This August (2013) I am planning on riding my bike to help raise funds for helping to break the cycle of poverty. Better than only helping the poor in their poverty, these funds will be used by Christian ministries which help break the constraints which keep the poor impoverished. It is a relieving of oppression and a kingdom work which envisions and strides towards shalom and God's will being done on earth. My church denomination (the Christian Reformed Church) is partnering with other ministries in this wonderful effort to be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus Christ. Sea To Sea
I have never done anything like this before -- either biking, fund raising, or making such a physically focused kingdom effort.
Biking: While many others are riding the entire 9 week journey, I will be riding just the final three weeks, beginning August 5 in Grand Rapids. We will ride into Ontario, through Toronto and up to Montreal, before heading south along Lake Champlain and through Adirondacks and the Hudson Valley to New York City on August 24 -- somewhat over 1200 miles. I know I am not sure what I have gotten myself into.
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| Riding in Kentucky in early March -- 20 degrees |
This winter I have continued to ride when possible (I did manage to log 121 miles in January when the weather was good) and have been gathering the equipment I will need for the camping and the riding. In March, while on a personal retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky I was able to get in some hilly rural road miles on the frosty mornings, including a visit to the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
I managed to get 144 road miles in March, but now that it is April I expect to start logging many more miles in my training efforts as the road conditions allow and the summer draws near.
Fundraising. I remember as a kid selling light-bulbs door to door as a Cadet to raise funds for our club, but when I signed up to ride three weeks of Sea to Sea I also was expected to raise at least $5,000 for the cause. I had no idea how this would go and no disposition for wanting to ask people to give on my behalf. I trusted that since I had a clear sense that God would have me do this that I would entrust this area to his provisions. I started letting people know, sending out emails, and inviting support and I have realized that not only are God's people surprisingly generous but that God has confirmed for me his pleasure in this project and my having a part in it. Remarkably, by the end of 2012, $10,000 had been given, and by the end of March over $15,000 has been pledged. The only fundraising event was organized by the girl's GEMS club at my church. They put together a pancake breakfast which raised over $800. All the rest of the support has come from the participation of over 100 donors. I am amazed at all this and understand that God's pleasure is evident.
Physically focused kingdom effort. I will be 56 this year and can regularly identify increasing physical indications of maturity. Now, if only I could identity other more virtuous forms of developing maturity! I have committed my life and vocation in the service of my Lord but not in such a physical way as this before. I have been blessed with generally good health and my doctor tells me that if my body is capable and my mind is willing there is no reason for me to hesitate. Furthermore, my dear wife Cathy is wonderfully supportive even though she knows it will be hard for me and that we will be apart for several weeks and that she will have to do all the gardening while I am gone. Additionally, the congregation I serve (Calvin CRC in Grand Rapids, MI) has very generously donated my time in support. With all this support lining up I am feeling well confirmed in this undertaking. Now I have to get my body trained in order to properly respect all this support.
I expect that I will update this blog periodically this Spring and early summer as I train, continue to fund raise, and generally prepare for the trip, but the main use will come in August when I hope to post blogs very regularly during the trip.
In the meantime I am still accepting financial support for the Sea to Sea cause: Support Doug on Sea to Sea
