Biking for Babies is not only about our national ride, “Biking A+Cross America.” Missionaries year after year establish local rides to raise funds, raise awareness, and also to continue training in community. Jonathan Simpson is a second-year B4B missionary from Wisconsin. He shares his experience from last year’s weekend training ride in across Wisconsin as well as how to get support their ride this year.
“Jonathan, want to go on the Wisconsin training ride with us?It’s good practice!”
Jonathan, left, shows off his now permanent tan lines with riders Sarah and Tyler
It was to be my first time doing anything with Biking for Babies, and the first time I had ever seen my arms get that incredibly red.While I was practicing some short sprints and mild hills, the plan for this ride was going from northern Wisconsin, namely, the middle of a bunch of trees, in Lakewood, down to Kaukauna, and finally to Madison.This was quite the trek at 85 miles the first day, and 140 miles the second day.I wasn’t sure what I was getting into that night before, being picked up by people I didn’t know, to meet others I didn’t know, and not sleep until midnight.And if I gave the story away now, it wouldn’t be a good story, so keep going!
Though I didn’t know these people at all, I had lots of time with them on the road, either the other two on bikes, seeing how many bugs we could collect in our mouths by accident, or the support crew on the sides cheering us on, in the right direction!It was quite the blessing to be with young people that were so passionate about Biking for Babies and standing up for the life of unborn children.It helped me learn how I could help more, and do more.
But at this point, we had only made it to Kaukauna.It was a wonderful display of generosity; helping us in all the facets of the Mission: spreading awareness of pregnancy resource centers, supporting those pregnancy resource centers through their prayers and their dinero, as well as feeding us![That last one isn’t part of the Mission, but it helps us pedal!].
The next day is when it got hairy…nix that, got “airy”.As we were continuing south, we found a headwind: nice if you are flying a kite, bad if you bike.Somehow we managed to roll along, even sometimes at a rate that rivals one after Thanksgiving.The miles clicked by, 41, 41.2, 41.5, so we said a few Our Fathers, and we got 70 miles of no head winds!
Then came the hills.
After 125 miles, hills are not your friend, but we got through it.Somehow, God helped us persevere through the gusts of trial and the hills of torment, to arrive in Madison.Waiting for us, and nearly ready for us, was the staff of the pregnancy resource center there!They were so surprised and delighted at our coming, as we had beaten our time of expected arrival by about an hour [making a record!].And it was good, as an hour later came and it down poured.This time, good came to those who sped.
Without help and encouragement from both God and those praying for us, I do not think we would have had the strength to fight the elements and the fatigue within us.I think we must have been doing something right!
Wisconsin Ride 2017: June 3-4
This year we are taking a slightly different route, with our first stop in Madison; on Saturday (6/3), to visit with the workers of the Pregnancy Helpline.Please go to their website to RSVP for a potluck supper at 5pm! We will then continue on Sunday (6/4) to Platteville, to visit the PRC I represent, Clarity Clinic of SW Wisconsin; where you can also join us for a potluck dinner at noon!
Please cover these riders in prayer as they extend the mission of Biking for Babies along the roads of Wisconsin! If you see them, share a supportive wave and cheer! Join them for the potluck suppers if you are nearby, and support them in their training and evangelizing.
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