A Good Sign

Before getting into the past week I’m asking, for those of you who do such a thing, for you to start praying for Simon’s health.  Simon is the person organizing the Tour du Burundi and he has been suffering from fatigue for the past four weeks.  Normally I would make a joke here about Simon making it up to get out of riding but this is serious stuff and he needs big-time prayer support.  Thanks.

Now the week and what a great week it was!  Contributions jumped up to $6,375 this week, $12,750 when factoring in my employer's matching contribution.  Just $3,625 of your contributions away from the $20,000 goal.  It will happen and it's so exciting to think about the positive impact that kind of money will have on the Gitega International Academy and the students.  A big thanks to the anonymous donor out there.  Would love to thank you personally but you know who you are and I appreciate your donation very much.

This weekend's riding had one goal in mind: replicate riding Day 1 and 2 in Burundi.  From Simon's description of the route and one of the rider's elevation chart, Day 1 is a flat 75 mile ride and Day 2 is a Mount Diablo-like climb, and that's what I set out to do.

A flat 75 mile ride means I head east, good old Altamont-lined-with-windmills Road.  This is the "Drafting Jesus" road.  Riding east is a pleasure and I look for signs of the ferocity of the wind I will face when I turn around at Mountain House Bar.  My clearest indication was a tarp that was stuck on a barbed-wire fence.  That puppy was snapping in the wind like no other and my deep philosophical thought at that moment, "yikes!".

Well let me tell you, the tarp did not lie.  Turning around and heading west.....ho-chi-mama!  Nasty, brutal wind and I was immediately in my easiest gear on a road with a slight upgrade but nothing that would normally require that low of a gear.   Took me an hour to ride 8 miles.  It normally takes a half an hour.  I even had to pedal on the downhills just to keep moving.  Typically, when I reach a motorcycle dirt track just outside the canyon I’ve just been through the wind dies down and things get back to normal.  Not this day.

Cycling West: headwind.  Cycling South: headwind.  Cycling North: headwind.  Cycling East: well who cares because I was done with my westerly riding early that day.  So yes, wind can blow in three directions at the same time, at least it felt like it.  So I did 77 miles Saturday and I got a much better workout than I expected because of all the wind.  Yes, I get to ride into the wind and I should be thankful I'm not riding in snow.  In fact, I am.  I just like to whine from time to time.

So with Saturday under my belt I went out Sunday to climb Diablo.  In my mind it was to the top or failure.  I had to prove to myself that I could do back to back riding of this nature or risk doubt that I would ever get in shape to tackle the entirety of the Tour du Burundi.

Sunday was a beautiful day and nowhere near the wind of Saturday.  So beautiful that I left my leg warmers at home, wore a short-sleeved jersey, and stuffed my jacket in my back pocket just in case it was cold at the top and I wanted it for my descent.

I tried this very same Saturday-Sunday combo two weeks ago and only made it to the Junction so I knew what my legs might feel like this Sunday.  Well I'm  pleased to report I felt much better as I rode up to the Junction and after a short water break I started out on the last 4.5 miles of the ascent not knowing how my legs would react.

There are clear goals over the last 4.5 miles.  2.5 miles up and you’re at the Juniper vista point and only 2 miles to go but a steep grade ahead.  1 more mile and you hit Devil's Elbow, a 180 degree turn and significant because the grade decreases at that point and you know you will make it....almost.  The last 300 feet is a 17% grade that I have never been able to ride up.

I made it to Juniper and I made it to Devil's Elbow but stopped at the last 300 feet.....by design.  The last thing I need to do at this stage of my training is attempt that last climb and fall over because I'm going so slow and re-injure my separated shoulder.  At the top I was greeted by this view.  I was hoping you could see San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance but I have to say I took the picture and I can’t even see them.  Well, you get the point.  I was at the top!!

This ride was a huge psychological lift for me!!!  Knowing I can do rides like this back to back gives me great confidence for Day 1 and 2 in Burundi.

You know what else would be a huge psychological lift?  Seeing the last $3,625 donated over the next two weeks to reach the $20,000 goal.  It's like we are at the Juniper vista point of fund raising.  We have a mile of steep incline to go but it gets easier after that.  Let's get through the last training and fundraising together and set our sights on doing the Tour and giving $20,000 to the Gitega International Academy!

And quickly, a weight-loss update.  I'm down 3 pounds this week and just 3 away from reaching another goal: 100 pounds shed from this frame of mine!

Thanks for reading this!

Inspiration from Across the Pond. Twice.

Rode to the Junction Saturday morning.  Left the house around 7 am and enjoyed a very peaceful ride.  That time in the morning there are few cars on the road, especially once on the mountain.  Also, when I hit 1000 feet I was riding in the clouds.  Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes not so good.  This time it was the former as the clouds actually made it warmer than the temperature at the base of the mountain.  It was great but couldn't go to the summit as we had plans to celebrate my mom’s 89th birthday and I couldn't be late for the party.

Sunday departures are usually around 11 am.  After church.  My wife and I had to take care of something so my departure was delayed.  The morning weather started out nice but by the time we left church clouds had rolled in and it looked like rain.  I had Redwood Road in mind, 48 miles and 2500 feet of climbing but I didn't want to go because of the weather.  Then I thought about one of my fellow riders, Paul, training in England.  It’s been an unusually cold spring where he lives, but not only is he riding in cold temperatures, he is riding in snow.  Check out the picture he sent.  When I thought of what he does to train I got on my bike and started riding.  He is truly an inspiration to pansy-boy Burundi Dave.

About half way into the ride I was feeling pretty good and as I approached a fork in the road, right toward home or left up a hill and about 8 additional miles more than I planned when I set out, I thought of Paul riding in the snow.  I went left and said out loud, "This one is for you Paul".  So I did 56 miles Sunday and around 3000 feet of climbing and am very grateful to have a rider on the other side of the world with enough drive to inspire me.  So good!

So Paul, I thank you for your inspiring training and I dedicate Sunday's ride to you.

Also inspiring are those of you that have given your hard earned money to support the Tour du Burundi and the Gitega International Academy.  Thank you so much!  Those of you that are waiting to donate, wait no longer.  I leave for Burundi in just over a month and it's time to take full advantage of my employer's offer to match every dollar contributed up to $10,000.  There is free money just waiting to be donated but I need your help to take full advantage of it.  And remember, your donation is tax deductible.

Weighed in today and lost another two pounds.  Just six from my goal of one hundred pounds lost.  So close!

Thanks so much for reading this and being part of a wonderful adventure!

And please, grab your credit card and let your dollars go twice as far!!

Drafting Jesus

Had to tighten my bike helmet's chinstrap before last weekend's ride, so one of two things is happening: either I'm using less hair gel, highly unlikely, or one of my chins has gone missing.  Pretty sure it's the latter.

Saturday's ride was designed with one thought in mind: Day 1 of riding in Burundi.  Simon told us it was a flat 122 kilometers (75 miles) riding south along Lake Tanganyika, so I was looking to do a similar ride sans Burundi's heat and humidity.  Rides like that mean one thing: Eastward on Altamont Pass Road.  This is the same road my riding buddy took a fall on and broke his collar bone and it's the same road that's flanked by windmills and the wind typically blows east.  BTW my riding buddy is on the mend and hopes to join me on some rides before I depart for Burundi, which, is less than six weeks away!  Looking forward to having him back and healthy!!

So I'm cruising on Altamont Pass Road, feeling no wind, and that means only one thing.  The wind is at my back.  I started looking for clues to back up my hypothesis.  Clue 1: rounding a corner the first set of windmills came into view and all of them were facing me, pointed into the wind, and they were cranked up.  Clue 2:  the cyclists coming toward me were riding in tight single file lines, a technique called drafting, where the lead rider takes the brunt of the wind which lightens the burden for the riders that follow.  It really works and let me tell you when you've done your pull at the front and drop to the back of the line you take a huge inhale and can pedal easier because the other riders are literally pulling you along.  Clue 3:  about half way to the turnaround point, the Mountain House Bar, an approaching cyclist yells out these words of encouragement, "I hope you're not coming back this way".  My thought, I might as well enjoy these last few miles because I was, indeed, ‘coming back this way’.

After a few minutes of rest in the Mountain House Bar parking lot, pictured here, it was time to head back on Altamont Pass Road and find out just how bad this headwind really is.  Having never been inside the Mountain House Bar I'm not sure of the clientele, but I can tell you I was there one Saturday morning on a ride and the Hells Angels were there preparing for an event.  Also there, across the parking lot, bail bondsman trucks.  Hmmm, what might that mean?

Leaving the parking lot, one thing was clear, the wind was an issue, a big issue, and I was riding alone with no one to draft.  Turning around and leaving the parking lot is like flipping a switch on the wind machine.  Amazing!  As I started out I could hear the cyclist’s words in my head, "I hope you're not coming back this way, way, way....".  Well I am, am, am because it is the only way back and I want to get back, so I make myself as small as possible, find a comfortable gear, and start grinding.

This is a six mile stretch with an elevation gain of about 500 feet.  Nothing big but the incline seems magnified because of the wind.  I start thinking about the parallels between life and riding a bicycle.  On my way out to the Mountain House Bar, wind at my back, life was great!  When the wind is at your back in life, enjoy the ride.  Be thankful for who you are, how you were created with unique gifts and talents that benefit you and those around you, should you choose to use your gifts to their fullest potential.

When riding into a headwind I want a riding partner whom I can draft.  It doesn't make the wind go away, it just lightens the burden.  As a Christian, I have a riding partner, more of an advocate I'd say, in the person of Jesus.  He's there whether the wind is at my back or I'm facing one of life's headwinds.  I can choose to go it alone when life is challenging or I can listen to Jesus when the wind is whipping and he says something like, "Dave, why don't you let me pull out in front of you, let me lead, and you draft me?  I know the best path for your life.  Will you follow me?". Always the gentleman, He always asks, never demands.

When I accept His offer and tuck in behind him, the wind doesn't necessarily die down but my burden is always lifted as Jesus is there for me, cutting though the wind.  Like riding outside, I physically take a deep breath of relief when I choose to draft Jesus.  I wish I could state that I follow Jesus 100% of the time, always following His path for my life, but that would not be a true statement.  The good news, whether I follow his path or not, is He loves me just the same.  It's the unconditional love He has for me I spoke of in an earlier post.

His unconditional love is what gives me hope when I choose a path that is not consistent with his plan.  And hope is a good thing.  Sometimes it’s the best of things.  When I don't follow Him he waits.  When I fall, he picks me up, dusts me off, and generally asks something like, "Did you learn anything?".  And then I feel His loving hug.

Won't go any deeper than that but to say Jesus is available to you too regardless of the path you've been on.  Maybe it's time to draft Jesus and let him lead.  I know He loves you unconditionally and wants you to give your burdens over to him.  I pray for you all that time to make a decision like that.

Back to the ride….So I survived the wind tunnel known as Altamont Pass Road and by the time I got home I ended up doing 77 miles!  A good day indeed!

Went out Sunday morning with the intent of climbing to Diablo’s summit.  The only other time I rode Diablo on Easter Sunday was about 10 years ago and when I made it to the summit I was alone.  I’m looking north when I turned around and there is a guy there standing outside his beat up old car.  I did not hear him pull up and my first thought was, “I’m a dead man”.  He was looking out over the valley and said, “This is my church”.  My next thought, “Okay this guy is either an angel or I’m a dead man”.  He walked over to me, handed me a tulip and said, “Pray for someone”.  I turned around and the guy was gone.  I know, strange, but if you want strange, sometime I’ll tell you about the wild stuff I’ve seen in Africa.

So I’m standing on Diablo’s summit with my bicycle, tulip in hand.  I wrap the stem around my brake cables and head home where I put the flower in a vase.  It lasted 3 weeks and was perfect the entire time.  I have no idea who that guy was and I wish I could tell you what it means but I haven’t a clue.  Maybe I need Joseph from the Old Testament to come back and interpret for me.

Riding this past Easter morning I had no such experience but I did learn my thighs aren’t ready for 77 miles one day and the Diablo Summit the next but I did make it to the Junction without stopping which is an improvement over last week so I’m calling it a victory.  Also, yesterday marked day 5 in a row of some sort of cycling.  Three days indoors and two outdoors.  I’ve never done that before so I’m pretty pleased overall.

Also pleasing was yesterday’s weigh-in. Happy to report I dropped 4 pounds last week bringing my total to 92.  Just 8 from the big enchilada!!

Why do I keep referencing food?  Oy vey!

Thanks for your continued interest and have a great week!

70 Is the New 55

Before jumping into last weekend's riding I want to acknowledge one of the Tour du Burundi riders who had to bow out of the ride last week for family reasons.  He is putting his family first and I support his decision 100% but I will miss him on the Tour.  Please pray for him and his family as you feel led.

With his departure, the only other rider from the states, I'm left riding with a bunch of boys from across the pond.  This concerns me.  Don't get me wrong, based on the email banter they all seem like great lads but after hanging with them for two weeks  how will their Britishness rub off on me?  I mean, will I have the urge to change my name to Burundi Nigel?  "Nigel Caruthers here with your latest post from Burundi."  “Say Simon, old boy, be a dear and hand me my iPad.”  Will I be unable to write pithy comments unless I'm wearing an ascot and smoking jacket?  Am I being too stereotypical?

On to the rides, the second weekend of riding both Saturday and Sunday.  I felt so good after last weekend that I wanted to test myself and do a longer ride with more climbing and checking my ride archives I found a 55 miler that seemed to fit the bill.  Off I went Saturday morning to do some of the Redwood Road ride plus a climb up Grizzly Peak.

The route change from the Redwood Road ride is the point where Redwood meets Pinehurst.  Last post I told you it was at this point I traditionally rest but I continued on up Pinehurst and toward home.  Last Saturday I didn't turn right on Pinehurst, I continued on Redwood which is a 2 mile incline to Skyline Boulevard.  This stretch of Redwood is uncomfortable as the grade increases the closer you get to Skyline.  There are horse stables near the top and I'm always very happy to smell horses as I know I'm getting closer to Skyline.

Taking a break where Redwood meets Skyline, still smelling horses, and over 30 miles into what I thought was a 55 mile ride, I realized, if I were to complete my intended route, the ride would be significantly longer than I planned.  I knew I had a bailout point a few miles up the road so I continued to that decision point.

So there I am, a right turn down a hill would make it a 55 mile ride, straight (my planned route) would add probably 10 miles.  At that moment I thought I heard God's voice prompting me to the longer route but then I realized I had stopped near a parked car and the woman inside was on her cell phone.  Nonetheless, I chose the longer ride because I would have felt like a wimp doing anything less.

This stretch takes the rider up a road called Grizzly Peak.  Note the word "peak".  Lots more climbing but with rewards like these views.  Not sure if you can see through the haze but that's San Francisco on the left and the Golden Gate Bridge on the right.  It's a really beautiful ride that leads to Tilden Park and Wildcat Canyon Road and ultimately to a rest stop at Peet’s Coffee.  50 miles into the ride, still a good distance from home, and facing yet another decision.  Parenthetically, when it comes to Peet’s Coffee, I’m like a moth to a light.  I have to stop. 

My fuel on my rides is cheese sticks (protein), this gel-like stuff in a little pouch (carbohydrates), electrolyte pills (think Gatorade without the sugar and liquid), and water.  Combining all that with the pills I take for my knees, the fish oil I take for Omega 3's, ibuprofen, and a variety of other vitamins and supplements, there's a sad truth I need to face.  I'm doping.  Mind you, this puts me in good company.  Lance Armstrong and Barry Bonds come to mind.  But back to the decision I faced while resting at Peet’s.

I had one cheese stick left, I needed the protein, but this was a five-hour-old cheese stick that had been warming nicely in a bag attached to the underside of my bicycle seat.  Add to that, at an earlier rest stop I discovered two cheese sticks buried in the back of that same bag that had been there for untold weeks.  Man, just writing that makes my stomach turn.

So staring at my last, warm, limp, cheese stick I'm thinking, "Do I feel lucky?" I needed it.  I ate it and hopped on my bike wanting to get home as soon as possible because I had no idea if the cheese stick I just consumed would have a positive or negative effect.

The last what I thought would be 15 miles turned out to be 20 miles which meant the original plan of a 55 miler turned into 70!  That’s 70 plus 3900 feet of climbing!!  As I returned home I was certain I was not going out Sunday.  Sunday arrived and out I went for a ride up Mount Diablo, well, as far as my thighs would take me.

Leaving the house Sunday I was surprised I was even riding and Diablo seemed like a good test.  Starting at the base of Diablo it became clear that the summit was not happening today.  Every switchback was a call to stop as my thighs were burning from the prior day's ride.  Eventually, I made it to the Junction, and called it a day.  It was a beautiful day, indeed, and the first time this year I broke out the short-sleeved jersey.  By the end of the weekend, the two rides totaled 90 miles, 6,100 feet of climbing, over 7,100 calories burned, and a distain of cheese sticks.

All of that effort resulted in about 3 more pounds of weight loss bringing the total to 88 pounds and now within spitting distance of the 100 pound goal.  And speaking of goals, I'm determined to raise $20,000 for the school.  Need about $7,000 more in donations plus my employer's matching to make it.  I feel, like the 12 pounds, $7,000 is a forgone conclusion.  It is within spitting distance as well.  If you're thinking of giving, grab your credit card now and get it done.  And please pay in dollars not cheese sticks.

Remember, you don’t have to donate, you get to donate.

Happy Easter!! 

Double Dollars – Double Ride

Summing up last week in a word, "Fantastic"!  Super intense at work with a couple very long days tossed in for good measure, but Wednesday, one of those long days, is a day I will not soon forget.

Wednesday morning, after discussing a few potential projects with my boss, our conversation turned to the Tour du Burundi.  He and I don't speak of it often, but this morning was different, and I raised the issue of employer matching funds raised by employees for charitable events.  Had heard that other divisions do such things but hadn't seen it in our division.

After a brief conversation he approved matching funds but wanted to cap it and asked what I intended to raise.  I told him $15,000.  He then approved matching funds up to $10,000!  I almost starting crying but thought he would fire me for doing so and then there would be no matching funds so I kept the tears to myself.

That two minute conversation instantly doubled what has already been contributed to date, $2,175, and it means that every dollar donated going forward is two dollars donated!  I've reset my goal from $15,000 to $20,000 because of my employer's generosity.  So cool!

Leaving the office that day, again long and intense, as I stepped out the front door, before me was the moon in my absolute favorite phase, a crescent moon with just the smallest bit of moon visible.  This night, however, as I looked west, the moon was positioned as if it looked like a smile.  Instantly I felt like God was smiling down on me, hugging me after a long day, and saying, "You're doing great raising money for my kids in Burundi".  It felt great!!  Mind you, God smiles down on me all the time, whether raising money for His kids or when I choose paths that are not His plan.  It's called unconditional love and I'm so grateful He feels that way about me.  By the way, He has that same love for you too, no matter your past or where you fall on the faith spectrum.  Unconditional is, after all, unconditional.

So with that encouragement I set my sights for the weekend rides.  This is the first weekend of riding outside two consecutive days, something I've never attempted, so I was really curious how this would play out.  Set out Saturday morning for Redwood Road (50 miles) and met up with a group of women training for the Cinderella Ride which is a women's only ride.  I often thought there should be a men’s only Prince Charming ride but can't imagine the cast of characters that would take part in that event so maybe that's not such a good idea.

I started riding with one of the trainers in the group, a man, who seemed fairly intense, when we were passed by another rider who said nothing when approaching from behind.  The safe thing to do is to call out, "On your left” (or right) when passing.  The three of us found ourselves at a stop light.  Me on the left, the unsafe passer in the middle, and the intense trainer dude on the right.  Me?  I'm quiet and just happy to hit a red light to grab some water and catch my breath.  My new found trainer buddy decides to take it upon himself to tell the unsafe passer guy just exactly how unsafe he was.

Needless to say it was not a cordial conversation and me, ever the peacemaker, decided to tap the unsafe passer on the right shoulder and once I got his attention I said, "I still love you".  He didn't take my comment in the caring manner in which it was given.  I think I tried to follow it up with a second inane comment when he cut me off and said he really couldn't hear me because his ear buds were in.  That's unsafe as well but who am I to bring up more of this guy’s poor judgment during a 30 second red-light?  So, I asked, "What are you listening to?".  "Music" came the reply.  Now I'm no sales person but I got the sense this was not the time to ask him if he wanted to donate to the Tour du Burundi.  The light turned green and off he went and I spent the next 15 minutes of the ride pondering the question of why I spoke up in the first place.  Hey, you gotta find something to occupy your time on these longer rides.

With that drama behind me I settled into a great ride.  On rides like Redwood I have my set resting places and one of them is after descending Redwood there is a stop sign where Pinehurst meets Redwood.  Continue on Redwood and in a couple miles you're on Skyline Boulevard which offers great vistas of the Bay.  Take a sharp right on Pinehurst, an uphill climb, and you've made the turn towards home.  Today my path was Pinehurst but regardless of which road I take I always rest where Pinehurst meets Redwood.

I felt so good as I approached Pinehurst this strange thought came into my head, "What if I don't rest.  What if I turn right and climb Pinehurst?". I have to say, this is just weird.  Might it be that I'm getting in better shape?  So turn right I did without the traditional rest and the Pinehurst climb was, well, easy.  You have to understand these are not typical Burundi Dave bicycle ride experiences.

Another oddity now occurring is how I feel on descents.  Not being as top-heavy as I once was I can approach downhill turns with more speed.  Now I'm not like many cyclists who fly downhill like a friggin' dart but I am going faster because I feel so much more in control of my bike.  Clearly my center of gravity is lower and it's yet another blessing as a result of training for the ride.

So with riding day 1 in the books, I saddle up for a 40 miler on Sunday, the Windmill ride (see an earlier post which explains the Windmill ride).  My biggest concern, quite frankly, how's it going to feel sitting on a bike seat after Redwood the previous day?  I won't go into details but let's just say there were no issues.  Two great things about this ride:  the hills are a bright green as you can see in these pictures, and; the Windmill ride being relatively flat, I decided to push my pace to find out what I had left in the tank. Turns out I averaged 17 mph, a 1 mph improvement from the same ride 6 weeks ago.  Suh-weet!!

The Tour du Burundi is now just two months away and everything is progressing nicely!  Oh and quickly, I have lost another 8+ pounds over the past few weeks bringing my cumulative total lost to 85 pounds, just 15 from my goal.

So like I said, a fantastic week!  Haven’t decided where I am riding this weekend but the weather forecast…spectacular, so I have many options!!

Thanks for being a part of all this. 

Burundi BHAG

BHAG – Pronounced BEE-hag

Attended a company retreat this week focusing on this question, “What is our company’s BHAG?”  BHAG, a Big Hairy Audacious Goal, is defined as a strategic business statement which is created to focus an organization on a single medium-long term organization-wide goal which is audacious, likely to be externally questionable, but not internally regarded as impossible.  The primary example given was John F. Kennedy’s statement in 1962 that the U.S. would put a man on the moon and bring him back again by the end of the decade.

Great discussion regarding our company’s BHAG but it got me thinking, if I’m a young kid in Burundi what’s my BHAG?  My wife and I recently received letters from two boys we have supported since 2007 that may give you some insight.  But first, some history.

My first mission trip brought my son, 16 at the time, and me to Burundi where we met Simon, the mastermind behind the Tour du Burundi, and Freddy Tuyizere, Burundi’s National Director of Youth for Christ, the organization that built the Gitega International Academy, the school for which we are riding.

Standing, in 2007, with Simon and Freddy on a site with just a few buildings built of a future orphanage - Gitega Homes of Hope, and a future school - Future Hope School, they told me they needed a huge sum of money to complete the two projects. I don’t remember the exact amount needed, however, my thought was, honestly, no way will that kind of money flow into Burundi.  But that was me limiting God and men of faith like Simon and Freddy.

Now, not only has Gitega Homes of Hope Orphanage and Future Hope School been completed and operating for years, under Freddy’s direction and with Simon’s support the Gitega International Academy was completed in 2012.  Seeing how these men get things done and honor the resources given to them is one of the reasons I support them and have signed on for the Tour du Burundi.  It’s why I feel comfortable asking for support to help the new Gitega International Academy.

So getting back to my question, if I’m a young kid in Burundi what’s my BHAG?  The letters from Thacien and Elise`, expressing their hope for the future, are really no different than what we wanted as kids, the difference being they were born in Burundi, and most of you reading this were born in a “first-world” country.  If you asked them, I’m not sure if they would tell you their hopes expressed in these letters are their BHAG, but I can tell you they need to attend a well-funded secondary school to keep their hopes alive.  Please read these letters then consider clicking here to donate.

Praise the Lord,

This is Thacien, I am glad to have this opportunity to tell you how grateful I am for everything that you have done for me. Thank you very much for being my friend and keeping close to your heart all this time.

I am 12 years old and will be making 13 on the 11^th of July. I am in grade six which is the final year of primary school. I am so excited to get through this year and join secondary school. I hope to join Gitega International Academy next year and there is too much study going on, so I and all my brothers and sisters in grade six are working as hard as we can. Being the oldest, I have a big responsibility to produce the best since all my younger brothers and sisters are looking up to me and I also would not like to let down everyone’s expectation. Actually no one is telling me this but I just have the feeling, I mean if you understand what I am trying to say.

I enjoy all the games we play at the orphanage with the kids, but my best are football and hula hooping. Sometimes we watch a movie in the evening which is so refreshing from all the studies and the chores.

When I grow up I hope to become a pastor and a very good football player.

I hope to write to you again and I will always pray that the Lord will continue blessing you. I hope you are doing okay. Send my greetings to all your family and friends.

Oh and just the last thing, if you ever get to feel scared and worked up, or overwhelmed by a certain fear, always tell your heart out loud that “it is well” as many times as you can be able to believe it. I always use it and it works. I love you so much.

Your friend always Thacien,

Gitega Homes of Hope.

Praise God,

I am called Elise`, and I am over joyed to be writing to you. Thank you very much for all the help you send me and for keeping me close to you heart all the time. You are a good friend.

I am in grade five and I am 10 years old. I will be making 11 this April on the 12^th. Back at the orphanage everyone is fine and I am doing alright. At school we are studying harder than ever because we are semi candidates. But when am not studying, I play football with my brothers at the orphanage and some girls and sometimes I make toy cars or play halu hooping which is a new game Hayley taught us.

My best meals at home are when we have meat, and I also enjoy the days for watching movies.

When I grow up I want to become a pastor and also play great footballer.

Thank you again, I love you so much. Send my greetings to all your friends and family

Your friend Elise`,

Gitega Home of Hope.

In a word, humbling.  I read these letters and am so thankful that my wife and I get to support Thacien and Elise`.  One of the major takeaways from the 2007 Burundi trip was simply that there is life happening on the other side of the planet.  May seem silly but suddenly Burundi was no longer a spot on a map.  Burundi is people, Simon, Freddy, Thacien, Elise`, and all the other people we encountered, living life just like we do. Children dream just like ours.  I love looking at the moon and thinking about my friends over there and when I’m in Africa I look at the moon and think of my friends over here.  It’s just a way for me to connect with the people I care about.

I’m not expecting any of you to sign up for monthly support for a couple of African kids but I am asking you to donate to the Gitega International Academy which will give generations of children a chance to accomplish their BHAG.  Give and then start looking at the moon knowing you too have a connection with people, literally, on the other side of the world.  Go on, give it a shot.  It’s a great feeling!

Wind and Weight

Altamont Windmills

Was fortunate to have my riding buddy join me as we headed east on Altamont Pass Road to the Mountain House Bar (no drinking, just resting) last Tuesday for what turned out to be a 66 mile ride.  About 15 miles into the ride my rear tire went flat.  No biggie but while changing the inner tube my buddy kept saying, "Remember, you GET to do this".  Mocking me based on my previous post.

Typically, the Altamont Pass ride includes a tailwind out and a headwind back.  Wind flows constantly through this area, so much so, that many windmills, not Don Quixote windmills but green energy windmills, are installed like those pictured.  That's the California Aqueduct in the foreground.  This day's wind was almost the reverse and it wasn't too bad biking back and seemed like we caught a break.

North Livermore Road

My buddy took a nasty fall earlier in the ride, in fact he later learned he broke his collarbone, so 40 miles into the ride we parted ways approaching North Livermore Road.  His path was north toward home, mine south.  After a few miles of riding south I too turned north to make my way back home.   Whatever pleasure I gained from an easy day on Altamont Pass Road was blown away, literally, by an in-your-face wind the final 20 miles of the day's ride.

I'll share in a later post my thoughts on how wind on a bicycle ride in many ways parallels life's challenges.

Made it home, much more tired and sore than expected, but after burning 4,900 calories on the ride I was anticipating the results of my Wednesday weigh-in day just 18 hours away.

I guess I will take a wind-in-your-face ride any day if it helps produce results like 5 pounds lost since last week!!  Sometimes challenges we face produce unexpected positive results and this was certainly one of them.  That makes 75 pounds total and now 3/4 of the way to the ultimate goal.

Whoo hoo!!!!

Lone Cherry Tree on Altamont

Just thinking about the weight loss makes me want to include this picture taken on Altamont Pass Road because I feel like Spring. You know, like a re-birth.  Enjoy!