Day 16: REST DAY in Kansas City
Day 16........A Day of REST
Miles Covered: 0
Inside Temperature: 70 degrees.......ah, it feels so nice.
UP TO DATE TRIP STATS.........(CHARLESTON TO KC)
Days Gone: 16
Days of Riding:14
Days of Rest:2
Total Miles on the Bike: 1,202
Average Miles per day: 75
Calories Consumed: appr. 60,000
Body Weight Before the trip: 162.2 pounds
Current Body Weight: 163 pounds
% body fat before trip: 11.4
Current body fat %: 9.3
WHAT I WILL DO ON MY DAY OFF.........
See picture above. The goal is to move as little as possible. I've considered only walking on my hands to give my legs a break, but that might be a little difficult after awhile.
Currently, I'm hanging out at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. Since 1999, "IHOP" has been a place of continual worship and prayer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at first, but I've gotta say that this place is amazing. I've truly been encouraged and uplifted by spending time here. We hung out here last night and it was a great time to pray, reflect, and sing. I am currently blogging from "Higher Ground," the coffee shop that is connected to IHOP. Check out the website www.ihop.org
Also, today I have the chance to hang out with Tyler Scheer, an old, dear friend from back home in Waukesha, WI. When I was in high school, Tyler and I quite possibly logged over 2,000+ hours on my driveway playing hoops.....sun, rain, or snow......early in the morning or late at night. In our vintage one-on-one games, Tyler is infamous for sticking his hands deep in a snowbank (in 17 degree weather) and then immediately nailing three-pointers in my face from 25 feet.
TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT.......
I have the chance to talk very briefly about Ethiopia and my summer in spandex at a church here in K.C.
ANNE MCCAIN COMES TO K.C........(see picture above)
I'm grateful to have Anne McCain, my friend who works with Food for the Hungry here in K.C. Anne made the trip from Virginia to meet with a church that is helping sponsor orphans in Zeway, as well as cheer us on in the ride!
Anne's work with the Hunger Ride has been invaluable since Day 1. There's no way I'd be doing this without her guidance and insight.
WHY ARE YOU HELPING PEOPLE IN A FAR AWAY PLACE WHEN THERE'S PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP HERE IN THE U.S.?
This is a question that I receive often, and I wanted to touch on it briefly.
Anywhere you go, and in all of our respective communities, there are people in who are poor, sick, and in great need. As followers of Christ, we are commmanded to love, serve, and be of help to the poor. But when we talk about poverty in the U.S. in relation to poverty overseas, we are talking about two very different realities. It's important to note that EVEN THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE IN THE TOP 20% OF THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. There are people who do need help in the U.S., and we should help these people. I do think that God calls people to different missions in different places.
As far as the Hunger Ride goes, HIV/AIDS in Africa is the greatest global crisis in the history of mankind. It far surpasses any plaque or war that has ever occurred. Over 26 million are infected in Africa right now. Over 9,000 die per day. That's 3 1/2 times 9/11 every single day. I think that a common response to this might be, "That's so many people, and so overwhelming, does it really make a difference whether I do anything or not." One thing that I hope and pray comes out of the Hunger Ride is that people would not see HIV/AIDS in Africa as "just another need." Instead, my prayer is that we in west would realize the importance of rallying together to bring about change. Progress has been made, and progress can continue to be made. Food for the Hungry's moto is "ONE AT A TIME" ........meaning this.......instead of being overwhelmed at the mass numbers that die everyday, if we shift our way of thinking and consider the individual orphan, father, mother, grandma or grandpa that dies from HIV/AIDS.........and see that each one of these individuals is a human being that God deeply loves and is concerned for........when our thoughts go to one human life instead of some gigantic number.......we then see that each person dies "one at a time." But more importantly, we also see that one person can be saved "one at a time." I can't save the world, and neither can you. But I can help one, two, or three human beings. When I was in Ethiopia in December, I was blown away as I visited home after home and talked to families who are part of the child sponsorship program. (individuals in the U.S. who give $28 a month to support a child in another country) The homes that I saw were sometimes the size of a walk-in closet here in the U.S. I would always ask each family, "How do you survive?" Every single family without question said that they get by......they literally survive because of their sponsor through Food for the Hungry in the U.S.
3 Comments:
Great post Tommy!
Kristen still thinks you need to be on the Today Show sharing your story, but heck I'm proud of ya wherever you are. Keep the miles rolling and the ministry flowing.
Memphis is behind ya, but know we're right there with ya. Kristen and I, as well as our little girl (Oct. 06), will be wearing spandex for the rest of the summer in order to show our support for every mile.
Last thing: Can you put an end to the web rumors that instead of actually riding across the country you are resting up somewhere in the U.S. taking random pics and posting on your blog in order to support your Chili's addiction?
I am surprised that "Ride Sally Ride" has not been in your head. Or "Get your motor runnin', head out on the highway!"
Thanks for stopping in KC...we'll look forward to having you back anytime you wish to come. Like I said, Once a friend of Heartland, ALWAYS a friend of Heartland.
You have our prayers!
Bones, you're hilarious and I love reading your blog! I cannot wait for you to get out to Denver - one more week! Also, I have heard that Karla, Lyle & Marcy all plan to ride with you from Denver-Estes and maybe on to Granby. Also, there are two other guys (Curtis & Dan) who are thinking about it!
your fan club awaits your arrival,
love ya, sooz
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