EDWARDS HOSTS CAPERNAUM KIDS
Mike Edwards and his Young Life team for nearly six years have opened their pits to many kids through the Young Life program with disabilities and this was no different in the recent NHRA stop in Atlanta for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, where Edwards welcomed some special individuals on Sunday to give them a taste of racing.
In Atlanta, the Young Life Capernaum Ministries, which is a program of Young Life especially for kids and young adults with disabilities, paid the Mike Edwards Motorsports team a visit. It marks the fifth time the group has joined Edwards in Atlanta, but the first time to catch the sights and sounds of NHRA racing on a Sunday. "In the past we've gone on Thursday, it is still loud and everything, but Sunday, was a whole different experience for these kids," said Robert "Skeeter" Powell, who heads the Capernaum group for the Atlanta area.
This year's trip marked the largest group ever that Edwards hosted. "This year it took two vehicles to get us all there," Powell said. "The van that carried the wheelchairs was packed and we had to call on a friend to bring his vehicle to take more kids and their chairs. The numbers are growing, and most of the 'selling' is being done by the students who have been before."
While at the track, the kids took in as much of the events as possible and spent time with Edwards and his team learning about racing and Godly principles.
"There are not many places we go where we are loved so much and so well," Powell added. "It is so obvious that they care. The best part is to see one of the team members in the midst of working on the car, covered by grease and oil, taking the time to answer questions about the car, drag racing, and life – being personal for Christ's sake with one of the kids who in life is treated like a leaper by most of the people around them. They remember, and it makes it easier for us to talk with them about God's love for them when they see people like Mike, Lisa Edwards, and the entire team."
"When these kids come to the track it is a special time for me," Edwards said. They have such great spirits about them; it makes you just love spending the day with them. I really enjoy talking with the Capernaum kids and try to say something to encourage them in their daily lives, but by the time they leave I'm the one who feels encouraged and blessed to have been with them."
The Capernaum group plans to join Edwards again in Bristol. "This is such a great opportunity, not only for these kids, but for any high school kid, to do something most don't get to do in a lifetime," Powell added. "Mike Edwards Motorsports gives us an opportunity to have a high adventure surrounded by people who know God and love him and know us and love us."
The Capernaum Ministries gives young people with disabilities an unforgettable and life-changing experience and the chance to have fun, make friends, develop self-esteem and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.