What's Next for Cycling4Hope?

As of this week, we have raised $9,812.00 cash for our project in Raj, India. Are you amazed.? I still am. Our anonymous donor is probably anxious for us to finish our fundraising but we have been hustling to gather all the pledges and gifts that were promised and they are nearly all in. We are just shy of $10k by $200.00. This will leave only $6,000 for the anonymous giver. (BTW if you are reading this blog, thank you whoever you are.!)

This week we started "shopping" for another project for next summer. We have adults and students alike asking to join our Cycling4Hope! With the help of my parents and some other well connected, mission oriented adults, we are going to open it up and ask others to join us riding and raising money for a REALLY BIG PROJECT....but what?! Stay tuned while we prayerfully consider what's next.

We have to decide soon because the media is asking, "what's next for cycling4hope?"

We are praying that God will bring us something bigger that will challenge us and, our followers who have come alongside to help us raise the money this summer for the school transportation vehicle in India.

I can hardly wait to hear the response and see photos of the faces of the kids climbing into their NEW RIDE in Raj, India.

NICK NEWS by Nickelodeon for Kids posts story about Cycling 4 Hope!

Cycling 4 Hope by Nickelodeon Nick News

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."

Special Thanks to our Families

Encouragers...

Youth Pastors', Lance and "Kujo". Thank you for all your encouragement and support.

Note: Cycling4Hope made the newspaper, front page, full color!

More photos coming...

Between the four of us we found more photos.

People ask me if I am journaling. I would rather ride my bike 400 miles than write a journal but I am trying to keep notes here on the blog. And I just spent days writing thank you notes.

Stay tuned to the blog site. We have passion. Do you have the passion to make a difference? How about riding with us next year to make a difference? You won't want to miss our news. The media has grabbed our story and it is spreading everyday. "Ride along for now" on the blog and be inspired to join us...

Mission Network News features Cycling4Hope teenagers

Mission Network News features the efforts of teenagers Barrett Mills, Ben Zelent, Abby Bennett and Andrew Bennett as they ride 400 + miles to raise money for the leper colony orphanage in Raj India. Scroll to find article and on right hand side is the AUDIO from the 8/05/2009--Wednesday news feed.

"I have a passion..." Barrett Mills

NICK by Nickelodeon for Kids posts story about Cycling 4 Hope!

NICK NEWS - Nickelodeon

National kids internet site posts story about Cycling 4 Hope and their journey to raise money for the children's leper colony orphanage.

The Story of the 'Raj' India leper colony orphanage

This is the story about the children for who we were able to provide the school vehicle. This story was written by someone at WHI and it was passed along to us to share on the blog.

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.

SAGWAGON crew:

Jim and Diane Mills

Thanks for being our cooks and helping Mr. Mills with the assorted tasks that needed to happen along the way. Homemade jelly was awesome. We hope you will come along with us again next year.

Cycling4Hope,

Barrett, Ben, Abby and Andrew (aka, AJ)

World Hope International-- Hope For Children gives recognition to Cycling4Hope

Check out the website for World Hope-- Hope for Children and see what they have to say about the amazing accomplishment of these four teenagers. Here you can read more about the conditions of the area where the orphanage children have to live and how the vehicle is necessary for safety.