We left the Nehemiah Centre in Cleveland at 7.45am. About 7.00 o'clock Pastor Yuri from the church we attended yesterday turned up with his whole family to see us off. (The photo shows us having a barbecue in his back yard - his church wasn't even hosting us, but we went there in the morning, and they invited us). Sameh can't be more than about 9, Sophie is about 6 and Sak is about 3, and the amazing thing was - the kids wanted to give us money! All three of them had raided their little piggy-banks and were carrying envelopes. Is that not amazing? Little Sak wanted to hand his over only to big Zack, who had played with him the day before. Later in the morning
a gentleman in a beautiful big Chrysler (left) stopped beside us at a rest stop and gave us $20, but I reckon I know which gifts pleased the Lord more...... Yuri prayed for us before departure, then he and Karen (who has, I think, a Master's from Wheaton College) sat on the grass with their kids and waved us all off. They came to this tough inner-city district of Cleveland 8 years ago to plant their church, and it's clear that God is blessing their faithfulness. They have white and black folks, able-bodied and handicapped, young and old, and a real sense of God. You may never hear from them on earth again, but I think they are pretty well-known already in Heaven.
As far as the riding was concerned, the terrain was about as good as it could be for my first day back, and I felt pretty good, although towards the end everything hurt - feet, butt, and hands. This was my first-ever century - 100+ miles in one day. When we got to the Federated Church in East Springfield my speedo was showing 96, so I rode around a bit until it was exactly on 100. It was hardly worth getting that close and not going all the way! Anyway, must go and shower. Stuart and I (Maisie and Sarah called in with his wife for a wee visit yesterday, as it
happens) are with a lovely family, Guy & Tracy, Craig (18), Holly (16) and Corey (14)! And their Golden Lab Abby. We were originally given one room with a double bed and an air-mattress, then later - saw the mattress being carried through the hall to the living-room - Holly had decided to give me her room. What a sweet girl! She had just got (gotten??) home from a month-long missions trip to India yesterday, and I'm sure she really would have loved her own bed, but she gave it to me. Another "widow's mite" offering, I think. This is Corey with the hound - I don't think the dog was ready to give up that bed!
a gentleman in a beautiful big Chrysler (left) stopped beside us at a rest stop and gave us $20, but I reckon I know which gifts pleased the Lord more...... Yuri prayed for us before departure, then he and Karen (who has, I think, a Master's from Wheaton College) sat on the grass with their kids and waved us all off. They came to this tough inner-city district of Cleveland 8 years ago to plant their church, and it's clear that God is blessing their faithfulness. They have white and black folks, able-bodied and handicapped, young and old, and a real sense of God. You may never hear from them on earth again, but I think they are pretty well-known already in Heaven.As far as the riding was concerned, the terrain was about as good as it could be for my first day back, and I felt pretty good, although towards the end everything hurt - feet, butt, and hands. This was my first-ever century - 100+ miles in one day. When we got to the Federated Church in East Springfield my speedo was showing 96, so I rode around a bit until it was exactly on 100. It was hardly worth getting that close and not going all the way! Anyway, must go and shower. Stuart and I (Maisie and Sarah called in with his wife for a wee visit yesterday, as it
happens) are with a lovely family, Guy & Tracy, Craig (18), Holly (16) and Corey (14)! And their Golden Lab Abby. We were originally given one room with a double bed and an air-mattress, then later - saw the mattress being carried through the hall to the living-room - Holly had decided to give me her room. What a sweet girl! She had just got (gotten??) home from a month-long missions trip to India yesterday, and I'm sure she really would have loved her own bed, but she gave it to me. Another "widow's mite" offering, I think. This is Corey with the hound - I don't think the dog was ready to give up that bed!Looks like another almost-100 miler 
today. Will keep you posted, God willing.
In His grip.
today. Will keep you posted, God willing.In His grip.
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