Git-R-Done

In the words of comedian Larry the Cable Guy, the featured players in this backpack collection trip are ready to “Git-R-Done!” This is a phrase that became a favorite of Allen’s many years ago when a gentleman named Rev. Sparks heard Allen speak. The following week, Rev. Sparks delivered a card that contained a donation to the ministry. Allen was grateful for the donation, but the talking card it came in was also appreciated. The inside of the card had a picture of a hillbilly with a gruff voice saying, “Git-R-Done!” A few years ago, when Sowers4Pastors became its own 501c3, the team had a discussion about what to name their fledgling organization. Most of the Sowers clan feel a little weird about having their last name be part of the ministry’s name - sometimes they intentionally mispronounce the name of the ministry, saying “SOWERS” (rhymes with mowers) rather than “SOWERS” (rhymes with flowers). As they were searching for a name, Allen jokingly suggested that the ministry should be called “Git-R-Done Ministries."

This year, when Allen arrived in the U.S., he had a whole pile of paperwork to do. With Kirstin’s help, it is “gittin’ done!” Allen’s goal is to speak at a different church each Sunday. Oh, and while he’s doing this, he and Kirstin are also walking between 10 and 12 miles every morning to improve their fitness and decrease Allen’s risk factors for Covid. In the afternoons, Allen is also riding a bike for about 12 miles.

Allen and Kirstin aren’t the only ones “Gittin’-R-Done.” Russell and Kelsea, along with Kirstin, are getting ready to fly out to Seattle to begin the first leg of the backpack collection portion of the trip. Being at the designated locations at the correct times means they will be pulling 16-hour-days of truck driving. Once they hit Kansas, things will slow down a little, but they will still be in “Git-R-Done” mode. Along the way, Russell will be repacking each box they collect (as needed) in order to use every square inch of space.

Even though there are periods of time when the team will be pushing hard to “Git-R-Done,” that doesn’t mean the Sowers are all work and no play. The truck crew for the West-to-East leg of the trip (Russell, Kelsea, and Kirstin) will make a brief stop to admire the Grand Canyon during the part of the trip where they will be pushing hardest. The Stateside crew is enjoying the chance to spend some time catching up with friends of the ministry. Of course the entire ministry team, especially Allen, is always ready to jump back in and “Git-R-Done!”

All told, the backpack collection trip will involve six weeks on the road and five different rented Penske trucks. It will also include traveling through more than 30 states and a total of over 10,000 miles of driving.

Before Allen joins the convoy, he must first deliver food packing equipment from Maryland to Ohio, where a group from Amish, Mennonite, and independent church communities will pack the next container of food. Between speaking at churches, getting into tip-top shape, and preparing for the trip, Allen is also working to raise funds to ship the next container of food for the kids in Honduras. If you want to join the ministry in “Gittin’-R-Done,” you can partner with them through prayers, packing events, backpacks, and financial support. As always, Allen says “Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping us ‘Git-R-Done!’”

HERE is the link to the itinerary of the West-to-East backpack trip. If you think you should be on the list and are not, please let us know!

 - posted by Christi