Week 1: complete

Last night we arrived in Spokane, WA and today we're all enjoying an off day resting and sightseeing in Spokane with our amazing hosts, Whitney and Josh.  Even though we've only been on the road a few days, everyone is completely worn out due to the fact their bodies haven't fully adjusted to the harsh reality of tour life.  

Over the past week the team has been bonding and just focusing on getting to know each other.  It's been pretty clear from the first day or two that this group is very tightly knit.  Even churches have commented that of all the teams they've hosted over the years, this one seems especially close and laughs more than others they've seen.  Everyday I am more and more appreciative to be apart of this community. It's truly a joy to get to know each and every one of this people and to hear their stories while riding and serving/supporting along side of them.  

Although the first days of tour have been fun and full of amazing scenery and experiences, we've already had a couple of participants get injured.  While all are using extreme caution on the road, sometimes accidents happen.  One girl in particular had a really nasty fall from hitting a pothole.  However, she's handled the whole situation like a champ and has been such an inspiration to the entire team.  

We continue on our journey tomorrow morning and will be crossing our first state border into Idaho.  The team will continue to interact with churches, schools, and random strangers on the road as we connect with various communities across the country.

Prayers for safety are our greatest request right now.  Road cycling is fairly new to many of the participants, and over the next couple of weeks we'll be encountering some pretty difficult terrain.

Here are a few pictures from the last few days that will better show what life has been like lately.  If you have any words, verses, prayers, or quotes of inspiration or encouragement for me and the team, please pass them on to me either on Facebook or send them to my email: saraba1991@gmail.com.  It's great to get feedback from family and friends that are following our journey.  It's those little thoughts and prayers that help us move on down the road everyday. 

Blessings,

Sara

P.S. If you would like more consistent updates, follow me on Instagram.  I post out there multiple times a day due to the easy accessibility.  Blogging is great, but it's much more time consuming and I don't always have wifi.

Sometimes after you climb a killer hill you have to play on the playground at the top and ask all the kids to push you.

Post training ride to Seattle

Seattle and Mt. Ranier

Parking like a pro

They're off! Beginning the first official ride east.

Riding is tough, but naps are great.

The team heading off for their last leg up Stevens Pass

Post climbing stretches with Amanda

And now, for the well deserved descent down the Cascades

Anxiously awaiting a group of very tired cyclists at a rest stop.

Tour life= showers at a campground and walking back to the church with towels on your head.  I'm so very thankful for Carmen and all she contributes to the team as one of my co-leaders.

t-minus 3 weeks

On Tuesday the semester came to a close, and tomorrow I'm moving back to Athens to begin Maymester which will run through June 4th.  Early on the morning of the 5th I'll be hopping on a plane and flying directly to Seattle to meet with the team and begin tour.  Honestly, right now these 6 days of summer break I've had have not even begun to repair the physical and mental tole this semester has taken on me.

This semester has brought huge challenges that have taught me that I have limits.  I cannot be at every meeting, make perfect grades on everything, or say yes whenever asked to do something or be somewhere.  I've known for years I have trouble saying no to people, it's just that this semester it has become an issue.  In effort to maintain my perfectionistic, type A tendencies, I have stupidly taken on more than I can handle.  I have survived thus far, but only because I believe God wanted to humble me and show me that I am human.  I've found myself frequently saying yes to everyone except God.  And, when I do say yes to Him, it's more of a "hey God, I have 5 minutes to talk to you while I walk to my first class," rather than actually conversing and listening.  

This brings me to my latest life ambition: to slow down and just be for a while.  These two verses keep running through my head as I think about my self-induced chaos:

"Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

and

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah: 41:10

Actually, I should be honest.  My brain had me convinced that this was once verse that read "Be still and know that I am God.  I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Even though I got the verses wrong, I got the the content right…. 

Thankfully, tour will allow me to slow down for a little while.  Even though my leadership responsibilities will be a lot more time consuming and stressful than my role as a participant last year, it'll be impossible not to stop and reflect on God's creation on the days I get to bike.  I can't wait to be back on that too tiny of a bike seat, biking the mountains and valleys on Montana and everywhere to the east and west of that state.  I look forward to spending time in community with my team and learning to grow in Christ together as we ride this country one pedal stroke at a time.

However, before I head off for this journey, I have a little less than $1000 to raise.  It was my goal to work and earn all of my funds this year without having to ask for help, but considering I leave in 3 weeks, I am going ahead and mentioning that I do in fact in need help, friends.  Please only donate if you feel lead.  I know many of you have mission trips and adventures of your own, but if you do wish to help me out, I would be very appreciative.  I can wholeheartedly say this is a cause I truly believe in. If you're interested in donating, checkout my donations page on this blog, or contact me.

Until I land on the ground in Seattle, I'll continue to work, study, and ride my bike when I get the chance.  I ask for your prayers for all the above mentioned concerns as I know that returning to Athens tomorrow will bring incredible stress once again.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions about the cause, tour, or where your donations will be spent.

Blessings,

Sara 

Road of Resistance

With all the urgency of fundraising and training, I've been bad about posting about the actual cause we're biking for.  I posted this documentary last year before I left, but it's the best visual for showing people what the refugees we're riding for are experiencing. (note: this documentary was not made by Venture, but it is about the same cause and people we're biking for)

In short, the documentary talks about the situation in Burma and "the road" that they must travel in order to reach the Thailand boarder.  While the video is a few years old, things really haven't changed much since.  It's important to remember that this is the longest running civil war in the history of the world, so this is what these people have been experiencing since about World War II.  

Even though it's hard to see, I really encourage you to set aside 40 minutes to watch.  Once you're done watching, I encourage you to take a moment and just pray for the situation in this region (Thailand/Burma boarder). 

**Warning: the video is graphic in parts, so watch with caution.**

Isaiah 1:17 

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

I'll probably post again on Sunday about what's been happening here lately, so stay tuned. :)

Blessings,

Sara