Monday, June 9, 2008

Utah, finally!

As I type this, I'm sitting in the Border Inn, just east of the Nevada-Utah border. We've finally gotten through Nevada - which is reason for celebration for the group.

Granted, we still have plenty of mountains left to look forward to. But thanks to the hospitality of the people of Grace Four Square Church in Ely, NV, we were able to take a much-needed rest day. We're still tired, but our muscles are feeling better and stronger. I'm confident that we're gaining more and more strength and endurance as we go.

The time in the desert has been interesting for us as a group. We just want to get through the desert and on to Fort Collins, back to churches, back to our mission. We miss the conversations, the learning opportunities, and all that comes with church visits. It's been tempting for me to just write off this part of the trip as unimportant and feel as if we're not accomplishing anything.

But as my parents reminded me, this portion of the trip is all part of the task that God has set before us. What we are doing here is laying the groundwork for the rest of the trip. And the time that we have here in the desert is allowing us to learn how to ride and work as a group before we are visiting churches more frequently. I pray that God is using this time to prepare and shape us for what lies ahead.

7 comments:

mary trujillo said...

Hurray for all of you. I keep you in my prayers.
mary Trujillo

Unknown said...

In the summer of 1989 two friends and I rode across the country raising money for Covenant World Missions and Friends of World Missions. We rode across NV as well...Highway 50 is awesome. Do you have a route map anywhere we can look at?

with infinite hope, Jim Stanley-Erickson

Co-Pastor, Arbor Covenant Church Madison, WI

The Runner said...

"To the desert go prophets and hermits; through deserts go pilgrims and exiles. Here the leaders of the great religions have sought the therapeutic and spiritual values of retreat, not to excape but to find reality"- Man In The Landscape: A historic View of the Esthetics of Nature

I thought of you all when I read this, I hope the desert was as good to you as it was for this guy.

Swedish Colombian said...

Love your blog, and am inspired by your quest. I have one suggestion for your site: put a link to your team profiles in your menu. You have a blog entry with a link, but not everyone might go through and look at each entry.

It's interesting stuff. God bless you and your aching muscles!
Chris Hagberg (Eric - I'm Karen Yeversky's sister)

Ron D said...

Congratulations on your accomplishment! It is great to see how you are all learning and growing stronger! I am inspired. When you hit those mountains, remember that God crated us to work, and right now your work is to climb each mountain as your days work, preparing you for all that is to come. Keep bikin' for Him who set this out before you!

Unknown said...

Congrats on making it through Nevada! We're looking forward to seeing you when you make it to Wisconsin.
Lisa Ross

Jerri said...

God Bless You All!!!
When are you going to be in Nebraska or there about? We have family in Lincoln/Omaha & would love to see you all & cheer you on. Keep Strong!
Danny Bruggeman's Mom, Jerri