I once had someone ask me, “Do you realize what you expect of these missionaries?” When we introduce people to idea of the National Ride, we often get wide eyed looks of shock and awe at how far our missionaries will ride. That’s also usually followed by, “In the July heat? Do you know how hot it is? There’s just no way!”
We agree, it is an impressive feat, however it’s not impossible, because we have had over 80 people complete the National Ride in our 10 years. The Biking for Babies team is fully aware of what we ask our missionaries to do. It is intentional, planned and prayerfully discerned. This is more than just a bike ride; it is a pilgrimage of faith, love and hope.
Across the last four months, our missionaries have been preparing for the National Ride, which begins in less than a week! This is what it is all about. This is what our missionaries have been anticipating. To go on mission with Biking for Babies, they sacrifice a good deal– paying for food and supplies, planning travel to the start and end of the ride, taking time off work and life, etc. It is about this time when the teams begin to experience spiritual warfare. This is the time they begin to get increasingly nervous about their training and plans.
Can I do this, they wonder?
This ride forces our riders and support crew out of their comfort zone and into a place where they must trust that God is the one leading their way.
We have begun to expect this pre-ride apprehension and attempt to cover it even more in prayer and real talk with the teams. Our leadership team talks openly with the missionaries:
You will be uncomfortable. You will be stretched. God will ask more of you as you take up your armor to defend the most vulnerable among us. This is the truth, the reality, but know this: Every time you think that you cannot do this, that it is too impossible, think about the woman who says the same thing about her unplanned pregnancy. Can I do this, she wonders? Think about her and choose to do the impossible. Do this for her and for the babies. Show the world that a culture of life is the ultimate gift that we can gift each other.
Our 2019 Biking for Babies shirts display a Ronald Reagan quote: “Let us be shy no longer. Let us go to our strength. Let us offer hope. Let us tell the world that a new age is not only possible, but probable.”
To renew a culture of life, we must continue to choose to do the impossible, knowing we will not be perfect, but that God will use our imperfections to bring His goodness to the world. No longer can we let fear of failure prevent us from the task at hand.
It is a privilege to be on this journey of fighting for life with you. Would you please join us in the next week to pray and fast for our mission?
- Pray for the teams as they ride; that their sacrifice and suffering may reach countless people across the country, opening their hearts to the pro-life truth.
- Pray for our pregnancy resource centers, that they may be renewed and fortified for their encounters with those experiencing unplanned pregnancies.
- Pray for the woman who needs support and empowerment, but feels alone. Pray for her, that God’s perfect love may cast out her fear of the unknown.
- And always, always pray for the protection of the unborn.
Please also consider making a donation for our pregnancy resource centers at www.www.bikingforbabies.com/give. Biking for Babies is completely funded by generous individuals who believe in the life-saving work of these centers. Your gift allows them to save more lives and reach more people in the name of the Gospel of Life. Thank you!
