Chris and Nick - Roseville, MN

After settling in for the night at a comfortable bike hostel run by a hospitable couple in Gackle, ND, I heard the unmistakable "click-click" of a bike being walked down the yard outside our window. I went out to meet Nick and Chris, two intrepid brothers who are taking on a huge challenge for their dad, who's taken on an even bigger challenge- fighting ALS. The brothers are biking across the whole U.S. to raise awareness and funding for research for ALS. Their dad, Steve, has had ALS for seven years, a fact that Nick told us is remarkable because the disease usually is fatal after a few years. Nick (on the right in the photo) said that for him and his six siblings, having this happen to his dad has made him more dependent on God. Chris and Nick have a very robust schedule, riding about a hundred miles most days so they could be home in Roseville for the 4th of July. Before they left at around 7:00 the next morning, we joined with them and prayed for their dad. We prayed that Jesus, the healer would bring complete healing to Steve. Please join us in prayer for Steve and for them. Check out their facebook page and gofundme account:

https://m.facebook.com/2brosbike4ALS/

https://www.gofundme.com/2brosbike4ALS

Amity - Seattle

We had a pleasant morning ride with Amity, and spent two consecutive nights in the same camp grounds. During our morning ride, she explained that she's excited about biking to upstate New York to visit her parents and her family home before they move. She would like God's guidance for her future as a chaplain, either in a hospital or a prison, for which she's studying for an MDiv. She said she also needs guidance about whether to move, since the cost of living is so high in Seattle.

Genevieve - Harlem and Cut Bank, MT

Genevieve was our generous Warm Showers host in Cut Bank, Montana. We had a fascinating discussion about Native American tribes, as both of her parents are members of two tribes, the Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) and the Nakoda (Assiniboine). Genevieve grew up on the Fort Belknap Agency reservation , which we biked through yesterday.  She said life on the reservation growing up was a totally normal childhood, with the addition of native language classes. She said that all of her friends who wanted to attended college and earned degrees.  Genevieve's daughter, Chloe (age 13), was away at Bible camp so we used her room. She currently lives with her father in another town, as her parents are separated or divorced.  I was led to leave Chloe the tract, "The Father's Love Letter", with Genevieve's permission. Please join me in praying for Chloe and Genevieve, that their hearts would truly know the Father's love. Also pray for the native peoples here in Montana to be awakened to faith in Jesus. As we've ridden through each of the reservations in Washington and Montana, I've been praying and proclaiming an awakening of the "Sleeping Giant" of our land, the native peoples, and that this fire of awakening would spread from West to East. 

Mike - Colville, WA

We met Jerry (left) and Mike (right) at dinner at the Bacon's home. Before the meal, we had a long conversation with Mike, who told us of his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam and the fallout from that which he's still experiencing, such as PTSD. He mentioned many other physical issues which caused him to retire early from his profession as a nurse. We didn't have a chance to pray with him that evening, but the next day as we were biking, a car passed us and the driver waved and stopped. It turns out it was Mike and Jerry, who were on their way to eat at a local restaurant.  Again, I had no chance to pray with him, so I asked the Lord that they'd still be at the restaurant when we got there for lunch. They were still there and I offered to pray for Mike for healing. He didn't want me to pray and when Ron asked him what to pray for, he said he wanted prayer to know what God's will was for him. He also shared that he had never really experienced love as a child and he had embraced his ill health and had peace about it. I prayed for a revelation of the Father's love to his heart. Please join me in praying for his healing and receiving the Father's love.

Duane - Wisconsin

Another biker we've repeatedly met up with is a very personable young man named Duane, a 23 year old who recently quit his job in Wisconsin and is biking across the US. Duane is a believer and is seeking God for His will for the next steps he should take and where to live.

Barry and Shelley - Colville, WA

Dr. Barry and Shelley Bacon welcomed us not only into their peaceful bike hostel, but also to a special Sabbath meal in their home which they host every Friday for friends and seekers. As we talked after dinner, Dr. Barry explained how he and his family had served as missionaries in Malawi for four years. Since then, they have done numerous short term medical missions in Africa. Most recently they have sèrved in Somalia. Dr. Barry has a big vision from the Lord to establish numerous family peactice training centers in northern Somalia to help the Somali people care for their own and to spread the Gospel. Please pray that God would provide His great grace to fulfill this great vision.

Denny - California

Denny joined us for a day and a half of our ride in Montana, staying at the same hostel on a very rainy evening. He shared with us how he retired early to ride the Pacific Crest bike trail five years ago, also intending to help his wife in special ed when he returned. In dealing with a sleep disorder, his wife died very suddenly when she combined two sleep aids prescribed by two different doctors. In the five years since her death, Denny has criss-crossed the country on his bike, riding from dawn to dusk. He seems to be trying to find meaning to his life and is still grieving. Please pray that Denny would come to a living relationship with Jesus. He seemed open as I shared with him about Jesus' supernatural power.