Talkin'

We have had some interesting discussion thus far. I think we have discussed abortion, poverty, the environment, and race a few times so far. Actually, the group discussion between the six of us tends to be one of the most thought-provoking parts of our day.

I tend to look for subtle things during our interactions with different people. Sometimes I find that what is said at the dinner table doesn't match up with some of the off-hand comments I hear sometimes. I think as Christians in this society, we tend to be very loose and careless sometimes about how we use words. We use a lot of divisive, agenda-setting, and diminishing terms to describe difference. Since when did some of the following words become synonymous and start meaning the same thing?:

ethnic=minority=person of color
low-income=uneducated
affluent=pious=deserving=responsible
christian=american=exceptional
presence of non-whites=diversity
social justice=liberal=radical Christianity
ghetto=black/african-american community

Today we're in Placerville, California at the foot of the Sierra Mountains. Some of us are pretty sore and beat down in our bodies. It's only day FIVE? It wasn't an easy day but we're coming along. We had our picture taken in Folsom this afternoon, it was nice. So many people were asking us about the trip. It does me good to see people excited for us and to know that we are in their minds and hearts at one time or another. It makes a trip like this credible.

from Davis, CA

We're all sitting in the shade at a beautiful park in Davis, California. I have just given up on importing pictures from my camera; I simply lack the technology savvy to do so! It feels good to rest, although our ride today was easier than yesterday, both physically and emotionally.

For those of you who know me and my distaste of lizards, you would be proud of me. Yesterday, as we changed our seventh (yes, that's right: SEVENTH!) flat tire, I took a potty break in a roadside ditch (behind lots of weeds) that I shared with a lizard. For the group, the seven flat tires were trying, but we learned a lot about our bikes and are rapidly improving our tire-change time. Hopefully we'll qualify to work for Tour de France riders after this summer.

Also yesterday, we shared in Antioch Covenant Church's Youth Group night. We had a good conversation about justice, and we continue to learn about what "Justice" means to each of us, and what it might mean for the team. It is a struggle to seek this desire of God's heart. Pray for us as we continue to learn across the country. And leave your thoughts about Justice here, too, if you have any. We welcome any addition to this process.

Today we rode across beautiful countryside, without any maintenance troubles, Thank God! Tonight, we potluck with a group from University Covenant Church here in Davis. Tomorrow: Sacramento!

-Emily

pics added by matt:

Round Table Pizza, and Decoto Rd.

Here we sit in a Round Table Pizza restaurant in Fremont, CA, having left Redwood City earlier this afternoon.

We'd really like to thank all the people of Peninsula Covenant who gave us a very gracious send-off yesterday!

We're excited that we're finally on the road, all packed up and on our way. Much thanks to Tim, Kathy, Elle, Sam, and Hannah Sandquist for being amazing hosts. We never would have gotten our bikes ready and off on this journey without your help.

And thanks to Ron Dahlin as well, who got us off on the right foot with our first day from Ocean Beach and plotted out our route for the next few days.

And we can't forget our amazing advisor, Rich Johnson, who is sacrificing so much of his time and energy this summer to make this possible.



Please continue to pray for our strength and endurance - we're gonna be hitting the Sierras later this week.

peace,
eric

I have been thinking a lot about what would be relevant to blog about. Is it important that you readers know how obsessed some of these bikers are with bears? Probably not, but now you know.

I know that my family is worried about me, which makes me feel loved. My friends have gone on having fun without me, and that makes me glad.

This trip has been surprisingly difficult for me thus far. I think the reason for that is the fact that I was sick Friday when I flew into San Fran. Word of advice: don't eat old spaghetti sauce. I'm thankful to my roommates and friends who had the strength to get me off the floor to the airport.

Right now I really want to watch Forest Gump. But Matt says that we get to bike through a dead camel desert or something or other near Fallon Nevada. Got to get ready.

Peace.
Andrea

Yesterday was the first leg of our cross country trip. IT WAS HARD! IT HURT! I WANTED TO CRY! But, I finished the 40 something miles. Thank God, Ron Dahlin and George took time to teach me the ropes. Here is what I've learned so far:

1. Eat Breakfast.

2. Eat some more.

3, Drink Lots of Water.

4. Know when to switch bike gears.

5. Never, ever skip lunch again.

6. Buy more water bottles.

7. Stretch.

-Marcus Simmons

Travel Day

Well, it's been a roller coaster day already. Some of us are currently sitting in airports, some of us are in the air. Some of us, myself included are leaving for the airport soon. Emily's grandma passed away this week and she's staying at home until Sunday for the funeral so our hearts are with her and her family until she joins us Sunday night, just in time to start biking on Monday morning.

Not much is running smoothly right now, but hopefully we'll get out to San Francisco sooner rather than later.

Hopefully we'll be able to update again in the next day or two.

Peace in chaos,
Matt