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

Day 57 - July 14 - E Louisville (Worship Day)

Day 57 - July 14 - E Louisville (Worship Day)

We spent the morning with the River Valley Christian Church, in Prospect, KY.  What a wonderful morning with God's people!  We were also thrilled to see the president of our mission, Doug and Penny Lucas, in attendance.  We shared with a combined Sunday Schools and then preached during worship. The response to our visit was a great blessing.  One young lady said she wants to be a missionary someday, and even gave Doug her contact info -- you can bet she'll be hearing from Team Expansion.  Another lady wrote me a very nice note, sharing that God had used me to speak directly to her heart and her need.  Praise the Lord!

Following worship we went to a Southern comfort food restaurant with the Roach family.  Aside from the unfortunate Skyline incident, we have had a terrific time with this wonderful family!  What did we eat that was "Southern-style:  Luey had chicken pot pie, Andy had a "Hot Brown," and I had meat loaf over mashed taters!  Yum!  We needed to get on the bikes TODAY, just to work off lunch.  This evening, we'll be eating dinner with another Team Expansion co-laborer here at the Roach home, Wendy Gibson.  Haven't seen her or Glen in forever.  They live on the West Coast and help with recruiting and new recruits in the area of deputation -- that is, support raising.

Please pray with me -- the 8th annual SPORTS AND ENGLISH CAMP began in Taiwan today.  Please pray for the 140+ campers and nearly 60 staff members (many just arrived from the US -- despite the typhoon that blew threw).  So, please pray that many, many will meet the Lord this week!  Pray for the faculty, especially Chad and Alicia Edwards, who are leading this week of camp!  Next year, it will be Brenda and I!  Would you like to be a part of our faculty -- now would be the time to start planning!

Tomorrow to Carrollton!
Thank you for praying!

Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 56 - July 13 - Louisville (Rest Day)

Day 56 - July 13 - Louisville (Rest Day)

We spent the day with the Roach family, cheering for Sam and his softball team; who were playing in a special olympics softball tournament.  What amazed Luey, Andy and me was the joy in everyone's faces, whether they won or lost.  What an inspiration and an example!  There was no one yelling at an umpire!  And, cheering was just as loud for a strike out as for a home run; as everyone gave their best effort!  How contagious the smiles -- "Pure joy!"

How many people have we known through the years who have had no "disabilities," but have walked through life with a frown on their faces?  And, even in the church?  Lord, may it not be so in me!  And, if it is, may I visit a special olympics competition very soon!

Well, there was one argument today; for which we were not to blame.  We cannot mention names, but a member of the Roach family disparaged Skyline Chili (a Cincinnati tradition that has no equal), and has even led her daughter astray.  How sad it is when we pass our misguided biases on to our children; which is a true mark of dysfunctionality that we fear only a 3-Way could cure!

And, if you are a poor soul who has never had Skyline; now would be a good time for a road trip to Cincinnati!  And, if you've been invited to the "Great Banquet," why not stop along the way and pick someone up who has not heard that they too are invited!

Sharing with the River Valley Christian Church tomorrow!  What a blessing to join in worship with the family of God!

PS - Luey has taken some great pictures of Louisville -- they are on the Flickr account!

Thank you for your prayers!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Days 52-55 - July 9-12 - Louisville

Days 52-55 - July 9-12 - Louisville (NACC)
East Louisville (8 miles)

We spent this week at the NACC (North American Christian Convention), in Louisville.  If you've never been to a NACC, I'd suggest you make plans to attend a future convention.  Thousands of people gather for Christian fellowship, to worship and reconnect.  We were delighted to be a part of it!  And, because it was held in Louisville, which is the city where Team Expansion's world headquarters is located, many from our mission organization were involved.  Also, we were especially glad to spend several days with Brenda, Emily (our oldest daughter) and Noah.  Brenda's folks also spent the week with us!  And, what a blessing to spend four days with God's people; to reconnect with old friends and to make many new ones!

Did you see my bike hanging from the rafters of the Team Expansion booth?  It was fun to watch people in the exhibit area walk by and then look up at the Gloritrek bike, sparking some great conversations about unreached people groups (UPG's).  Also, what a blessing to see the wall of UPG's, with old and young praying fervently to the Lord of the Harvest to open doors for the Gospel and send forth laborers into those fields!  (Did you know that your church can contact Team Expansion, and have the wall of UPG's sent to your church for a weekend?  What a powerful reminder of the task that still remains!)

The theme for this year was "Victorious," and all the messages were from the book of Revelation!  The preaching was outstanding!  The final challenge was given by Joni Eareckson Tada, who has spent the last 40+ years in a wheelchair.  What an inspiration she is, and an example of how to live a victorious life in Christ!  Living victoriously does not mean being free from adversity, but rather understanding from where our strength comes -- "'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." (Zech 4:6b)  What a blessing -- to live without fear in the face of hardships or trials -- for the victory comes from the Lord!  (And, after hearing from Joni, you'll not hear me complaining about having sore legs anymore!)

And, to this end we preach, to this end we ride; that the nations might know Jesus Christ -- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, through whom victory was purchased by His blood!

We said goodbye to family on Friday afternoon.  They headed back to Central Illinois, and we headed 8 miles east to the "Roach Motel."  (their description, not mine) That is, the home of Terry and Tracey Roach, who are hosting us on behalf of the River Valley Christian Church.  What a fun family!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

 

Day 51 - July 8 - Louisville, KY (NACC)

Day 51 - July 8 - Louisville, KY (7 mi / 2,446 total mi)

We made the short ride from SE Louisville to downtown for the NACC (North American Christian Convention.  Several of the Team Expansion folks were setting up the booth and wall of unreached people groups, and we joined in on the fun.  It was great to see our co-workers who serve full-time here in Louisville.

Many would dismiss the importance of the stateside personnel, but let me say that without them we could not do what we do overseas!  They are the true unsung heroes!  They do what they do because they love the Lord, and want to see His kingdom come around the world!  THey do not receive the praise they deserve!  Seriously, we're a team, and without their vital ministry, we would not be as effective.  Who would recruit?  Who would train?  Who would insure that our e-mail remains secure?  Who would publish reports?  Who would hold us accountable?  Who would provide expert advice on how to plant churches in distant lands?  Who would.......?  Granted, the churches that support us and pray for us are vital too?  But the roles for both the mission organization and the church are different.  Both are necessary for the missionary to be successful!

Support the missionary -- YES -- both in prayer and financially!  Support the missions organization -- YES -- both in prayer and financially!  WIthout them the 7,162 will not be reached!

See you at the NACC!  Look for the bike hanging from the rafters!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 50 - July 7 - Louisville, KY (Worship Day)

Day 50 - July 7 - Louisville, KY (Worship Day)  

Our 50th day on the road -- we drove the Ashley's new SUV to Southeast Christian Church this Lord's Day morning.  Southeast is one of the largest churches in the country and has partnered with Team Expansion in numerous projects around the world.  An old classmate from Cincinnati Bible College (now CCU), Dave Stone, is the senior minister.

He preached on a topic I've never heard anyone preach about on a Sunday morning -- pornography!  Very well done, Dave!  Having a son entering his teen years, it was well worth hearing!  How vigilant we must all be to protect our eyes, and the eyes of our children.  What an addiction that can destroy lives and families!

After worship we went out to Team Expansion's Emerald Hills and walked the trails.  It was beautiful out there on a Sunday afternoon.  What a day of rest and worship!  I thanked God for the 300+ full-time missionaries around the world who are on the front lines in reaching out to the UPG's of the world!  BTW, how many are there?

We are looking forward to the NACC, and a week of fellowship with thousands of the Lord's faithful.  We hope to see folks we've not seen in years.  We hope to be blessed and to be a blessing!

I'll be sharing about Gloritrek on Wednesday morning, at 8:30 AM.  Not sure of the location.

Hope to see you at the NACC!  You can see the wall of unreached peoples -- all 7,162 of them!  What will YOU do about that number?

Thank you for praying!

Dave, Luey and Andy

Day 49 - July 6 - Salem, IN to Louisville, KY

Day 49 - July 6 - Salem, IN to Louisville, KY (45 mi)

Sorry, this is a couple days late -- we were without internet for a couple days.

We were blessed on Saturday morning to have Steve and Susie Edwards with us as we rode into Louisville.  Steve rode with us, and Susie drove their car with our saddle bags.  Though it rained the entire morning, we made good time, arriving at the bridge across the Ohio River before 9:30 AM.

When it is raining, it is really hard to figure out what to wear.  Putting on a rain jacket is like bringing on a greenhouse effect -- instantly sweaty.  Of course, to not wear a jacket gets you instantly soaked.  I opted for not wearing a bike jersey and just wearing the rain jacket.

We rode on from the Ohio River to the home of Larry and Cathy Ashley, long-time friends of Mack and Elaine.  And, though they are vacationing in Europe, they still loaned us their home and new Buick SUV.  What a blessing!

Because it is a holiday weekend and the weekend before the NACC, we had difficulty arranging a church to host us this weekend.  No worries, we'll be attending Southeast on Sunday.

We thank you for praying -- as we are now more than 2/3 of the way into Gloritrek, and have seen over and over again, the Lord answering your prayers for our safety.  We are blessed!

Thank you for praying!
Dave, Luey and Andy