Official "Cycling for Mercy" Story...

Please click on the following link to read the story I wrote for Mercy Ships regarding my cycling campaign. It is on the Mercy Ships Alumni site, the official site for past crew members to connect.

http://alumni.mercyships.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=294&Itemid=9

Enjoy it!

2009 Cycling for Mercy...

"Hey, you're cycling for Mercy Ships!" This was what a fellow competitor in the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour exclaimed to me as I cycled past, with a Mercy Ships flag blowing proudly in the strong south-easterly wind. I looked back and said, "Yep, have you heard of them?" To this she said, "For sure! I plan on joining them next year!"

This conversation was one of the highlights on what was otherwise a really challenging 2009 Tour. There was a storm-force wind gusting at up to 160 km/h (that's 100 miles/hour) and many cyclists were literally blown off their bikes and unceremoniously dumped on the tarmac.

The start was difficult to say the least. Just 100 metres after the start line we emerged out of the relative shelter of the business district of Cape Town and were slammed by the howling south-easter. Most cyclists, myself included, had to dismount and push for several metres before being able to get enough momentum to get back on the bike. It was very scary. A mere five kilometres into the race, the effects of the wind were clear. People were abandoning, turning back to the comfort of their cars, parked in the centre of town. However, I pushed through the tough first half of the race, as the route wound its way out of the city and through the picturesque coastal towns of Fish Hoek and Simon's Town, towards the Cape Point Nature Reserve. As cyclists made the gradual climb of Smitswinkel up towards the reserve's main gate, the wind went from being a terrible enemy to a best friend. Here the route turns towards the other side of the Cape Peninsula and the wind is an immense help as you speed down past halfway and through the beautiful conservation villages of Scarborough and Misty Cliffs. My time at halfway (55 kms) was three hours. About 45 minutes behind schedule due to the wind.

But the second half of the ride whizzed by, despite the climb of Chapman's Peak Drive, a breathtaking coastal road that winds itself hundreds of metres above the Atlantic Ocean before heading down to Hout Bay. The final climb of Suikerbossie (Afrikaans: "Little Sugar Bush"), which climbs steeply up from Hout bay, went much better than usual and then the final fifteen kilometres along the Atlantic Seaboard down through the upmarket suburbs of Llandudno, Camp's Bay and Clifton went really well. I usually struggle over the last part of the ride, but this year I dug deep and found some much-needed adrenalin. I finally arrived at the finish in Green Point, under the shadow of the brand-new 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium construction project, to complete my 19th consecutive Argus Cycle Tour.

Despite the wind some 25,000 of the 35,000 entered cyclists completed the race. My time was officially 5 hours 12 minutes, placing me at position 13,000 of the 25,000 riders. I will happily take that. After all, it is not everyday you get to do the sport you love and combine it with creating awareness for the global charity that you're involved with - Mercy Ships - and not to mention cycle 110 kilometres of some of the world's most scenic roads in the world's largest-timed cycling event!

It's Argus time...

This Sunday is the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour, which I've mentioned a lot in my recent posts. I will be cycling this 110 km (that's 68 miles for American readers) race to create awareness for Mercy Ships.

Yesterday was Day 1 of the Life Cycle Expo, which is a huge cycling and fitness exhibition held at the Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, in the week before the race. The Expo is where cyclists entered to ride on race day pick up their race packs (with race number and important information) and can get their transponders (timing chips) checked. There are also hundreds of exhibitors with stands advertising anything from top-of-the-range bikes to bandanas. There are also free samples of anything from breakfast cereals to massage oils. And if you know me well, you know I like my freebies!

Last night I went to the Expo and so here are a few photos from this fun event.

This is the main hall of the exhibition (above).

With my nephew Rhyenn (above).

My Dad and Rhyenn (above).

Blessings from above...

Another slightly different view on the challenges and adventures that lie ahead... The dark cloud hovering overhead may seem ominous, threatening to unleash a wild storm. Yet it is out of this dark cloud that God sends down blessings from above - in the form of rain. All it takes is a shift in perspective. This is going to be a positive experience - with many opportunities ahead.

Climbing mountains...

In the next few weeks and months there are many challenges that need to be sorted out, from visas to airfares and travel insurance. You could say it's like I'm standing in front of a huge mountain. I'm the hiker who has to conquer it. It's a great challenge - no one said it would be easy - but it is also a really big adventure. And God is the architect of this mountain. He knows what's in store for me as I make my ascent. And He goes with me - no matter where the path may lead or how dangerous the route is.

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13: 5)

With His hand holding mine, together we will summit this peak. Whilst the world may say it's insurmountable - "It cannot be done. You're crazy!" they cry - we'll prove them wrong. Together this mountain will become a molehill.

Career Interrupted...

I watched a great message last night by Louie Giglio, one of my favourite speakers. It was called Career Interrupted and dealt with how serving and glorifying God is very much a part of your employment and career. You cannot compartmentalise God. And how when your plans change, see it as a way God is leading your life in another exciting direction. A man may plan, but God is ultimately in control. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (Proverbs 16: 9 NIV).

Giglio concluded his message with four key points that really hit home to me, especially as I prepare to return to Mercy Ships (and also in this interim job that I have now). They are worth repeating.

1) Choose a path and pursue it.

2) Be the very best at whatever you do. Have a good attitude, be dependable, loyal, and a hard worker. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3: 23 NIV).

3) Remember the plan is you. The process of building character is much more important than the job itself. Your usefulness is in the Kingdom, not in career achievement. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8: 28 NIV)

4) Look for His plan and His leading and trust in Him. Nothing can stop Him from fulfilling His plan for your life.

This also ties in with the previous post and "fixing" my eyes on Jesus. I was also chatting on Facebook to a good friend who was on the ship and I was telling him about my life and plans and he told me to pray about my future and follow where God leads. And that, really, is the crux of the message.

Keep your eyes fixed...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith [...]" (Hebrews 12: 1 - 2a NIV)

This is a great reminder to me to keep focused on Jesus as I run my race... or rather, cycle my race :-) My eyes should be "fixed" clearly on Him - not merely glancing at Him every now and then, but focused in on Him at all times. Whether I'm working or driving or cycling or serving - whatever I'm doing - may it always come from the heart and give God glory. That is my prayer.