Day 69 - July 26 - Malvern to East Canton, OH (12 mi)
No, that's not a mis-type -- only 12 miles today from Kevin and Cindy's home, to the church building in Malvern and then on to Indian Run Christian Church. We had a great day today!
We spent the late morning into the afternoon at a lake nearby Malvern. The church had arranged for a boat and picnic at the lake. Lots of folks came out for the picnic -- a great time of fellowship. Several of us attempted to stay on a tube, pulled by Vaughn's boat. It was like riding a wild bull! We were also surprised to see Tyler and Tanner Vincent, from Livonia, MI; whose grandparents, John and Mona, live on a farm outside of Malvern. John is celebrating his 75th birthday on Monday! Anyway, we've known the Vincent's for 30 years -- since I was an intern at Indian Run. Tyler Vincent just graduated from the Air Force Academy and is on his way to Pensacola to learn to fly jets! Tanner may follow in big brother's footsteps! I mention all these because many years ago the Lord used the Indian Run Church, and the Vincent family in particular kind of adopted me into their family. What a blessing to fellowship with all these fine folks!
Later, there were about a dozen of us that biked the 6 miles from Malvern to Indian Run, ranging in age from about 15 to 65. Brenda, Noah, Mack and Elaine arrived in Malvern in time for Noah to ride with us! We had a great time following the Gloritrek signs. There were also a photographer and journalist tracking us. When we arrived at Indian Run, they had supper waiting on us -- a potluck dinner and BBQ. Luey had three desserts! I had coconut creme pie! Wonderful!
Indian Run hosted a Gloritrek event, and it was wonderful to see so many who were such a blessing 30 years ago, as well as those who have partnered with us over the last 15 years in Taiwan! Terry Bailey, the preacher, has another book coming out soon -- looking forward to it. His first book, a Christian science fiction book, "The Pilate Plot," should be made into a movie! Luey and Andy learned to play the Corn Holes game with Terry -- they had a great time!
We stayed with another couple who has had a huge impact in our lives -- Larry and Sharon Smith. SO many memories! What a blessing to be a part of the family of God! What a difference the love of Christ makes! How utterly lost are those who do not know the Author of grace! How utterly hopeless must be those who place their hope in the stuff of earth, rather than the Source of love! What are we, who have received blessing upon blessing, willing to do so than those who have not heard will have opportunity to experience the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Day 68 - July 25 - Coshocton to Malvern, IL
Day 68 - July 25 - Coshocton to Malvern, IL (68 mi)
I made a startling discovery today! My speedometer/odometer is off slightly. For every 60 miles we ride, we are shorted 1.5 miles. So, in reality, we've biked farther than the total 2825 miles I've recorded, a whopping 70 miles farther -- more than an average day of riding. And, that puts us at nearly 2900 miles. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but what if those 70 miles were all up hill, or into a head wind. Okay, enough about that -- for the moment! :-)
We were so blessed today to have Kevin and Cindy Grindstaff drive down to Coshocton very early this morning. Cindy hauled our bags back to Malvern and Kevin rode with us. It was Kevin who alerted me to the discrepancy with my speedometer. Anyway, Kevin had charted our course and broke wind for us nearly all morning. (It was a very hilly day, but only a prelude of what is ahead -- the mtns of PA!) When we arrived at their home, Cindy had a great lunch already laid out for us! Wonderful!
Tonight, First Christian Church, Malvern, will host a Gloritrek event! We have had three churches in the Canton area who have supported us in Taiwan for many years -- First Christian, in Malvern; Indian Run, in East Canton; and First Christian, in Canton. We'll get to visit all three on Gloritrek! Tomorrow, more than a dozen cyclist from FCC (Malvern) will join Luey, Andy, Noah and me for a bike ride of about 6 miles to the Indian Run Christian Church. That's right, Lord willing, Noah and Brenda (along with Mack and Elaine), will make it out here from IL tomorrow afternoon, so Noah can take part in the short bike ride. Noah can ride a little ways, with not much pain, if he doesn't strain as he cranks.
Back to the slightly off speedometer, it reminds me of several churches we have encountered on Gloritrek. They are startled to find out that they support many worthwhile missions, but not a single one is working among an UPG. That's not unusual, since 9 out of every 10 FT missionaries around the world is working among a people group that is more than 5% Christian. Yet, there are still more than 7,000 people groups who are still in desperate need! Fortunately, Team Expansion can help them adopt an unreached people group (UPG), and begin their own Gloritrek! (You can see these and more statistics on www.joshuaproject.net.)
Regardless of the distance traveled, the Lord has been with us all the way! So, thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Day 67 - July 24 - Delaware to Coshocton, OH
Day 67 - July 24 - Delaware to Coshocton, OH (79 mi / 2808 total mi)
Rob F fixed us breakfast this morning, on his 50th birthday! Thanks, Rob! I hope you get a new road bike for your b'day!
We rode east with a cool NE wind into us for the better part of the morning. We were aided by riding two bike paths for a total of about 25 miles. It was nice to be off the highway -- and a fairly flat ride. When we got to the Newark area, we were going to get on Rt 16, but there was a sign that said "No Bicycles." So, we stayed on "Old Rt 16" and it was a better road than the new Rt 16 Expressway!
The last 20 miles was more north than east, and directly into a head-wind. I kept reminding myself that "this is the last day we'll be carrying our saddle bags. Tomorrow Kevin and CIndy Grindstaff, from Malvern will join us. Then, we'll be in the Canton area for the weekend, with Brenda, Noah, Mack and Elaine coming on Friday. And, all next week we'll have a support vehicle. PTL!
Tonight we're in a motel room here in Coshocton; and, yes, we know we aren't in Millersburg, as our calendar and map had indicated. Coshocton, despite the wind, was a better call, and puts us on a better path toward Malvern tomorrow.
It's time for supper! So, thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
Rob F fixed us breakfast this morning, on his 50th birthday! Thanks, Rob! I hope you get a new road bike for your b'day!
We rode east with a cool NE wind into us for the better part of the morning. We were aided by riding two bike paths for a total of about 25 miles. It was nice to be off the highway -- and a fairly flat ride. When we got to the Newark area, we were going to get on Rt 16, but there was a sign that said "No Bicycles." So, we stayed on "Old Rt 16" and it was a better road than the new Rt 16 Expressway!
The last 20 miles was more north than east, and directly into a head-wind. I kept reminding myself that "this is the last day we'll be carrying our saddle bags. Tomorrow Kevin and CIndy Grindstaff, from Malvern will join us. Then, we'll be in the Canton area for the weekend, with Brenda, Noah, Mack and Elaine coming on Friday. And, all next week we'll have a support vehicle. PTL!
Tonight we're in a motel room here in Coshocton; and, yes, we know we aren't in Millersburg, as our calendar and map had indicated. Coshocton, despite the wind, was a better call, and puts us on a better path toward Malvern tomorrow.
It's time for supper! So, thanks for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Day 66 - July 23 - Washington CH to Delaware, OH
Day 66 - July 23 - Washington CH to Delaware, OH (58 mi / 2729 total miles)
The morning fog shrouded us as we rode from Bob and Carol's up the 3C Highway toward Columbus. We made good time, aided by a slight SW breeze and averaged 16 MPH to Columbus. We joined up with the Olentangy Bike Trail, which goes north-south through Columbus for 13 miles.
We arrived at Rob and Melissa Fenstermaker's home right at noon. Rob is the missions chairman for the Worthington Christian Church. WCC does a great job in the area of missions, supporting several mission works to UPG's. We visited the WCC building -- they really are cutting edge in a lot of ways!
Tonight, Rob and Melissa are hosting a Gloritrek event in their home, and we hope to see several old friends! More later -- supper is served!
POSTSCRIPT: We had an absolutely wonderful evening with a small group, hosted by the Fenstermaker's! Among those attending were Doug and Terri Swan, who I went to college with. Terri, and her twin sister, Gerri, were two of my closest friends. And, Doug, there's not space to tell about all we did while in college, besides study, of course! :-)
About the vision for Gloritrek, 7 1/2 years ago, was it metaphorical or literal? Was the Lord telling me that I was going to recover, or that this was something that I would one day do with my son? Both, I believe! The Apostle John, in Revelation 7, had a vision too -- of the throne room in Heaven. He saw, "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." Was it metaphorical or do you believe it can and will happen? If you believe it will happen, do you believe YOU are a part of God's plan to reach the UPG's? I don't know about you, but I want to be in on the amazing things God is, and will do, around the world for His Glory!
Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
The morning fog shrouded us as we rode from Bob and Carol's up the 3C Highway toward Columbus. We made good time, aided by a slight SW breeze and averaged 16 MPH to Columbus. We joined up with the Olentangy Bike Trail, which goes north-south through Columbus for 13 miles.
We arrived at Rob and Melissa Fenstermaker's home right at noon. Rob is the missions chairman for the Worthington Christian Church. WCC does a great job in the area of missions, supporting several mission works to UPG's. We visited the WCC building -- they really are cutting edge in a lot of ways!
Tonight, Rob and Melissa are hosting a Gloritrek event in their home, and we hope to see several old friends! More later -- supper is served!
POSTSCRIPT: We had an absolutely wonderful evening with a small group, hosted by the Fenstermaker's! Among those attending were Doug and Terri Swan, who I went to college with. Terri, and her twin sister, Gerri, were two of my closest friends. And, Doug, there's not space to tell about all we did while in college, besides study, of course! :-)
About the vision for Gloritrek, 7 1/2 years ago, was it metaphorical or literal? Was the Lord telling me that I was going to recover, or that this was something that I would one day do with my son? Both, I believe! The Apostle John, in Revelation 7, had a vision too -- of the throne room in Heaven. He saw, "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." Was it metaphorical or do you believe it can and will happen? If you believe it will happen, do you believe YOU are a part of God's plan to reach the UPG's? I don't know about you, but I want to be in on the amazing things God is, and will do, around the world for His Glory!
Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
Day 65 - July 22 - Wilmington to Washington CH, OH
Day 65 - July 22 - Wilmington to Washington CH, OH (28 mi)
We said good-bye to the Vance's, who have blessed me more than I have space to write, and set out from the church building. Dale, the preacher, came early to open the building and pray with us! Though it was raining, my heart was full as we pedaled through Wilmington. This community has been through a lot in the last few years, but the Gospel is advancing.
No where is that more evident than in Sabina, just up the road from Wilmington, where my friend from grade school, Troy Villars, preaches. The church is in the middle of a building campaign -- a complete relocation. Troy took us to what they're doing, and what they have plans to do! PTL!
We said good-bye to Troy, and the rain stopped as we rode through Washington Court House (CH), and rode out of town to the east, and Bob and Carol Walisa's home. They have a beautiful home in the woods, and were wonderful hosts! Bob and Carol's trees like to make faces at us, though! Bob goes on a lot of missions trips, so we had much to talk about.
Thanks to Ray Vance, another of my grade school friends, and the preacher at South Side, they already knew all about me. Most of the stories Ray has told about me, going back to Jr and Sr high, I remember differently. In fact, in most of the stories, I was nearly completely innocent! :-) Ray is in Haiti right now, but the South Side church hosted a fine Gloritrek event, and had a very good crowd out on a Monday evening. Bob, Luey, Andy and I almost missed the meeting, because we were having too much fun eating and talking!
I'm thinking about the value of retired folks in missions: what a blessing they can be to the nations! What a new lease on life the Lord can give them as they serve the Lord cross-culturally! Ask Bob, he'll tell you how missions has impacted his life!
Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
We said good-bye to the Vance's, who have blessed me more than I have space to write, and set out from the church building. Dale, the preacher, came early to open the building and pray with us! Though it was raining, my heart was full as we pedaled through Wilmington. This community has been through a lot in the last few years, but the Gospel is advancing.
No where is that more evident than in Sabina, just up the road from Wilmington, where my friend from grade school, Troy Villars, preaches. The church is in the middle of a building campaign -- a complete relocation. Troy took us to what they're doing, and what they have plans to do! PTL!
We said good-bye to Troy, and the rain stopped as we rode through Washington Court House (CH), and rode out of town to the east, and Bob and Carol Walisa's home. They have a beautiful home in the woods, and were wonderful hosts! Bob and Carol's trees like to make faces at us, though! Bob goes on a lot of missions trips, so we had much to talk about.
Thanks to Ray Vance, another of my grade school friends, and the preacher at South Side, they already knew all about me. Most of the stories Ray has told about me, going back to Jr and Sr high, I remember differently. In fact, in most of the stories, I was nearly completely innocent! :-) Ray is in Haiti right now, but the South Side church hosted a fine Gloritrek event, and had a very good crowd out on a Monday evening. Bob, Luey, Andy and I almost missed the meeting, because we were having too much fun eating and talking!
I'm thinking about the value of retired folks in missions: what a blessing they can be to the nations! What a new lease on life the Lord can give them as they serve the Lord cross-culturally! Ask Bob, he'll tell you how missions has impacted his life!
Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy
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
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
Sunday, July 21, 2013
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
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
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