be willing to hire homeless people for small, odd jobs, etc. We have started a mobile Homeless Ministry in Eugene called The Freebox bike. (www.thefreeboxbike.blogspot.com).

We are small and hope to stay more ground floor with this project in hopes of keeping things real and a blessing. An idea I had was to find people who are willing to help out (the homeless) by giving them some work. I'm sure it could do a host of good for their dignity.

Now, I understand there can be a number of issues with this. I am charging forward in good faith because....... to be honest, there is a great need in this city for more reaching out. This is all in a small, root-like stage, but brainstorm here for a moment. I will be interacting with individuals on the street. I know there are rivers and valleys galore but every so often there is someone who is in a transition and really could appreciate some hard work. Earning some honest cash can really be a blessing when you feel like everyone's against you!

The Freebox bike can be a sort of go between for these special individuals who are willing to work. Keep in mind, it can be very hard getting back up with no home, address, and a petty criminal record.

Please take some time to think about it. And yes, I would love to have some constructive criticism. The picture above is not my bike. I actually have a Surly cargo bike but I am hoping to raise the money to build a trailer like this one.

Thank you.

Thank Yeshua we finally paid the freebox bike off. We have slowly been putting this thing together and could appreciate any support and help souls wanted to offer. Some things that could still be helpful....We are excepting donations for socks, tarps, and gloves. if you think you would like to support this please contact teyo at 808 346 9132. Thanks so much!

Thank you

We have now a cargo bike thanks to alex from Arizona!!! Alex has given us a great deal on this surly big dummy cargo bike. We are ready now to modify it for the ministry. Thanks again alex and to all who have supported this project.

Brethren

The brethren tree service truck has been parked on hwy 99 for the summer. Some guys have been camping around it and it looks like enjoying a sense of community. So often we judge people by there outward appearance that we often times neglect to notice they are people too. People who have needs aswell as anybody, wether in the country or elsewhere in the world. Yeshua teaches us to love our neighbor's,  but he never teaches we can pick which one's to love. Lord help us Christians to love all men indeed and in truth. Faithfully preaching Gods word as well as faithfully keeping his commandments.