URGENT: Prayer update for the cycle team

Thank you for your prayers thus far for our Wycliffe and JAARS colleagues. They have been cycling from the JAARS center in Waxhaw, NC to the Wycliffe USA headquarters in Orlando to share the message of Bible translation with churches along the route.

Jon Barker, one of our JAARS riders, was involved in an accident this morning near Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, Fla., and will be undergoing surgery later today to repair damage to his femur and leg. Please pray for healing for Jon and safety for the rest of the ride team as they continue making the journey to Orlando later this afternoon. Jon will be joined by his family today as they are en route to Amelia Island at this time.

We will update this blog once more details are available, but please feel free to leave comments and encouragement for Jon and the team here in the comments section of this post.

-Dustin Moody
dustin_moody@wycliffefoundation.org

Provision

This is a picture of my son, Austin and my daughter Abbi when we departed Waxhaw, NC on Saturday. It's been a very fun time riding our way to Florida. If I stop to think too hard about the miles we have put in, I might not get myself up off my air matress tomorrow morning! This has definitely been a God event and we have seen His hand of protection and provision for this team. I struggeld with a migrane the first 2 days of this event and the outpouring of prayer support has sustained me. This morning I lost a medication I take every day. One of the guys told me this morning that he was having his prayer team pray for me. God sustained me through the day until I could get my prescription refilled at a CVS just a block up from a church that we are staying at tonight. So even in my ability to loose things, God has a solution.

[Photos: not in time order

- a shot of the group riding down the road after entering FL this afternoon (taken low from handlebar level.

- one of the churches we passed today, there were three people waiting on the porch for us to pass by. So we stopped and visited and had a time of prayer together. Pastor Charles sent us off with sweet and wonderful prayer!

- one of our sag stops today showing the van and trailer and some of the bikes. The table with food is not shown. (Don't want you all to be jealous....)]



About 30 miles down the road we came across a church that had some people on the porch and we waved and greeted --- then about 20 feet down the road started thinking "Hey we need to stop and go back..." -Slow thinkers. So we went back and had a nice visit with Pastor Charles and two church members. One of them said she was older than everyone of us, and we have a couple guys in the 'experienced' ages, but sure enough she was older and we all laughed as she gives credit to God and is doing Great! We visited briefly and then prayed together. It was more fruit from the efforts of those who went before us through prayer and 'hands on' delivering the information about us being there. If you look closely at the picture you can see the sign on the door that was part of the information left the weekend before we got there. It was a great reminder that God has his people and we are not alone - even if we don't know who or where they are ... they are there.

Tonight we are at Crossroads Family Worship Center in Callahan, FL. Pastor Herb took us all out for Mexican food after we cleaned up. It's been neat to have such hospitality and to be just welcomed in - a common occurrence these last few days! I think he's running to the store to pickup some food for our breakfast tomorrow - very kind...sure enough. Breakfast stuf has been purchased and delivered, access to the washing machine, keys, ... so kind.

We haven't had our meeting yet, so I'm not sure what details lie ahead for tomorrow. It is supposed to be another 100 mile day.

We're praying for more meetings with people like we had today. It was a sweet day in that regard! It has been great to meet those who are equally commited to God

It's almost 10 - so I'm signing off for today. It was a great day in every regard!!

Retiring

Today was a disappointing day at the end. (I realize that I always seem to be grousing on this blog, and that's not really how I feel about this event) I was forced to retire by saddle-sores after 384 miles in nearly four days of riding. I feared problems with my knee. I wasn't prepared to be defeated by something as mundane as saddle-sores. That's where the 21 years since the last time I did something like this made themselves felt, I guess! :-)
I'm so proud of the guys I've ridden with. God has forged a team out of a disparate bunch of cyclists who had never ridden before. It is soooo much fun to ride with them! I'm so blessed by the church-people we've met along the way. May our effort encourage them to "Go the distance" in the field that God has placed before them for harvest. I'll help with the SAG and watch the others ride on with (the proper sort of) envy.

Tuesday's ride was just another 'ride through the countryside', 102 miles through backcountry roads from one town in southern Georgia to another in northern Florida. The terrain was virtually flat, evidenced by our GPS that showed the elevation above sea level hovering somewhere between 27' and 110' all day long. As we left Patterson, GA this morning, the town newspaper reporter came over, snapped our picture and promised us it would show up next week Wednesday in their weekly publication. Check http://www.theblacksheartimes.com/ for more info. From L to R: Doug (Florida), Ben (N.C.), Ed (Michigan), Gordon and Dan (both from Texas), Jon, Jeff, and Rollie (all from N.C.). Rollie is our SAG driver.

The scariest moment of all came when one of the many ubiquitous logging trucks simultaneously met up with yet another ubiquitous logging truck going in the opposite direction and caught us like dead ducks on the side of the narrow two lane road with very little shoulder. For the vast majority of time, drivers have been courteous and gracious but today's incident almost forced us off the road and reminds us that your continual prayers are effective and totally necessary.
Tomorrow we head to Bunnell, Fl near Palm Coast, another 112 miles. We're feeling the effects of all the many miles but we're also determined to finish what we started. Thank you for staying with us. We couldn't do this without any of you. It takes teamwork, in the same way that it takes teamwork to get God's Word to the Bibleless peoples of this world. Thanks for being part of the team.

A week before the ride, our SAG (Support And Gear) driver along with his wife, drove the entire distance of our 635 mile ride and personally delivered a small green tote bag that contained info about Wycliffe and about our ride to every single church along the route. As we ride, we pray for these churches as we pass them but today was a special surprise. A church in southern Georgia had erected a hand made sign welcoming our group of 7 cyclists. We stopped, personally autographed the sign and had our pictures taken. Each church along the route, more than 225 of them, or, about one every 3 miles, has the God-given potential to make a difference in the global task of Bible Translation. We're extremely grateful for each and every church that is involved in God's Commission of reaching every tribe, and tongue, and language, and people.

Today's ride also represents the halfway point of our journey. We can tell we're moving south as the mercury soared to 95 F with few clouds and fewer areas to stop at that afford shade. One of our stops was an old abandoned convenience store that had no conveniences whatsoever. And the heat is starting to take its toll as well on all of us cyclists. Higher temperatures mean more stops with more ice and more cold drinks. This slows our pace but keeps us hydrated and healthy. Doug had another flat tire and had problems with his rear wheel but Rollie, our SAG driver has been magnanimous as he jumps in quickly and assists with any and every problem. We praise God for helpful hands and willing hearts. And for you as well as we start the 2nd half of our Wycliffe Southeast Cycle Chase 2009, headed for Wycliffe USA headquarters in Orlando. Tomorrow we anticipate spending the night in Callahan, Florida.

Century Two

A hundred miles into yesterdays ride and I was honestly beginning to think we had bit off a little more than we could chew. We underestimated our time in the hills, Columbia traffic, a bike shop parts run and a flat repair. We were an hour and a half late into Orangeburg. Today was a whole different story. Getting away from the worst of the traffic and major hills we were able to keep our team together in a nice paceline the entire day. It’s been great getting to know the guys and learning to function like a real team.
We had a special treat waiting for us in Statesboro (GA) tonight. A member of Grace Community Church (our host church) found out about the ride and offered to put the whole team up for the night in their hotel. Thanks again Jon (and Nathan and Grace!) and Pastor Mike. We appreciate your heart for your community and for those still waiting for Scripture in their own language.
Today was 112 miles, a beautiful ride. We have a short day tomorrow, 92 miles to Patterson, GA. Thanks for your prayers for the team. We ask you to pray for the Bible translation needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, so many are waiting.
Lets ride!
Doug
Pictures 1) We're loving our team jerseys 2) Georgia line--229 miles south of Waxhaw

We've gotten two good days in, for a total of 230 miles. The perfect riding conditions made today's century ride (100 miles) one of the best centuries I've ever ridden. The South Carolinian hills gave way to shorter rolling hills which in turn gave way to almost flat topography as we entered Georgia. We're only about 50 miles from Savannah, Georgia in the little town of Statesboro. The elevation is less than 200 feet. It was hot and humid today, with the humidity breaking through to the 100% level. The rain was short lived and we barely got wet but it does remind us of where we actually are.
Our group of 7 riders has grown into a cohesive formation and today's ride of 112 miles was proof of that. There's good communication and no one complains when a rider needs the larger group to slow down a little bit.
Today I was informed that a Bible Study group up in Glen Arbor, Michigan which I love to attend whenever we're in Leelanau County, has agreed to sponsor the trip. I'm so grateful for all those that are committing to be a part of the larger task, to provide quality training for 45 Congolese Bible translators.
Pictures: riding the paceline; what it looks like from the back of the pack.
Second picture: You're right, I never knew there was Dover, Georgia before today either. From L to R; Ed, Dan (from Dallas) and Doug, (from Orlando; Doug is the organizer of the bike ride and the same person I rode with in the cross country ride in 2007.)

Southeast Cycle Chase on the Roll

We made it. It has been a very long day. The fellowship and BBQ chicken at Trinity Presbyterian Church was worth every mile. Thanks to Bubba, Terry, Jeff and Pastor John and the whole crew! We had a wonderful time.

The JAARS send off was great. We loaded luggage, slathered sun screen, pumped tires, took the obligatory group shot at the sign, had prayer. A half dozen locals joined our group including a motorcycle with videographer. Thanks Merle and Bob! Bob (the videographer) actually spent the whole day with the team. Next time we’ll go for some JAARS helicopter aerial footage.

Hills galore. I actually like hills. I rode more Carolina hills in the first two miles than I have seen in a year and half in Florida.

Had a chance to chat with a few Columbia Int’l students interested in Bible translation. Good to meet Allison and friends.

We did 118 miles today. 8 hours in the saddle. 112 miles tomorrow. Little tired and it’s getting late. Signing off till then.

Doug

Pictures 1) BBQ with the great folks at Trinity Presbyterian in Orangeburg 2) hanging with prospective Bible translators at Columbia Int'l University 3) video--Ed's ramp assist takeoff

The JAARS Center is located in Waxhaw, NC and is the the place where Wycliffe's technical services are located, services such as computing, IT technology, aviation, shipping of materials and other forms of transportation, plus a host of other services. Our dream was to have the bike ride go from one Wycliffe Center to another, in this case, Orlando, where the home offices for Wycliffe USA are located. The picture shows the team early on Saturday morning as we were about to leave for Orangeburg, SC, a distance of 118 miles. Along the way, we stopped in Columbia, SC, and had the opportunity to pose with a Confederate soldier standing at attention at the State Capitol. He looked hot in the 85 degree temperature.

Today was a long day but we are encouraged by your prayers as we continue on our adventure down to Orlando. We are committed to see 45 nationals in the Democratic Republic of Congo get the proper Bible translation training so they can do Bible translation in their country and the bike ride in support of that. Thank you for being a part of this important work.