Our ride out of Scottsdale (Phoenix) was one of the hardest of the trip so far, but also one of the most memorable. Our group was joined at 5:00 am by 6 cyclists from our wonderful host church, Valley Presbyterian, whose members had taken us in as strangers and treated us like kings all the previous day and night. You would not believe how much food some of our hosts, Polly and Bob, cooked for us, and we are so grateful.
Led by this large church's dynamic pastor and longtime friend of Millard Fuller's, Woody Garvin, 3 of those 6 local riders not only biked the entire distance, they led the pack! They were incredible, and it was an honor to ride with (behind) them. In addition, David Loar, who once road 1,000 miles to raise money for the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts, joined us along with his wife, Kristen Barner, who helped with rider support. Since I road with David for a while, I got the benefits of the food stops every three miles; it was awesome. With treatment like that I think I may become the first person to gain weight while climbing mountains!
And now finally, after days of burning in the scorching desert, we escaped. It took 7,500 feet of climbing over about 80 miles, but we did it. Don't ask me how Moses led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, for us four days in the desert was plenty. Now, instead of scrubs and small bushes, we see evergreens and lush forests. We actually look at the 95 degree temperatures around us and think of it as a day that's "not too hot." With the deserts and some mountains behind us, we live to bike another day...
And best of all, the local riders today helped raise an additional $1,000 for our ride. Plus with the contacts we made or renewed and the two reporters who came out to cover our ride, we think it may have significantly helped to stir the pot for starting The Fuller Center in Phoenix as well as Payson (our finishing point today).
Thank you to everyone for continuing to post comments of support, and for your continued prayers for God's blessings on this trip as well as our safety. Thanks to you, we don't feel like we are riding alone as we continue onward from one victory to another!
In Christ's service,
Ryan
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
Thanks, Ryan, for your descriptive writing which makes me feel like I am there with you all! Amazing that 95 degree days are good and "comfortable"....just goes to show how relative everything in life is! ;) Good for all of you for focusing on the positive.
Do your best to stay cool and in a positive frame of mind. We are all there with you in spirit!
Auntie "M"
Ryan and the biker gang,
Sounds like you are all doing well - and facing the challenges with grace. I am glad that things worked out so well in Payson, AZ. Thanks to Uncle "D" and Aunt "J" for their help. Loving all of the posts and pics - keep them coming!
Keep on pedaling...Linda S
Those of us in Brawley are happy you have climbed into some cooler country. The White Mountains of Arizona are quite nice and having the beautiful views (even if earned with another tough climb) is nice for all of you.
Keep on keepin' on. Good to hear at Katherine's blog that the fundraising got a boost this too.
Seeds planted, people touched, don't try to measure the impact, just trust God to keep us all focused on you and your work long after you left us.
Teri Sanders
Post a Comment