Day 46 - July 3 - Newman, IL to Terre Haute, IN

Day 46 - July 3 - Newman, IL to Terre Haute, IN (54 miles)

It was not easy to leave Mack and Elaine's, to leave Brenda and Noah; and set out on an unusually cold and rainy day in July.  Not complaining, as last year at this time the temp was in the 100's, and no rain at all!  It's just that I've never gotten use to saying goodbye!

The route today was like two different courses:  one flat and one hilly!  After we passed by the Brocton Christian Church, where we were so well received on Monday evening, we ran into a light rain all the way through Paris.  From Paris we took the Old Terre Haute Rd., which winds, rises and falls on its way from IL to IN -- an ominous prelude to what is coming!  There was no sign marking the state line, only my Garmin told me we were in our 9th state.

We crossed over the Muddy Wabash River and turned south along a park bike path.  We eventually joined up with Rt 41 down to Rich and Mary Alice Winson's home.  Now, Rich and Mary Alice are the parents of Alicia Edwards, our co-worker in Taiwan.  Alicia is one of Brenda's best friends!  How many foot massages have they gotten together in Taiwan?

After lunch, Rich introduced us to Pickle Ball.  It is a cross between Ping Pong and Badminton, and Rich is a pro!  So, the old guys beat the young guys -- repeatedly -- for my first spanking in IN!  Later, we discovered a treasure, two treasures to be exact, in their garage!  We even went for a ride in Rich's '39 Ford Sedan.  What a sweet ride!  Rich is also restoring a '57 Thunderbird convertible!  Can't wait to see it in a year, or so.  We also enjoyed the back porch, and their hot tub.  It was a great blessing after biking all morning and getting a spanking in Pickle Ball from Rich and Andy.

We had a wonderful turkey dinner in the evening, after which Rich and Mary Alice left us their house and went to a nearby home for the night.  What great courage they have!  What hospitality and love we have received!  Luey commented, "We really are ma-fan aren't we!"  I said, "Of course!"

Thank you, Rich and Mary Alice, even for the lesson in Pickle Ball!  :-)

Thank you for praying!

Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 45 - July 2 - Newman, IL (Rest Day)

Day 45 - July 2 - Newman, IL (Rest Day)

We spent the day with family, visiting Amish country near Arthur, IL.  Luey and Andy saw lots of things they'd never seen before!  We went to an Amish restaurant, and Rene Malaise took the afternoon off to come down from Champaign and join us.  We all left stuffed beyond stuffed!  Later, we were stuffed again with Elaine's Orzo soup.  It seems that all we've done is eat!

It was great spending a little time with Noah and his buds.  It seems like I haven't seen him in forever.  Thank you for praying for him.  He is not in much pain with his knee, and we will be waiting until we return to Taiwan to go see a specialist.

We head toward our 9th state on Gloritrek -- Indiana -- tomorrow.

Thank you, Lord, for days like these!  A little rest is a good thing!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 44 - July 1 - Monticello to Newman, IL

Day 44 - July 1 - Monticello to Newman, IL (48 miles)

It feels as if we're being lulled to sleep with short bike rides, lots of love and an overabundance of food!    We've had two days off, not counting this past Sunday, in the past week!  We all got massages in Monticello, and have even had ample time to lay by the pool!

Bryce Schaffer joined us from Monticello to Newman, only 48 miles on back roads and the flatest county in the state of Illinois.  Bryce was one of our interns two summers ago, and joined us in the 10-day Tour de-Taiwan.  Bryce just graduated high school, and has a bright future ahead, which I pray, includes a missions focus!

We arrived in Newman, at Brenda's parent's antique museum/home by 10:15 AM, and were promptly served an early lunch.  The afternoon was spent shopping at the outlet mall in Tuscola.  Luey and Andy had things they wanted to buy for family back in Taiwan.  Later, we went to Larry and Linda Updegraff's farm for tractor and 4-wheeler rides.  The guys were thrilled!

Brocton Christian Church hosted a Gloritrek event, with folks coming from several other churches here in Central Illinois.  It was a great turn-out for a Monday night!  We saw so many old friends, whom we dearly love!  How many times can one person be hugged in an evening!?!  Of course, this is the church that Brenda and I wed in, so lots of great memories going back more than 25 years.  What sweet fellowship and sweet desserts!  Luey said he had five desserts!  The church also collected an offering for Gloritrek -- more than $1000!  How the Lord has blessed the Gloritrek team!  We pray that as we go, it will not be the memory of the ride, but rather God's passion for the 7,162 UPG's that God's people remember!  May the Holy Spirit never let us forget, and create within us a passion that will not allow us to sit idly-by while there are still those who have never heard the name of Jesus!

This morning, day 45 and a rest day, we're going to Amish country with Mack and Elaine!  Tomorrow, Lord willing, we point our wheels toward Indiana and Louisville by the weekend -- all for God's glory!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 43 - June 30 - Monticello, IL (Worship Day)

Day 43 - June 30 - Monticello, IL (Worship Day)

The day is not over yet, but we thought we'd blog about the day as it is happening.  Andy and Luey are learning to make pizza with Bonnie and Brenda.  From the laughter coming from the kitchen, it seems they are having a great time!  On Friday, Luey and Andy learned to make ice cream, and now pizza!  It seems that Luey is destined to return to Taiwan and open a pizza and ice cream shop!

This morning we worshipped with the First Christian Church, in Monticello.  They have been partnered with us  since we went to Taiwan, 15 years ago.  The missions team is awesome!  Kathy, our FA, is also a member of this congregation.  David Papner has been a great right hand man for Gloritrek, helping to organized several Gloritrek events across the US, including Monticello's!  What a blessing these folks are!

The morning including two worship services, and a terrific fellowship lunch.  Brenda, Emily, David and Noah were all in attendance, as well as some more old friends.  It was great to see Bryce Schaffer, who interned with us two years ago and biked around Taiwan with us.  Noah spoke to the youth in "The Shed," and we're told he did well, with a little assistance from MissE (Emily).

In the afternoon, Steve drove us out to Allerton Park, a mansion on the outskirts of Monticello.  Allerton Park is hard to describe, a place where, at one time, money and power ruled!  Truly, we've never seen any place like it!

This evening, we are eating pizza, speaking at a Gloritrek event at FCC, and eating dessert afterward!  Life is really hard for the Gloritrek team!  Tomorrow it is another short riding day of about 50 miles to Newman;  and Brenda's parent's home.  Bryce Schaffer, a.k.a. "Windbreaker," will be joining us to Newman!  We are truly blessed!


Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 42 - June 29 - Fisher to Monticello, IL

Day 42 - June 29 - Fisher to Monticello, IL  (31 miles)

We were accompanied today by old friend, Rene Malaise.  He planned our route through Mahomet and the park bike path.  It was a beautiful ride through the country.  We arrived by 10 AM to a warm welcome in Monticello.  The missions team was well organized to receive us, and had all kinds of things scheduled for us -- including massages -- what hospitality!

We went to lunch at the local Chinese Restaurant with the missions team.  In the afternoon, David Papner took Andy and Luey to the Train Museum.  Andy was like a kid in a candy store!  In the evening, after supper  at the Worship Pastor's home, we got to go see the world's longest procession of Corvette's drive thru Monticello!  What a treat to see so many muscle cars!

We are being hosted by Steve and Bonnie Bayes.  Their son, Daniel, is on internship in Europe with College Heights and Team Expansion.  He has been to Taiwan twice and is Noah's buddy!  Saturday was a great day of fellowship with God's people here in Monticello!

Thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 41 - June 28 - Fisher, IL (Rest Day)

Day 41 - June 28 - Fisher, IL  (Rest Day)

Friday was a great day!  Luey and Andy were taken several places by Bethany and Karen Harrison:  the grocery store, the fire station, and to the University of Illinois.  They also got to visit a farm where Ben Harrison works on a part-time basis.  They had a busy day.

I spent the day with Brenda and Lucy Woodcock in Champaign, shopping for supplies for the trip ahead.  Not as much fun, but necessary.

We were hosted for dinner by Karen, and then it was off to River Valley where a great crowd turned out for the Gloritrek event.  We got to see lots of old friends, and make some new ones too!

Thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 40 - June 27 - Lincoln to Fisher, IL

Day 40 - June 27 - Lincoln to Fisher, IL (59 miles / 2156 total miles / 15 mph average speed)

From Lincoln we rode Hwy 10, Hwy 54 and Hwy 136.  These are the roads I drove on a weekly basis when I was going to grad school at LCS.  It brought back lots of great memories going back 20 years.  It's hard not to think about the journey the Lord has taken us on -- from a small town on the plains of Central Illinois to a mega-city in Central Taiwan!  Then, as we turned west and headed for Fisher, where we served for 5 years, just prior to leaving for the mission field, a host of fond memories spurred us on. 

Roger and Lucy Woodcock are a great example of those fond memories.  When I first met Roger he reminded me of Grizzley Adams with a temper.  However, after sharing the Gospel with his daughters, Roger came to the Lord too!  What a transformation the Lord brought about in his life!  Roger and Lucy are two of our favorite people!  Last night we borrowed Lucy's truck, and Brenda and I got to go on a date, our first in a couple months!

Luey and Andy are being hosted by Karen Harrison, mother of David; our son-in-law!  Yesterday afternoon, Emily took them on a tour at the U of I.  They are having a great time off the bikes!

I hope this blog gets you thinking about how the Lord is uniquely preparing you for Kingdom service.  The Lord uses both circumstances and events to mold us as His servants.  A great example was the Apostle Paul -- over and over we see Paul using his personal testimony to share the Gospel.  What's your testimony?  How could the Lord use you?

Tonight we will have a Gloritrek event at the River Valley Church of Christ, here in Fisher!  It's so great coming home! 

Thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
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