Missionary Training Update

Over Father’s Day weekend, I completed my first century ride—100 miles—with seven other Biking for Babies missionaries from the Philadelphia area. We rode from Royersford, PA, to Lancaster, PA, covering a total of 102 miles with more than 6,000 feet of elevation gain.

Before getting on the bike that morning, I thought to myself, “This is going to be challenging—but not impossible.” One way or another, I was going to finish. I had a great team around me: two support crew members and four other male riders.

Around mile 80, though, I started to lose momentum. Physically, I felt okay—but mentally, I was struggling. It was discouraging to see how easily the men on my team seemed to conquer the hills while I lagged behind. At one point, I honestly thought walking my bike uphill might be faster than riding it.

That’s when two of my teammates, both returning missionaries, noticed my struggle and stepped in to help. They began encouraging me, distracting me from my own self-doubt. My teammate Max even started singing a familiar song from my childhood—“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus—a song about perseverance and not giving up. Then, both Max and another teammate, Jonathan, did something extraordinary: they took turns physically pushing me up several of the remaining hills—while biking themselves. I could hear their own labored breathing, feel their effort, and yet they didn’t hesitate to help.

Once we reached the top, they continued riding alongside me—Max in front, Jonathan behind—pacing and protecting me all the way to the finish line. I truly couldn’t have done it without them.

The experience made me reflect deeply on the importance of fatherhood and the strength of self-sacrificing men. Max and Jonathan embodied what strong, loving, and supportive masculinity looks like. They didn’t just cheer me on; they shared in my struggle and carried part of my burden—quite literally.

So many women today are longing for this kind of love, care, and protection—especially those facing unexpected pregnancies. Experiences like this remind me of the critical role men play in offering strength and support, and why our mission needs strong men.