400 miles is a long way to ride on a bicycle.
"I've never ridden this far before," said 13-year-old Andrew Bennett, in an interview with the Holland Sentinel, his local newspaper in Holland, Michigan.
But from July 21st to July 27th, Andrew, his 15-year-old sister and two friends rode their bikes from Holland to Mackinaw City, Michigan - a 400-mile trip - to raise money for kids in India.
The four Michigan kids hope to raise $16,000 to buy a van for kids who live in a children's home in the Indian city of Rajnandgaon.
15-year-old Barrett Mills said he heard about the Indian kids from his father, who met the director of the children's home while visiting Bangladesh last year.
(Bangladesh and India are neighboring countries.)
Barrett says his father told him about the jeep the kids have to ride to school in right now - a jeep that's nearly 50 years old.
"The jeep is constantly breaking down, almost every day," Barrett said, in an interview with the Grand Traverse Insider, which is another Michigan newspaper. "They can't keep paying the repair bills. So I decided then I had to try and do something."
"Something" turned out to be the "Ride Across Michigan 4 Hope."
Mills got 15-year-old Ben Zelent to join him on the ride, along with Andrew and Abby Bennett.
The four set off from Holland, Michigan on July 21st.
According to Insider reporter Colin Merry, Barrett's father followed the four riders in a camper for safety, along with Andrew and Abby's father.
"My aunt and uncle will be coming along with a camper, too," Barrett told Merry before the ride. "They've offered to be the camp cooks."
The riders blogged about their journey along the way.
On Monday the 27th, they posted the following message: "WE DID IT WE MADE IT WE DID IT ... MACKINAW BRIDGE IS (IN) OUR VIEW."
Barrett's father is rightfully proud of his son and the other riders.
"This is about kids helping kids," Tim Mills told Merry. "How could I stand in the way of that?"
According to media reports, the kids had already raised $7,000 going into the ride.
They're working with a group called World Hope International to try to raise the rest.
According to Barrett, it's all about giving the Indian kids an opportunity to get a good education - an education that could lead to a better life.
"This children's home, they're offering (the Indian kids) hope and an opportunity," Barrett told Sentinel reporter Stephen Kloosterman. "Without (a new van), they don't have the opportunity."
"I think (the bike ride) sets a good example for other kids," Andrew added. "(It shows) that they can help out, too."
On the outskirts of the city of Rajnandgaon is a leper colony named Asha Nagar (Hope City). But there is little hope for the families and especially the children who’s family members have suffered from leprosy. Whether personally suffering from the disease or simply related to someone who is, these people are the untouchables of society…just as they were in Jesus’ day. The children in the village were sent to the streets to beg or they engaged in drug use and gangs and other illegal activities. They had no opportunity to go to school or to develop their potential. They had no hope for a better life or know the love of Jesus and how special they are to him. Their situation touched the heart of Dr. P. Devadas, who has given oversight to the hospital for the Wesleyan Church as their legal representative in India.
Troubled for some time about the children in the village, Dr. Devadas decided to do something for them and took early retirement from the university where he was an economics professor. The need for in-patient treatment at the hospital had subsided, although many patients still come there as outpatients. This left several substantial buildings open for other use. Dr. Devadas has overseen the rehabilitation of these buildings for hostels for some of the children.
Dr. Devadas explains: The rooms each accommodate four children. Each childl has his/her own cot, mattress and mosquito net. A separate kitchen and a dining hall have been furnished. Each child has been given clothing, a school uniform, and supplied other needs. The children are attending the Wesleyan School which is about 4 km from the hostel. At present an old jeep transports them to and from school. After much prayer, we hired a young Christian couple to be house parents, and another dedicated couple are in charge of food services. The hospital business manager and a trained nurse are giving services to this project.
A Hope for Children council has been formed and six of the children have a sponsor. However, the project can only continue if we have a sponsor for each of the children to help cover the costs of housing, clothing and educating each child. As a committee we fervently prayed and by faith moved ahead. Up until now God has guided and supplied everything in the right time in the right way.
Many children are anxiously awaiting sponsorship. Would you be the answer to their need and join others who are giving children an unprecedented opportunity to become all that they can be? Thirty dollars a month literally means the difference between hope and despair… opportunity and poverty for these children.
GOD IS SELDOM EARLY,
BUT HE IS NEVER
LATE.
We are over the $8,000 mark! Help us finish the project with the entire $16,000.The second hill, Ben says he did 50mph going down due to wind speed and tire pressure (I have no clue if that makes a difference?). Abby and I think… its possible? Now, on the way down the third hill, Abby and I were going around 47 mph when I looked at the speedometer. Then I thought, I better not look down again. We had one more hill to climb. Hill number three was probably the easiest.
We made a camp change and are now staying just outside of Frankfort instead of our original plans to stay in Platte River due to the fact that we were unable to get an addtl. campsite/s. However, everything worked out and we are having a great time. That was our day here on the trail. It is nice to have the company of Mitch Overway Terry Koetji and my Youth Pastor, Dave “Kujo” Kujowa accompanying us for the next two nights on motor cycles. Thanks for everyone’s support and prayers. p.s. Ben and AJ you get more lines if you help write!!
We are being followed closely by the chase vehicle because the fog is thick. They say our shirts are bright and better than lights in the fog. Ck in tonight. We paused to take some fun pictures here and we will upload tonight. Thanks for checking in to know how to pray for us.
Ben and I quickly learned that AJ is a reckless driver and should never be given the keys to his mother's jeep! Once Abby's bike got fixed we rode on to Ludington where Abby and I pulled off to the side of the road and chased a deer, which we learned was quite fast (duh). So, we failed at catching the deer, her and I continued on riding. We had no clue where AJ and Ben took off to, because they broke rank and rode ahead, they still think this ride is tour de France. :) That’s all I guess ha-ha. There will be pictures or a slide show up soon, check them out :] Tomorrow AJ and Ben will post their stories. Thanks for reading and sharing your comments -- Abby and Barrett for all!
... I have a huge passion to make a difference in other people’s lives. After hearing from my Dad about a children’s home in Rajnandgoan, India that was in need of a new vehicle for transportation, I began to wonder how I could help to meet their need. They currently have an old 1961 Willy’s jeep that is breaking down almost every day. Repairs are costly and time consuming. The children need the van to safely travel to school every day.
While praying for an answer, God immediately gave me an idea. God told me, “get on your bike and ride somewhere far and raise the money for these kids in India”. The school vehicle/van will cost $16,000 US dollars.
Together with my Dad, I am organizing a bike ride to make a difference—Ride Across Michigan--RAM. On JULY 21, I will be leaving Holland along with three other riders peddling 400 miles to Mackinaw City. This journey will test us physically and spiritually as we ride to raise the money. This will be a great time for devotions and sharing about my personal Jesus and His love for others. World Hope International—Hope for Children--- World Hope International will be partnering with me to manage the money and purchase the van for the orphanage.
Would you join me in PRAYER because without it our goal is impossible? You can commit to praying for our whole riding team as we raise the funds and ride. This crazy idea I have was born of God and only He can imagine what can really happen with your PRAYER support. Please mark your calendars for JULY 21 – 26 and PRAY for our safety.
