Day 64 - Wilmington, OH (Worship Day)

Day 64 - Wilmington, OH (Worship Day)

What a blessing to worship with my home church, to see the people whom the Lord used to guide me through some difficult growing up years.  What a blessing they have been to us for nearly four decades.  It is an absolute certainty that without WCC, I would certainly NOT be in ministry today and probably wouldn't be alive either!  God is so good!

As I went from SS class to SS class, greeting my church family; I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me.  As I stood to preach, I knew I needed to forget about the sermon outline, and just share what the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart.  I'm not sure what I said, or if it made any sense at all -- but I was truly overwhelmed by a spirit of gratitude for all that the Lord has done and is doing through WCC!  Praise the Lord!

Later, in the afternoon, Hugh Vance, a fellow with whom I have had great fun for many years, took us boating to Caesar's Creek Lake.  Hugh has a speed boat -- and we hit speeds of 50-60 MPH!  What a blast it was!  COming back to Bill and Janet Vance's home is like coming home for me, since they adopted me into their family when I was still in Jr High.  We spent the even reminiscing, and catching up on what the Vance children are all doing (three of their sons are in ministry).  We all slept very well!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 63 - July 20 - Mason to Wilmington, OH

Day 63 - July 20 - Mason to Wilmington, OH (30 mi)

It was an outstanding day!  It started with a wonderful breakfast prepared by Chad, as every morning should begin with a good breakfast!  Then, we biked down into the Little Miami River valley, reaching a top speed of 38 MPH.  The folks from Georgetown Church of Christ we ready and waiting to join us on a 10 mile ride along the scenic Little Miami.  What fun!

We biked along slowly talking much -- great fellowship and beautiful surroundings!  Truly, we didn't want it to end!  We reached a camping area, where the Georgetown church had rented a pavilion.  We ate lunch -- hamburgers, hot dogs, con on the cob and watermelon.  I spoke about the decisions we make today to follow Christ will have a ripple effect all the way to the third and fourth generations of those who love the Lord, not to mention the UPG's and eternity.  However, I was speaking of passing the faith to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We tore ourselves away from the Georgetown brethren, and began the ascent out of the valley -- a category one climb, made much easier with no saddlebags.  We rode 15 more miles to Wilmington, my hometown.  We beat the storm by 5 minutes! l We stayed with long-time friends, Jon and Amy Luttrell; farmers here in South Central Ohio.  We ate dinner tonight with childhood friend, Ray Vance and wife Patti.  Ray is the minister at South Side church in Washington Court House, where we will be on Monday evening, Lord willing.

Also, today mark a milestone, we are one year away today from releasing the Come Christian Church to move forward without missionary presence.  July 20, 2014, Lord willing, Brenda and I will move on to a new Kingdom service.  What that will be, we have no idea!  Pray with us!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 62 - July 19 - Fairfield to Mason, OH

Day 62 - July 19 - Fairfield to Mason, OH (28 mi)

From Fairfield to Mason (actually, Morrow) was only 28 miles.  It was a beautiful ride through wooded and rolling hills.  Kent, a member of the Fairfield church road along with us with only one gear working (more on that in a minute).  We ended up on the Little Miami River bike trail, which is a scenic river.  As we rode along, we all knew that out of 3500 miles, it won't ever get any better than that -- absolutely beautiful -- and we praised the Lord of all creation.

We arrived in Morrow, and the home of Chad and Tish Powers.  They have two beautiful daughters, Hannah and Olivia.  Their neighbors are on vacation and said, "You all make yourselves at home in our home!"  Wow -- welcoming complete strangers into their home!

Kent's bike had only one working gear, and he thought he needed to buy a new bike, because that's what the bike shop told him.  Luey took a look at it, and in only 15 minutes Luey had both front and rear gears working like they were brand new!  Kent was amazed!

Christ's Church in Mason hosted our Gloritrek event, but it was sponsored by the Georgetown Church of Christ.  About 20 members from that church drove for more than an hour to be a part of Gloritrek!  What a blessing they are to us!  They also organized the next morning ride along the Little Miami River.  What a great day!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 61 - July 18 - Fairfield, OH (Rest Day)

Day 61 - July 18 - Fairfield, OH (Rest Day)

I'm spending the day with my mom, here in Fairfield.  Luey and Andy are being entertained by Pastor Dave.  Days like these are so rare, days to be cherished!  Tonight we will have supper with my youngest sister, Becki, and her family!  Looking forward to seeing them!

We will be back on the road tomorrow morning, but not too far -- to Mason, OH.  We'll actually be going beyond Mason, to Morrow, which means we'll be going down into the Little Miami River valley, and then up the other side.  We're staying with Chad Powers and his family -- from Brenda's home church in Brocton, IL.

We'll be having a Gloritrek event tomorrow evening at Christ's Church in Mason.  Will we see you there?  Then, a Gloritrek event along the Little Miami River with the Georgetown (OH) Church of Christ.  Then, on to Wilmington, and my home church for Sunday!  Thank you, Lord, for opportunities such as these!  May we be faithful -- for Your glory!

God has been so good to us!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Postscript -- You've heard the expression, "While the cats away the mice will play!"  And, boy did Luey and Andy have a great time with David and Connie.  They went everywhere:  Union Station, downtown Cincy, Mt Adams, Montgomery Inn Restaurant -- all without me!  They also ate dinner with a family from Taiwan!

You can see most of their pictures on Flickr!  Here's just a few from our rest day!

Day 60 - July 17 - Erlanger, KY to Fairfield, OH (30 mi)

Day 60 - July 17 - Erlanger, KY to Fairfield, OH (30 mi)

Two months ago, today, we boarded the plane to the US from Taiwan.  It would be fair to say that we were more than a little anxious about the road ahead.  I wasn't even sure we'd make it out of the desert, let alone to our 11th state -- Ohio -- my home state!

We rode the 30 miles from Erlanger church to Fairfield -- all city riding, through the heart of downtown Cincinnati.  We crossed the Ohio river for the second time on Gloritrek.  Cincy is really a beautiful city!  However, as we came through several sections of the city, it was obvious that the church has much to do at home, as well as abroad!  Our God is a big God, so don't believe we haven't the resources to focus our attention on both.  God can and will provide everything we need to convey the Gospel to all! We arrived at the Fairfield church by about 10 AM, beating the heat (for the most part).  We appreciated my mom and a couple of her friends driving to Erlanger and transporting our bags, which seem to be getting heavier as we accumulate stuff.

What a blessing the Fairfield Church of Christ has been -- to my mother, POM (Parent of Missionary); as well as to Gloritrek!  David and Connie Hargrave (David is the sr. minister) took us to the restaurant of our choice -- amazingly, we ended up at Skyline Chili again!  :-)  What a blessing to see mom again! What a woman of great faith she is!

After LaRosa's Pizza with the missions team, we had the Gloritrek event with a terrific crowd!  They were terrific, with the questions continuing into the linger longer.  For the first time on Gloritrek, I actually had folks ask me if they could see my back and the scar that runs down my spine.  I'm happy to oblige, as it is a testimony to the power of God!  THe Fairfield church has a long history with Team Expansion, and is presently involved with at least three UPG's!  I applaud their vision and pray that their faith will spread to churches who have yet to adopt a people group!  I am reminded of what Jesus said, and I'm paraphrasing, "To those who have, more will be given.  To those who don't have; even what they have will be taken from them and given to those who have."  Meaning:  God blesses churches that seek to do God's will, taking the Gospel to all nations.  Those churches whose focus is elsewhere......well?!?

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 59 - July 16 - Carrollton to Erlanger, KY

Day 59 - July 16 - Carrollton to Erlanger, KY (52 miles)

We set out from Carrollton, after a wonderful breakfast with Francisco and Sue (I think she thought there were 10 guys on the Gloritrek team -- so much food).  For the first half of the ride we paralleled the Ohio River.  We rode in a fog that was quite heavy at times.  I thought about those who worship idols, who are also in a fog of hopelessness and despair, who have never known real love.

After 20 miles, we left the river and began climbing toward N Kentucky.  It was up and down for the remaining 22 miles, to Harry and Patti's home.  They live 10 miles south of the Erlanger Church of Christ.  We arrived by 10:30 AM, and after showers, we promptly set out for lunch at Skyline Chili!  Now, Patti knows how to entertain guests!  We also went for haircuts, and a pool!

Patti coordinated the Gloritrek event at the Erlanger church, and arranged for us to ride our bikes the 10 miles from their home to the church with a few folks from the church.  Sophie, a fourth grader, rode a few blocks with us to the church!  Reminded me of when our girls were little, when we first moved to Taiwan, and my girls enjoyed riding bikes!  What a blessing!

A great crowd turned out for the Gloritrek event, even exceeding all expectations!  It was a terrific evening as we see the Lord working in hearts and in His church!

Pictures to come later!

Thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 58 - July 15 - E Louisville to Carrollton, KY (52 mi)

Day 58 - July 15 - E Louisville to Carrollton, KY (52 mi / 2510 total mi)

We began the final 1/3 of our Gloritrek to NYC, with a clear blue sky and light winds.  We're now over 2500 miles, with maybe 1,000 to go!  Though Luey and Andy did quite a bit of riding around Louisville during the NACC last week, I was getting on my bike (except for a short jaunt on Friday to E Louisville) for the first time in more than a week!  It was a great break, but I was a little fearful that the time off might have some adverse effects.  However, what I discovered is that riding a bike is like riding a bike -- you never forget how!  Ha, ha!  :-)

We had a great morning cycling HWY 42 to Carrollton:  the rolling hills of Kentucky Bluegrass, the picketed fences, the thoroughbred horses grazing in the fields, the forests that provided shade and fresh air -- all were a great blessing and pleasant distraction to us.  And, we traveled much lighter this morning, as the beautiful Emily Roach transported our bags to Carrollton for us (she and her dad both works there).  Midway,  just when we needed a short break -- a roadside market with fresh peaches!  Oh, that all our days could be like this one!

We arrived in Carrollton and are being hosted by Francisco and Sue Leite.  They have been missionaries to Brazil, and Francisco is a graduate of CCU (in '67).  After a wonderful lunch, with homemade chicken pot pie, and strawberry shortcake; we are resting as the temperature outside climbs to 106.  Praise the Lord that we aren't out in it!

Tonight we will attend a men's meeting in a nearby town with the men of the English Christian Church.  Tomorrow we will head to Erlanger, where we're told the police, as well as a class of 2nd and 3rd graders are waiting for us!

We were just outside of Carrollton at 10:02 this morning, crossing the Kentucky River before it joins the Ohio River, when my watch alarm sounded the daily reminder to pray for the unreached nations.  As I prayed, I immediately thought of Sports and English Camp, in Taiwan.  The first full day of camp was coming to an end (Taiwan is 12 hours ahead of us in KY), and I prayed that the Lord would open young people's hearts to be receptive to the Good News they are hearing.  I also prayed for the faculty, "Lord, use them mightily and give them stamina!"  Could you join me, at 10:02 (as Luke 10:2 reminds us to pray to the Lord of the Harvest), to pray for UPG's?

Thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy