Over the Mountains to New Challenges

We have made it across the Cascades and the Rockies! As you can see from the picture, it was not easy! After a memorable worship service yesterday morning, with the Rockies as a backdrop, everyone spent the remainder of the day resting and enjoying the Glacier National Park. It was a much appreciated day off the bicycle seats!

Today we started out heading across the plains of Montana. No mountains, but new challenges--we faced sweltering heat today. One of our riders bike computers said it was 111 degrees f.. Whether or not that was accurate, the fact was it was blazing hot. We all made it fine, though, but were glad to get a shower and out of the heat.

We continue to meet and share with all sorts of people--train enthusiasts, retired cruise ship captains, waitresses, forest service people, every sort imaginable. Tonight we will do a presentation in Cut Bank, MT.

Potlucks, Pancakes, and Lots of Pedaling

We are now on Day 10 of Ride Across America and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our hosts in the communities we have visited. We have enjoyed and eaten more food than is probably legal. We have been treated to potlucks, chicken dinners, pancake breakfasts, and sack lunches that could feed a crowd three times the size of ours. People have taken us, strangers, into their homes and we always leave town feeling like we have a whole new group of people on this adventure with us.

We have had an opportunity almost every night to share about why we are doing this. We have been given some gifts by churches, individuals, at the gas station and by a darling 12 year-old girl, who not only gave us her $18 to go toward the projects, but moved us with the worship song she wrote and played for us on her guitar before we left town.

We are now on the second leg of our journey. We left the beautiful mountains of Washington, not thinking it could get any better, only to discover that God decided to add lakes and rivers among the mountains in Idaho, making them different, but incredibly beautiful. We are now in Montana--the state we will spend the most time in--and going through more mountains, and again they look different. What a spectacular, creative God we have.

The team is all in good health and good spirits. Today we had a record six flat tires--five of which were on one bike. Despite that, God has been good and our problems have been minor. Please continue to pray for safety, and that God would be honored and glorified through this trip.

Sometimes it is Just One Tenth of a Mile at a Time—Days 4-6

The past five days have taken us over five mountain passes—the most recent of which was our tallest yet at 5,575 feet. Sherman Pass is what stood between our Friday stop in Republic and our Saturday/Sunday stop and rest day in Colville. Again, the scenery was incredible—mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, deer and even a moose sighting.

Sometimes, though, pedaling up the side of the mountain meant trying just to make the next mile, sometimes the next tenth of a mile, and then the next and the next. Eventually, we all made it.

Reminds me of the rest of life in many ways. We all face mountains in our lives. You could say we chose these mountains ourselves and sometimes our trials and troubles are the result of our own choices. Sometimes, though, they are things life just throws at us and we can’t see coming.

God never promised it would be easy, but he did promise his presence with us. Sometimes, though it is one mile, one day, one moment at a time. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) And Romans 8 reminds us that neither trouble or hardship or persecution or anything else will ever separate us from the love of Christ. “No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (v.37) Just like we made it over the North Cascades, Jesus promises in the end we, too, will be victorious.

We continue to meet interesting and wonderful people. People like Spider, part of a Christian motorcycle outreach at a rally in Republic, the couple who made a U-turn on a mountain pass to come back and see if we were really going across the country on bicycles, little kids, elderly couples, the young man at the youth event who just happened to be going by, just got out of drugs and wanting to connect with a church.

Today is a welcome rest day. People are tired and sore, but in great spirits. Tomorrow we have a 92 mile ride to Newport, our last stop in Washington.

Sea to Snow to Sunburn in Three Days

On Tuesday morning our team dipped their tires in Fidalgo Bay and left on our journey across America. After many months of preparations on everyone's part, and the prayers and support of hundreds and hundreds of people behind us, it was great to finally get underway.

Our first day of 80 plus miles took us to the little town of Marblemount, Washington. Within miles our van supposed to be offering us support got lost. We did 30 miles before they caught up with us--but they had done 60. We decided maybe we should mark the roads for them.

We were hosted that night by a little church with a big heart--North Cascade Community Church. Not only did they treat us wonderfully, with a barbecue in a beautiful setting, encouraging and warm host homes, but on the wall of their church I noticed this little church supports 18 missionaries around the world. Amazing.

Our second day took us over two mountain passes (with snow at the top!)--the highest of which was Washington Pass at 5,500 feet. As John Duncan, our YFC Area Director for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa said, "It was absolutely the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life." But we made it! The scenery was spectacular, forests, snow-capped mountains and the constant sound of rushing water from all the mountain streams and rivers. Going downhill was almost worth the climb--almost. We ended the night in Twisp and appreciated the hospitality of our host church there.

Today took us over one more mountain pass and then we pretty much headed downhill. Besides a couple of us falling over on our bikes (you have to remember to take your foot out of those pedals when you stop!) everything went well. The weather went from chilly to hot and a few of us have sunburn. Tonight we are in the little town of Riverside, where we just participated in a community-wide youth event.

We have had lots of opportunities to share about YFC and all the projects we are trying to raise funds for.

The Team Arrives

We are on the verge of leaving on this epic journey across America. To the right you can see the first leg of our ride.

Most of our riders have already arrived here in Anacortes with a few more scheduled to pull in today. This afternoon and evening we will all meet for the first time and do an orientation. There is a mixture of excitement, anxiety and perhaps unbelief that we are actually doing this.

Already, though, we have been able to talk about Youth for Christ and why we are doing this--and that is what this is all about.

We have learned a few things already, too. For instance, when the support van's low fuel light comes on (a van we leased for the trip), it is already too late! Had to already make one walk for fuel. Also, the trailer behind the van does not fit in airport parking! All the people behind me in the parking line were as thrilled as I was to learn that!

We are meeting lots of people and are looking forward to seeing what God has in store. Thanks much to everyone who is praying and supporting all of us on this trip.

Two Weeks Until Launch

One week from today I and twelve other insane people from around the world will dip our tires in the waters off of Anacortes, Washington and begin our 4,300 mile ride across America on bicycles. Keep watching here for more information on our journey.