We’re on the last 600 miles. I can’t even fathom that statement. Six hundred miles is a LONG way to race a bicycle. That means Rob has already knocked out at least 2400 miles in 9 days. Rob is powering on in the strength of God, fueled by your prayer. He is living on the words of encouragement and donations you are giving. He has this blog post read to him in the hard hours of the night. So, dear Rob, this one is for you. All you readers, feel free to read over his shoulder.
Rob is having a good time despite the intense heat and humidity in Indiana.
Rob, you are racing in honor of Christina and her courage in the face of a brain cancer diagnosis and you, too, are displaying great courage in the face of 3000 miles of seemingly endless roads, hills, weather, extreme heat, fatigue, hostile encounters with drivers and lots of pain.
Tyler Clemens loads Rob up with a lettuce wrap before he hits the road.
And you are racing with joy and grace. I love it when you say—“It’s hard. I like hard things.” And you just said to me, “I could not do this without God’s strength.” I see how hard this is. I see the struggle, the pain, the fatigue. You wear it well. You are a champion. A leader. An example. And you are a servant—of your team, of your community, of this world. Thank you for loving well.
Yesterday, your pastor from your Port Angeles days, met you on the road while you were having a massage break. Mike and Jan Jones were in the area (that is a loose term) and found you on the course. You prayed together, laughed, took a few photos and they sent you off down the road.
A couple of days ago, Pastor Mike sent a text that I have not read to you yet. Here it is:
When David was sent by his father to check up on his brothers, he encountered an unusual situation. All of the armies of God were hiding in their tents filled with fear. The obstacle in front of them was the giant Goliath! David accepted the challenge to face the obstacle. He had faced other challenges in the past and he knew what to do. Trust God and move ahead!!!
David, in the power of the Lord, defeated the enemy of God! An amazing thing then happened to the fear-filled army of God! When they witnessed David’s faith, they themselves were filled with faith and moved ahead!
The principle is simple: Displayed faith stimulates faith! Christina faced the enemy many times in unbelievable faith. Her faith ignited faith in others. Only weeks before her death she got out of bed and visited me after my heart surgery. Even now her faith makes me want to get up and move ahead. No longer am I paralyzed by fear!
Rob’s feet have to be covered in bandages and baby powder to reduce the pain while riding.
Rob, you may not know this but your God filled, courageous faith that you are displaying is encouraging fearful people to renew their faith and move forward!!
Rob, keep moving forward in God’s power as you face the challenges before you. You, like Christina, are causing my faith to grow and I’m moving forward with you for God’s glory! –Pastor Mike Jones
Rob passes some tractors in Indiana on a busy back road.
How’s that for an evening pick-me-up? You are so loved Rob. Keep going. One pedal at a time. In the strength of God. Thank you for raising money for brain cancer research. Your community has now given $14,000 on your way to $20,000. You are doing great work–paying a great price to bring hope to the world of brain cancer.
The Messenger,
Jo Dee Ahmann
P.S. For those of you reading over Rob’s shoulder, you can give here. Together, we can help keep him going!