Pray – pedal – repeat!
Some sporting events remain personal challenges. Others become stories of people, community, and hope. This cycling tour organized by Ends of the Earth Cycling (EEC) for youth, beneficiaries of MLI programs, belongs to the latter.
Last year, our friends from EEC extended a long term partnership to MLI to invest in youth in Romania. In 2021, EEC organized the Key West Bike Ride in FL for MLI, for a few years our girls from Deborah House went to camp at Alpiniș and we equipped Alpiniș with a climbing wall and ski equipment with resources from the Key West ride. In 2021 pandemic restrictions forced me to cancel my participation.
This year, from June 12–17, I had the privilege to represent MLI on the five day, 250 miles EEC Quebec Bike Ride on the beautiful Petit Train du Nord trail in Canada. It was overwhelming to see so much love and interest in the youth of Romania coming from brothers and sisters, cyclists, from the USA and Canada whom I have not met before. They literally pray-pedal-repeat to support our work for girls from Deborah House, students from the Recaș area, juvenile offenders at the Buziaș Educational Center, and teenagers who have the opportunity to attend our camps At Alpiniș, Sibiu County. I heard stories of them raising support from friends and churches and shared about our Children at Risk and Alpiniș youth programs every day.
The most special moments for me were seeing and hearing cyclists pray – following our daily prayer themes – for each of our programs by name, every day of the ride. Pray-pedal-repeat is taken seriously in this group. Every time groups left on the trail or stopped for water or photo breaks along the way, I would see 2-4-5 people come together and pray for the youth in Romania. I know our Lord hears those prayers and honors the love that is shared.
Highlights included deep conversations about faith, ministry, Romania and of course the serendipity of the Canadian landscape together with the fun strenuous bike ride. We became friends and partners. I was so impressed with the detailed organization by our hosts, both the local Canadian believers as well as the whole team from EEC. You have served us beyond expectations! Thank you!
Not least, it was a special joy to ride again with our dear friend and partner Chris Duncan from Ashville, NC. In 2023, Chris organized a special bike ride on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway, 469 miles, for our Children at Risk. His heart for the girls from Deborah House has been consistent since 2002 and now we rode together again for the same goal.
I will shout a heartfelt ”thank you” to all riders, the team and all partners who choose to invest in transforming the lives of youth in Romania with us. Thank you for turning even the sport of cycling into a mission service opportunity.
We invite you to join this effort through your financial support as well, the possibility to do so on the EEC chanel remains active for a month after the ride. Every contribution becomes part of a journey that can change lives.
