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)