I've been waiting awhile to write my final blog posting, perhaps trying to gain some perspective on the event and my experiences. Maybe more will come as more time passes by but this is where I'm at right now.
I found myself throughout this week thinking about where I was exactly a week ago from any given time; whether it was rolling past Wyoming buttes, Iowa cornfields, or climbing unforgiving Appalachian hills. It's interesting, while I was actually doing those things, I wasn't thinking about my life a week prior; I was thinking about others' lives a world away. When you are on the saddle for that amount of time, no matter how hard you are pushing yourself, you still have time to think, and during that time I was forcing myself to think about my experiences in the Congo, the people I knew there, the documentaries I had watched, etc... Now that it is over, my tendency is to reflect more on the race rather than what the race was about.
I think this is normal and natural for all of us, which is why it takes a level of intentionality and deliberate effort to remember and remind ourselves of the reality that our friends and brothers and sisters in the Congo find themselves in. Stephan Bauman said it best at the conclusion of the race, that if over the next five years people would pray for Congo as much as they have prayed for us (the riders) this week, perhaps we would have a different country in five years.
Perhaps.
Oftentimes when people ask me what they can do for Congo and I tell them to begin by praying, they respond by saying "yeah, well, besides for that..." Comments like that betray our confidence in prayer and the one who hears our prayers. Because we cannot quantify (or qualify) the results of our prayer, because the God we pray to can neither be seen, heard, nor touched, because we are an immediate, pragmatic culture we tend to disqualify and discount the power of prayer. But Jesus, the one who saw the invisible and prioritized the eternal, had a different perspective: "without me you can do nothing." Whoa.
Jesus put prayer at the top of his list of strategies. He spent whole nights in prayer, weeks in fasting and prayer, and taught his followers to pray continually. Perhaps he knew something we don't know, or still haven't quite figured out. As we come to a conclusion of sorts in our adventure together (for those of us who followed along during the race) I want to continue to encourage all of us to engage, learn, give generously, and go when we can; but certainly do not neglect this vital aspect of prayer for Congo, that God's Kingdom would come and his will would be done. Certainly Jesus would not have instructed his followers to pray this prayer if there were no chance of it actually coming to pass. For this reason alone, we can find hope and a reason to be optimistic about Congo.
I would like to propose we engage on a grand experiment. Who knows, perhaps if we all prayed continually for the Congo over the next five years we would see a different country entirely. Here's to having a small part of making that a reality.
Peace.
Mike
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Race thoughts and pictures
Check out the latest Race for Congo thoughts entitled "The Earthquake Within" by rider, Joe Johns at: http://raceforcongo.tumblr.com/. There are pictures there as well.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Marathon for Peace
Last week’s Race for Congo was a sprint across America. The riders pushed themselves around the clock in order to arrive in Baltimore in a week. As an observer, new updates were exciting to read and I found myself “glued to my computer.” The focus was largely on the 8 riders making it across America safely and efficiently. As a culture, I think we really like the intensity and the excitement of sprints. Marathons, on the other hand, aren’t as exciting to watch and it’s easy to lose focus on the race.
This week as the riders, crew and those of us watching have returned to normalcy, Eastern Congo continues the marathon of living in a war zone, while hoping to see peace sometime in their lifetime.
They have no choice but to stay in the race.
The goal of the ride was to raise money for peace initiatives; this goal was accomplished by the fact that $107,000 has been raised so far. This is great but the Bible tells us in Isaiah 58:6:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
As an American Christian, I admit that it is much easier for me to give money than to think about breaking chains of injustice, freeing people from their burdens and setting the oppressed free. I know that as we step into God’s plan for our lives that it requires more than our checkbooks – it costs us our desires, our plans and our wills.
In 2010, God asked me to give up Pepsi and sweet treats. It sounds quite silly that that was my “sacrifice.” But the cravings became reminders to me to pray for Congo, for a woman being raped and for evil to be driven out. While in Congo I sat in the home of Esperance, a woman whose husband had died from the violence and who later became pregnant as a result of a rape. Just a month before we arrived she explained that she had nearly been raped again because she has no choice but to go work in the fields. In that moment, God spoke to me and raised the question, “Did I pray for her?” Was my prayer effective in getting her away from the rapist? The message was clear: Keep praying!
I need the reminders to keep praying so I am once again giving up Pepsi and desserts in order to pray for Congo. Will you join me in fasting from something in your life and allow God to use it as a reminder to pray?
We’ve enjoyed the sprint across America. Now I invite you to not lose sight of Congo’s marathon. I invite you to learn more, pray, fast and to have your heart broken by the suffering in the Congo.
Kristi
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Showing tonight, August 10th
Come see "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" tonight at 7pm at the West Bend Library. This is a very inspiring documentary about the women of Liberia.
Invite your friends and family to understand the need for supporting peace initiatives in Congo and also be encouraged that when people unite for good, it can become a powerful movement!
Mark your calendar for future videos:
August 17th, The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo, WB Library 7pm
August 25th, Pushing the Elephant, WB Library 7pm
Register today for the local ride for Congo to ensure you have a t-shirt the day of the ride! Call Kristi at 262-335-2643.
Invite your friends and family to understand the need for supporting peace initiatives in Congo and also be encouraged that when people unite for good, it can become a powerful movement!
Mark your calendar for future videos:
August 17th, The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo, WB Library 7pm
August 25th, Pushing the Elephant, WB Library 7pm
Register today for the local ride for Congo to ensure you have a t-shirt the day of the ride! Call Kristi at 262-335-2643.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Local Ride for Congo
West Bend's Ride for Congo is August 20th.
Hear Mike speak about his week of riding across country, enjoy a fun morning riding the trail or on the road with the Moran's. There will be a family stop at Ziegler Park. All proceeds help Congo.
Register by August 10th to ensure a t-shirt for the day of the ride!
Forms at: http://www.kettlebrook.org/rideforcongo.pdf
Hear Mike speak about his week of riding across country, enjoy a fun morning riding the trail or on the road with the Moran's. There will be a family stop at Ziegler Park. All proceeds help Congo.
Register by August 10th to ensure a t-shirt for the day of the ride!
Forms at: http://www.kettlebrook.org/rideforcongo.pdf
Monday, August 8, 2011
Honror Mike's sacrifice
Please consider giving $35 (10 cents for every mile Mike rode) towards the fund raising for peace initiatives. Honor the sacrifice and effort of Mike, the 7 other riders and crew.
All funds raised will be doubled by a generous World Relief donor! This will go a long ways towards lasting changes towards peace and reconciliation.
Go to www.worldrelief.org/raceforcongo/mikemoran
All funds raised will be doubled by a generous World Relief donor! This will go a long ways towards lasting changes towards peace and reconciliation.
Go to www.worldrelief.org/raceforcongo/mikemoran
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Long Live the Granny Gear!
Okay, we made it. We're not done, but we made it through the most difficult part. Gahenna, the valley of death, Sheol, Hades... you get the picture. Yes, I'm talking about Pennsylvania. Last night at 10:00 our team reached its breaking point. Support team members were concerned we were pushing the limits of safety, people were tired, not ever getting more than 3 hrs. sleep at a time, Team Kiwanji (the other four riders) had just gone through more than their share of construction traffic in what amounted to a freeway bypass around Cooperstown, OH. Nerves were shot, emotions were running high. We were looking down the barrel of an all-nighter through the Appalachians on small two-lane winding roads with no shoulder, and while we were all parked outside this closed gas station debating... it began to rain.
The question effectively was "how to proceed?" And their were no shortage of opinions, having several type-A leaders on board. But Joe Johns, associate pastor of Fellowship in Fort Wayne reminded us that how we settle this matter was as important as the peace-building we hope to see happen. In the end humility on all sides won out, we spent time collectively in prayer, and delegated the final decision to three key players on the trip. One rider commented that that moment will be the highlight of the trip for him.
In the end, the decision was made that team Rubare (the team I was on) would continue as planned into the Appalatians with only the chase vehicle continuing. We would be a tight, nimble group, probably not get any sleep all night, and not be concerned about time or pace at all, but just moving forward. We put three bikes on the rack, Joe set out into the night on bike, and the mini-van followed right behind him with a driver and three riders inside.
The advantages to driving at night are: low traffic volume. The disadvantages are: well, you can't see more than 20 feet ahead of you, the roads are unfamiliar, there are drunk drivers (it was Saturday night), you are not extremely visible to other drivers... you get the picture.
And oh yeah, it was raining.
And foggy.
We went up hills that would go up and up and up without any foreseeable end. We passed by a recently overturned 4x4. Twice riders got off and walked. One cramped up. Sometimes we cheated and held on to the chase van's open front window to help pull us up the extra grade. I continually rode in my granny gear (the bottom sprocket on the front cog of my bike), something I never do at home. But consistently we made it to the tops.
And then we had to go down.
Did I mention it was raining?
When you are riding a bike and finally crest a hill and pass by road signs telling trucks to shift into a low gear because of a 14% grade for the next mile and a half you should be elated.
We were terrified.
Bicycle brakes aren't notorious for working well in the rain, and we were about to put ours to the ultimate stress test. Eventually we made it back to saner pastures, breaking into the more rolling foothills of rural Pennsylvania, passing by within three miles of the crash site of Flight 93 on 9/11. We were thankful for a better landing.
It was rigorous and treacherous, but we made it. And by tomorrow at this time, I will be at Hollander Cafe in downtown Wauwatosa on my way home from Mitchel Airport enjoying a Hot Mess (yes, that is on the breakfast menu).
But for many Congolese, their ordeal is far from over. Indeed it may never be over until Jesus, the Prince of Peace comes to renew this Earth. In Matthew 13, Jesus promises in one of my favorite verses that he will come again and "weed out from the earth all who do evil and everything that causes sin." The Shalom of God will prevail and dominate the earth. There will be no more injustice. There will be no more pain. The world will be a safe place for people once again.
But in the meantime, he calls us, his followers to strive for this shalom, to work for it, to pray for it, knowing perhaps that it will never perfectly be manifested outside of the return of the King, but as his subjects we are to demonstrate it in our lives and actions. Jesus said that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5). Light is meant to shine not in light, but in darkness. We are invited to invade and penetrate some of the darkest places with the light of Jesus and his coming Kingdom. There are many dark places to be sure, but the one that has been put on our plate as a community, so to speak, is Eastern Congo. In just a few hours all eight riders will rendezvous 30 miles outside of Baltimore and ride into the city together.
But my prayer is that the Race for Congo is far from over. May the interest and engagement and generosity and prayer and repentance and change in lifestyle continue unabated well into the future.
And may His Kingdom come, and His will be done in Congo, just as it is always done in Heaven.
Peace.
Mike
The question effectively was "how to proceed?" And their were no shortage of opinions, having several type-A leaders on board. But Joe Johns, associate pastor of Fellowship in Fort Wayne reminded us that how we settle this matter was as important as the peace-building we hope to see happen. In the end humility on all sides won out, we spent time collectively in prayer, and delegated the final decision to three key players on the trip. One rider commented that that moment will be the highlight of the trip for him.
In the end, the decision was made that team Rubare (the team I was on) would continue as planned into the Appalatians with only the chase vehicle continuing. We would be a tight, nimble group, probably not get any sleep all night, and not be concerned about time or pace at all, but just moving forward. We put three bikes on the rack, Joe set out into the night on bike, and the mini-van followed right behind him with a driver and three riders inside.
The advantages to driving at night are: low traffic volume. The disadvantages are: well, you can't see more than 20 feet ahead of you, the roads are unfamiliar, there are drunk drivers (it was Saturday night), you are not extremely visible to other drivers... you get the picture.
And oh yeah, it was raining.
And foggy.
We went up hills that would go up and up and up without any foreseeable end. We passed by a recently overturned 4x4. Twice riders got off and walked. One cramped up. Sometimes we cheated and held on to the chase van's open front window to help pull us up the extra grade. I continually rode in my granny gear (the bottom sprocket on the front cog of my bike), something I never do at home. But consistently we made it to the tops.
And then we had to go down.
Did I mention it was raining?
When you are riding a bike and finally crest a hill and pass by road signs telling trucks to shift into a low gear because of a 14% grade for the next mile and a half you should be elated.
We were terrified.
Bicycle brakes aren't notorious for working well in the rain, and we were about to put ours to the ultimate stress test. Eventually we made it back to saner pastures, breaking into the more rolling foothills of rural Pennsylvania, passing by within three miles of the crash site of Flight 93 on 9/11. We were thankful for a better landing.
It was rigorous and treacherous, but we made it. And by tomorrow at this time, I will be at Hollander Cafe in downtown Wauwatosa on my way home from Mitchel Airport enjoying a Hot Mess (yes, that is on the breakfast menu).
But for many Congolese, their ordeal is far from over. Indeed it may never be over until Jesus, the Prince of Peace comes to renew this Earth. In Matthew 13, Jesus promises in one of my favorite verses that he will come again and "weed out from the earth all who do evil and everything that causes sin." The Shalom of God will prevail and dominate the earth. There will be no more injustice. There will be no more pain. The world will be a safe place for people once again.
But in the meantime, he calls us, his followers to strive for this shalom, to work for it, to pray for it, knowing perhaps that it will never perfectly be manifested outside of the return of the King, but as his subjects we are to demonstrate it in our lives and actions. Jesus said that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5). Light is meant to shine not in light, but in darkness. We are invited to invade and penetrate some of the darkest places with the light of Jesus and his coming Kingdom. There are many dark places to be sure, but the one that has been put on our plate as a community, so to speak, is Eastern Congo. In just a few hours all eight riders will rendezvous 30 miles outside of Baltimore and ride into the city together.
But my prayer is that the Race for Congo is far from over. May the interest and engagement and generosity and prayer and repentance and change in lifestyle continue unabated well into the future.
And may His Kingdom come, and His will be done in Congo, just as it is always done in Heaven.
Peace.
Mike
The Breaking Point
"Be glad you didn't come on this trip".
Those were Mike's words to me moments ago on a quick phone call. After a week of me saying: "I don't think I could have done it" and him saying: "Oh sure you could have" these were his first words. "It's become everything you would have feared: mountains, fog, darkness, rain, zero visibility".
As the team rolled into Pennsylvania they seemed to have hit that moment that most short term teams hit (if you've been on one you know what I mean), when it all becomes too much. Stress and exhaustion in the face of real (not perceived) danger, bubbles over. They were facing mountains with unending switchbacks in the rain, fog and dark.
After a two hour all- team meeting of decision and prayer what it came down to is that Mike's team of four (with one driver) forged forward being both the chase vehicle and the rider...one van with three bikes on the back rack and a rider in front. "We've been going all night". He said. "We do 15 miles at a time."
For you bikers you'll understand: "it's been switchbacks in granny gear, constantly looking for more gear but it's not there, you get to the top and want to cruise down but there is rain, fog and signs everywhere telling trucks to be cautious."
The rest of the crew and the other team (on whom the Tetons fell solely and squarely if you've been following) are trying to get some much needed rest.
My thoughts turn to the Congolese World Relief team living in the epi-center of the conflict, danger and horror of Eastern Congo. Day after day they soldier on. An unwavering hope in a God who seems to have forgotten that they exist. Facing personal tragedy (death is so near to everyone in Eastern Congo) and hearing, seeing unimaginable pain and tragedy every day. They cannot give up. They cannot leave. They cannot stop. There are no easy answers. You do not tell them: "God works all things together for good...". How can you?
Yet their Hope still rises. Like an amazing flower pushing up through a heap of ashes. Far more beautiful than the hope I have. And so you sit at their feet in awe and amazement. They are true heroes. Their faith dwarfs mine. They are those of whom the world is not worthy.
I find myself longing for their faith and hope but God reminds me quietly that it does not come while I live my life here in the Disney Land of the world...in padded ease and comfort. It comes when all hope in this life is gone. Yet He remains. And in Him we lay our full hope.
I will pray for both teams today. May God meet them in that desperate place and remind them that He is and always will be our only Hope in this life.
Those were Mike's words to me moments ago on a quick phone call. After a week of me saying: "I don't think I could have done it" and him saying: "Oh sure you could have" these were his first words. "It's become everything you would have feared: mountains, fog, darkness, rain, zero visibility".
As the team rolled into Pennsylvania they seemed to have hit that moment that most short term teams hit (if you've been on one you know what I mean), when it all becomes too much. Stress and exhaustion in the face of real (not perceived) danger, bubbles over. They were facing mountains with unending switchbacks in the rain, fog and dark.
After a two hour all- team meeting of decision and prayer what it came down to is that Mike's team of four (with one driver) forged forward being both the chase vehicle and the rider...one van with three bikes on the back rack and a rider in front. "We've been going all night". He said. "We do 15 miles at a time."
For you bikers you'll understand: "it's been switchbacks in granny gear, constantly looking for more gear but it's not there, you get to the top and want to cruise down but there is rain, fog and signs everywhere telling trucks to be cautious."
The rest of the crew and the other team (on whom the Tetons fell solely and squarely if you've been following) are trying to get some much needed rest.
My thoughts turn to the Congolese World Relief team living in the epi-center of the conflict, danger and horror of Eastern Congo. Day after day they soldier on. An unwavering hope in a God who seems to have forgotten that they exist. Facing personal tragedy (death is so near to everyone in Eastern Congo) and hearing, seeing unimaginable pain and tragedy every day. They cannot give up. They cannot leave. They cannot stop. There are no easy answers. You do not tell them: "God works all things together for good...". How can you?
Yet their Hope still rises. Like an amazing flower pushing up through a heap of ashes. Far more beautiful than the hope I have. And so you sit at their feet in awe and amazement. They are true heroes. Their faith dwarfs mine. They are those of whom the world is not worthy.
I find myself longing for their faith and hope but God reminds me quietly that it does not come while I live my life here in the Disney Land of the world...in padded ease and comfort. It comes when all hope in this life is gone. Yet He remains. And in Him we lay our full hope.
I will pray for both teams today. May God meet them in that desperate place and remind them that He is and always will be our only Hope in this life.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Last day of riding and difficult conditions
The riders are biking in Pennsylvania with fog, rolling hills and possible rain. 20 hours to go until they finish in Baltimore. It might feel like the longest day so far.
From Kara...
Thanks to everyone who sent me notes of encouragement and prayers! I'm so glad I went yesterday. Many of you know, I really wanted to be one of the riders in the Race for Congo but it turned out in the end best that it be Mike. So yesterday when I arrived in Polo and picked a spot to wait for them to roll past me, I had a good reality check of just what it's like for the riders...
There was no breeze and high humidity so I was sweating just sitting there. Then I learned that, because the chase vehicle drivers were in desperate need of rest, the team was without a chase vehicle for the day. This meant that the riding team would take the van about 5 miles up the road, park and wait for the rider to catch up, cheer him on, then hop another 5 miles up the road. For those of you know my biking accident history and my tendency towards panic on the road, you'll understand how I felt when Mike said to me on the phone: "we won't have a chase vehicle, honey". And then when I told him that the route we're taking (that I had just driven through) was on a main road, 2 lanes of traffic both ways right through the down town and perhaps we should look for an alternate he said: "We're just going to have to do it, it's what we've been doing all day".
Gulp.
"This is not what I signed up for." was the first thought in my head. I just wanted to ride with my husband with a nice safe chase vehicle protecting us from behind on a nice wide open road with a big fat shoulder. And then God said quietly: "but this is what it takes to do this ride, Kara". Humbled, I hunkered down, prayed and waited for the van.
When Mike and I took off, sure enough we rode right through the down town, at one point had cars on both sides of us while I was letting out loud yelps of "Oh Gosh, oh my!". Soon though we were out on the open rode, however it lacked a shoulder. So we were very close to traffic.
My valiant (and fatigued) husband rode behind me and we biked as fast as we could for 26 miles. At one point he yelled up: "Isn't this GREAT?! We have the best life!!!!". And I yelled back: "we sure do, but I'm hoping it doesn't end when one of these trucks picks us off because they can't see us!"...he yelled back some profound answer about that would be God's timing etc. but I couldn't hear him over the din of the truck that was rumbling past :-) . That's our marriage in a nutshell I guess...Mr. Visionary married to Chicken Little.
When we met up with the van we said a quick and sweaty goodbye as they had to catch up to the rider who was already on his way, pedaling up the road.
Mike thanked me multiple times for coming and passes on his greetings and thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. They've got about 30 hours left, may the awareness they've raised for Congo reach far and wide and be long lasting and effective in bringing about change and hope!
Sincerely,
Kara
There was no breeze and high humidity so I was sweating just sitting there. Then I learned that, because the chase vehicle drivers were in desperate need of rest, the team was without a chase vehicle for the day. This meant that the riding team would take the van about 5 miles up the road, park and wait for the rider to catch up, cheer him on, then hop another 5 miles up the road. For those of you know my biking accident history and my tendency towards panic on the road, you'll understand how I felt when Mike said to me on the phone: "we won't have a chase vehicle, honey". And then when I told him that the route we're taking (that I had just driven through) was on a main road, 2 lanes of traffic both ways right through the down town and perhaps we should look for an alternate he said: "We're just going to have to do it, it's what we've been doing all day".
Gulp.
"This is not what I signed up for." was the first thought in my head. I just wanted to ride with my husband with a nice safe chase vehicle protecting us from behind on a nice wide open road with a big fat shoulder. And then God said quietly: "but this is what it takes to do this ride, Kara". Humbled, I hunkered down, prayed and waited for the van.
When Mike and I took off, sure enough we rode right through the down town, at one point had cars on both sides of us while I was letting out loud yelps of "Oh Gosh, oh my!". Soon though we were out on the open rode, however it lacked a shoulder. So we were very close to traffic.
My valiant (and fatigued) husband rode behind me and we biked as fast as we could for 26 miles. At one point he yelled up: "Isn't this GREAT?! We have the best life!!!!". And I yelled back: "we sure do, but I'm hoping it doesn't end when one of these trucks picks us off because they can't see us!"...he yelled back some profound answer about that would be God's timing etc. but I couldn't hear him over the din of the truck that was rumbling past :-) . That's our marriage in a nutshell I guess...Mr. Visionary married to Chicken Little.
When we met up with the van we said a quick and sweaty goodbye as they had to catch up to the rider who was already on his way, pedaling up the road.
Mike thanked me multiple times for coming and passes on his greetings and thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. They've got about 30 hours left, may the awareness they've raised for Congo reach far and wide and be long lasting and effective in bringing about change and hope!
Sincerely,
Kara
Friday, August 5, 2011
Reflections from Kara...
Today I had the honor of joining the Race for Congo team for 1% of the ride. I met up with the team in Polo, ILL and a short while later, Joe finished his leg and Mike and I raced off south on HWY 52 for his first 26 mile leg of the day. I came away from my time with the team with some realizations...
• One of my favorite places to be, in all the world, is on a bike next to my husband.
• While the send off video and the pictures may make this ride seem like lots of fun, the truth is, it comes down to hour after slow hour of inching across this great country on whatever roads come their way, whatever hills, whatever traffic and whatever weather.
• Though friends and family are at home reading the blogs and looking at the pictures; on the road it's just you, your God and your thoughts. That can feel lonely.
• Now that the chase vehicle is resting during the day (they need sleep too!!!) it can feel vulnerable riding on a county road with no shoulder and lots of big trucks rumbling past.
• Remembering the 'why' takes constant mental discipline.
• 3 hours, or 11 hours is not a very long time for recovery when you are biking as hard as you can.
So now I sit in my comfortable home, I've showered and eaten and tonight I'll sleep in my cozy bed...all night. But the guys and the crew are still out there, slowly inching their way across the country. Something inside me wants for the country to cease all activity and become aware that they are doing this. I want the cars to pull way over and give them space, I want the state troopers to let them ride where they want to, I want people to line the streets and yell encouragement to them as they go. If it was their husband/brother/father/son they would...wouldn't they?
And I guess if the girls, gramma's, women, pregnant ladies, babies (and yes, even boys and men) who were being raped or killed like they are right this moment in Eastern Congo were our daughters, sisters, moms, grammas, babies, or it was happening to our neighbor, we too would want to scream out for the world to cease all activity and notice us...wouldn't we?
May we live our lives remembering and be a voice for the voiceless.
Kara
• One of my favorite places to be, in all the world, is on a bike next to my husband.
• While the send off video and the pictures may make this ride seem like lots of fun, the truth is, it comes down to hour after slow hour of inching across this great country on whatever roads come their way, whatever hills, whatever traffic and whatever weather.
• Though friends and family are at home reading the blogs and looking at the pictures; on the road it's just you, your God and your thoughts. That can feel lonely.
• Now that the chase vehicle is resting during the day (they need sleep too!!!) it can feel vulnerable riding on a county road with no shoulder and lots of big trucks rumbling past.
• Remembering the 'why' takes constant mental discipline.
• 3 hours, or 11 hours is not a very long time for recovery when you are biking as hard as you can.
So now I sit in my comfortable home, I've showered and eaten and tonight I'll sleep in my cozy bed...all night. But the guys and the crew are still out there, slowly inching their way across the country. Something inside me wants for the country to cease all activity and become aware that they are doing this. I want the cars to pull way over and give them space, I want the state troopers to let them ride where they want to, I want people to line the streets and yell encouragement to them as they go. If it was their husband/brother/father/son they would...wouldn't they?
And I guess if the girls, gramma's, women, pregnant ladies, babies (and yes, even boys and men) who were being raped or killed like they are right this moment in Eastern Congo were our daughters, sisters, moms, grammas, babies, or it was happening to our neighbor, we too would want to scream out for the world to cease all activity and notice us...wouldn't we?
May we live our lives remembering and be a voice for the voiceless.
Kara
Films about Congo showing this month
August 10th, 7pm "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," West Bend Library
August 17th, 7pm "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo," West Bend Library
August 25th, 7pm "Pushing the Elephant," Candlelight Collective
All of these films will give a picture of the situation in Congo.
August 17th, 7pm "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo," West Bend Library
August 25th, 7pm "Pushing the Elephant," Candlelight Collective
All of these films will give a picture of the situation in Congo.
Kristi on Compassion...
I biked today, pushing myself harder knowing the riders for Race for Congo were pushing themselves. It's easier to relate to them when I'm trying to push my legs to do more than they want to and it's hot and I'm getting tired. Then a thought crept in, "what if I could understand the life a Congolese woman faces just for a short time by stepping into her world - not just as a visitor, but by sharing her experience?" I know I would come away wanting to tell everyone I could to help, pray, give - do something!
If Greg were killed, my kids either killed or taken to be child soldiers and I was raped, with little hope I would want the world to respond!
This isn't just about giving money! It's about compassion for those who are suffering. We can't just tell ourselves that the problem is to big for one person and go on with our busy schedules, shopping habits, material aspirations and near-sighted view of the world.
Sorry for the ranting.... I struggle myself with knowing how to respond with compassion for people who are 1/2 a world away. It is in this place that God has a lot to teach me!
If Greg were killed, my kids either killed or taken to be child soldiers and I was raped, with little hope I would want the world to respond!
This isn't just about giving money! It's about compassion for those who are suffering. We can't just tell ourselves that the problem is to big for one person and go on with our busy schedules, shopping habits, material aspirations and near-sighted view of the world.
Sorry for the ranting.... I struggle myself with knowing how to respond with compassion for people who are 1/2 a world away. It is in this place that God has a lot to teach me!
Pressing onto Peace
Race for Congo was detoured off of Hwy 20 in Iowa by a State Trooper. They have an alternate route but now are behind by 2 hours. Today they will cycle out of Iowa, through Illinois and into Indiana.
Mike's wife, Kara Moran, is driving down to meet the team in Dixon so she can ride a leg of the race with Mike. No slacking off for Mike on that leg with Kara pushing him from behind!!!
It's thanks to Mike and Kara's leadership that Kettlebrook is involved in the work in Congo. They've helped many of us see beyond ourselves and into a world that God cares for deeply. A world that is hurting and needs us to step into action.
We can easily get overwhelmed with how to help with such enourmous problems. Mike came up with this to help us remember what we can do: PEACE: Pray, Educate, Advocate, Contribute, Experience.
Pray for the people of Eastern Congo and the World Relief staff, pray that God would break our hearts for what breaks His heart
Educate yourself and others about issues in Congo (online at BBC News, Enough project, youtube videos)
Advocate by spreading the word about what you are learning, go to: www.raisehopeforcongo.org to sign a petition for conflict-free minerals to be used in our technology
Contribute to Race for Congo at: www.worldrelief.org/raceforcongo/mikemoran
Experience a local Ride for Congo bike ride on August 20th, hear about Mike's week riding across country
Act for PEACE today!
Mike's wife, Kara Moran, is driving down to meet the team in Dixon so she can ride a leg of the race with Mike. No slacking off for Mike on that leg with Kara pushing him from behind!!!
It's thanks to Mike and Kara's leadership that Kettlebrook is involved in the work in Congo. They've helped many of us see beyond ourselves and into a world that God cares for deeply. A world that is hurting and needs us to step into action.
We can easily get overwhelmed with how to help with such enourmous problems. Mike came up with this to help us remember what we can do: PEACE: Pray, Educate, Advocate, Contribute, Experience.
Pray for the people of Eastern Congo and the World Relief staff, pray that God would break our hearts for what breaks His heart
Educate yourself and others about issues in Congo (online at BBC News, Enough project, youtube videos)
Advocate by spreading the word about what you are learning, go to: www.raisehopeforcongo.org to sign a petition for conflict-free minerals to be used in our technology
Contribute to Race for Congo at: www.worldrelief.org/raceforcongo/mikemoran
Experience a local Ride for Congo bike ride on August 20th, hear about Mike's week riding across country
Act for PEACE today!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
What is our responsibility as consumers?
Yesterday I tried something new as I was biking towards Casper, Wyoming: listening to my ipod while I was biking. This is something I don't normally do due to safety concerns, but I figured I have a chase car following me, a wide shoulder to ride on and as my fellow riders have been doing, I rode with only one earbud in.
It occured to me as I was flying down a descent through some amazing desert scenery (I think REM's "I am Superman" was playing) that I was most likely riding with a piece of Congo in my pocket. Congo is one of the few places in the world where the minerals that go into our consumer electronic devices are found. In fact, greed for Congo’s natural resources has been a principal driver of atrocities and conflict throughout Congo’s tortured history.
This is from the Raise Hope for Congo website:
Profit from the mineral trade is one of the main motives for armed groups on all sides of the conflict in eastern Congo - the deadliest since World War II. Armed groups earn hundreds of millions of dollars per year by trading four main minerals: the ores that produce tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold. This money enables the militias to purchase large numbers of weapons and continue their campaign of brutal violence against civilians, with some of the worst abuses occurring in mining areas. The majority of these minerals eventually wind up in electronic devices such as cell phones, portable music players, and computers.
So as we consider Congo, and our response to the crisis there, is it appropriate to do some soul searching and ask ourselves: "what small part might my own appetite for the latest and greatest gadgets, my own materialism, play in the current conflict in Congo?" And do those of us from nations that are the largest consumers of these electronics then have an obligation to do something about the crisis?
Food for thought. Storm coming in. Gotta pack up.
Peace from Hay Springs, NB.
Mike
It occured to me as I was flying down a descent through some amazing desert scenery (I think REM's "I am Superman" was playing) that I was most likely riding with a piece of Congo in my pocket. Congo is one of the few places in the world where the minerals that go into our consumer electronic devices are found. In fact, greed for Congo’s natural resources has been a principal driver of atrocities and conflict throughout Congo’s tortured history.
This is from the Raise Hope for Congo website:
Profit from the mineral trade is one of the main motives for armed groups on all sides of the conflict in eastern Congo - the deadliest since World War II. Armed groups earn hundreds of millions of dollars per year by trading four main minerals: the ores that produce tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold. This money enables the militias to purchase large numbers of weapons and continue their campaign of brutal violence against civilians, with some of the worst abuses occurring in mining areas. The majority of these minerals eventually wind up in electronic devices such as cell phones, portable music players, and computers.
So as we consider Congo, and our response to the crisis there, is it appropriate to do some soul searching and ask ourselves: "what small part might my own appetite for the latest and greatest gadgets, my own materialism, play in the current conflict in Congo?" And do those of us from nations that are the largest consumers of these electronics then have an obligation to do something about the crisis?
Food for thought. Storm coming in. Gotta pack up.
Peace from Hay Springs, NB.
Mike
Prayer request...
Hey just a quick shout out for prayer to anyone and everyone:
1) We are biking straight into a stiff 15-20mph headwind. Strength and stamina.
2) I may have pulled a hammie or something last night on my final ride. I HAD to sprint to the finish line. When will I remember I'm not 25 anymore?
Peace.
Mike
1) We are biking straight into a stiff 15-20mph headwind. Strength and stamina.
2) I may have pulled a hammie or something last night on my final ride. I HAD to sprint to the finish line. When will I remember I'm not 25 anymore?
Peace.
Mike
What Good Will it Do?
Were descending from the Grand Tetons area to Casper, WY for the next transition. 160 miles, most of it downhill! I'm up in 45min. To check out the exploits of Team Kinjara as they crushed the Tetons (in our absence) check out the team blog: http://raceforcongo.tumblr.com/
While at the KOA, I struck up a conversation with Barbara. She was a sweet lady with a bit of pessimism thrown in for good measure. In her own words: "maybe I've lived too long." But her question to me was a good one: what good will biking across the country do to help people in the Congo, and even more pointedly, she questioned whether we really have a responsibility to do anything to try to help. When I pressed her as to what she thinks we should do to help, she was pretty to the point: "I think we should leave them alone."
I didn't have time to give a well thought out answer, but I did say that if I was a woman in Congo, injurred by rape, shunned by my community, trying to find a way to feed my starving family and I knew there were wealthy Christians in the US and their response to my situation was to "leave them alone" I would feel quite discouraged. But having more time to reflect on our conversation, I wished I would have said this:
First about the bike race.
Our goal is to raise $43,000 (of which we have raised $38,350 thus far) and so that will go far to build peace in the three cities World Relief has targeted for their peacebuilding initiative. If the program has success in those locations, they will be models for future towns and villages. But beyond that, we want to generate interest and raise awareness; to put the plight of the Congo back on our radar screens, so to speak, as the cumulative affect of our culture is to numb us into apathy and selfishness. The prayer is, an event like a ride across the US reminds all of us who care about the Congo, as well as teaching those unaware of the situation. As much as I'm normally against Blogs and socail media, I can't deny the fact that they have done well at creating interest and hopefully empathy leading to action.
Second about our responsibility
Barbara is right of course, she isn't responsible for the people in Eastern Congo and more than she is for the people of Haiti or the situation developing in Eastern Africa. But scripture calls us to compassion. Jesus tells a story of a wealthy man who has a destitute homeless person living at his gate and ignored him every single day. The story concludes with Abraham (in heaven) sharply rebuking the man for his lack of compassion and empathy, resulting in action. The point of the story is clear: we might not be responsible for evey tragedy, but the opposite extreme of selfishness and apathy is even more damning. For us at Kettlebrook (if you are in our community) Congo has been laid at our gate, so to speak. Through a confluence of circumstances God has undeniably invited us into his heart as we begin to be concerned about the people in Goma and Eastern Congo. We won't fix the problem. But we can help. And even more important we resist the tendancy inside us all toward narcissism, self-indulgence, and elitism.
Perhaps we need the Congo more than Congo needs us.
Gotta go and pedal for my brothers and sisters. My time is here. I'm on a vista looking over a beautiful panoramic view of buttes and valleys. WIsh you all could see it!
Peace.
Mike
While at the KOA, I struck up a conversation with Barbara. She was a sweet lady with a bit of pessimism thrown in for good measure. In her own words: "maybe I've lived too long." But her question to me was a good one: what good will biking across the country do to help people in the Congo, and even more pointedly, she questioned whether we really have a responsibility to do anything to try to help. When I pressed her as to what she thinks we should do to help, she was pretty to the point: "I think we should leave them alone."
I didn't have time to give a well thought out answer, but I did say that if I was a woman in Congo, injurred by rape, shunned by my community, trying to find a way to feed my starving family and I knew there were wealthy Christians in the US and their response to my situation was to "leave them alone" I would feel quite discouraged. But having more time to reflect on our conversation, I wished I would have said this:
First about the bike race.
Our goal is to raise $43,000 (of which we have raised $38,350 thus far) and so that will go far to build peace in the three cities World Relief has targeted for their peacebuilding initiative. If the program has success in those locations, they will be models for future towns and villages. But beyond that, we want to generate interest and raise awareness; to put the plight of the Congo back on our radar screens, so to speak, as the cumulative affect of our culture is to numb us into apathy and selfishness. The prayer is, an event like a ride across the US reminds all of us who care about the Congo, as well as teaching those unaware of the situation. As much as I'm normally against Blogs and socail media, I can't deny the fact that they have done well at creating interest and hopefully empathy leading to action.
Second about our responsibility
Barbara is right of course, she isn't responsible for the people in Eastern Congo and more than she is for the people of Haiti or the situation developing in Eastern Africa. But scripture calls us to compassion. Jesus tells a story of a wealthy man who has a destitute homeless person living at his gate and ignored him every single day. The story concludes with Abraham (in heaven) sharply rebuking the man for his lack of compassion and empathy, resulting in action. The point of the story is clear: we might not be responsible for evey tragedy, but the opposite extreme of selfishness and apathy is even more damning. For us at Kettlebrook (if you are in our community) Congo has been laid at our gate, so to speak. Through a confluence of circumstances God has undeniably invited us into his heart as we begin to be concerned about the people in Goma and Eastern Congo. We won't fix the problem. But we can help. And even more important we resist the tendancy inside us all toward narcissism, self-indulgence, and elitism.
Perhaps we need the Congo more than Congo needs us.
Gotta go and pedal for my brothers and sisters. My time is here. I'm on a vista looking over a beautiful panoramic view of buttes and valleys. WIsh you all could see it!
Peace.
Mike
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Good morning from the Grand Tetons!
Pulled an 'all nighter' last night (not really,since I was able to sleep when not biking.) It's odd biking in complete darkness with nothing but the splash of the chase vehicle behind you. Couldn't see my computer, so I had no way of knowing how fast I was going, and difficult to tell whether I was on a flat or incline other than my legs being tired. There are more people in Milwaukee than all of Idaho. Big boy Andrew Hoffman finished off our shift by pulling a 30 miler in 50 degree darkness as we pulled into Ririe.
The team riding now (4-noon) takes us out of ID, and is currently climbing through the Tetons. One man has hit a 54mph descent going Dow Teton pass into Jackson,WY.
We just pulled the RV into the KOA in Duboise. We have about 5 hours until we ride again. Shower, rest, lunch, then more climbing.
Riding in the dark made me reflect on the Congo. Women hiding in the bushes in darkness from Rebel militias. Fear. Unknown. Uncertainty. Nothing is sure or entirely safe. You don't know when your life could change or end in trajedy and injustice.
May God give Kettlebrook the strength to Stand with and for the vulnerable in Congo.
Peace.
Mike
Monday, August 1, 2011
Okay, were here outside of Arco, Idaho waiting for the riding team to arrive which they should be doing in an hour. My team of four finished our turn by riding into Boise by noon. The Boise World Relief team gave us a warm reception cheering me as I rode into the RV park and feeding us a great lunch of homemade lasagna and salad, brownies, etc... Great people. Good to hear about the refugee resettlement program WR has going on in Boise as they try to find housing and jobs for the Afganis, Congolese, and many other refugees that make their way into their city. I wouldn't have equated Boise with internationals!
My last leg was the longest for my group and ended up being 30miles; much of it through city and even a two mile stretch on interstate 84 (YIKES!). That's legal here in Idaho, BTW. Good thing I got the chase car behind me all the way. Still feeling good, pray for a chest cold I'm developing, but seems to be kept at bay. All the mechanical problems we've been experiencing with the vehicles seem to have resolved themselves. Often in a divine/miraculous sort of way.
Not long after I pulled into the RV park, the other team began to gather their things and shove off. They spent the afternoon climbing several thousand feet into the high desert on a hot afternoon. Pray for their stamina. My shift will be the graveyard shift as we move from Idaho into Wyoming. I'll be riding 11:30-12:30 and then again from 3:30 to 4:30am mountain time (add an hour for Wisconsin).
As I'm riding I'm thankful I don't have to walk and struggle in heat like this as do many of our Congolese brothers and sisters. My ride will be done in a week and I will be able to return to a comfortable and safe home. For many people in the Congo home is neither comfortable or safe as the Shalom of God is acutely absent in many places there. I've enjoyed conversations with Joe Johns from Fellowship Missionary Church about the Peace Initiative in Congo his church helped initiate.
Mike Moran
My last leg was the longest for my group and ended up being 30miles; much of it through city and even a two mile stretch on interstate 84 (YIKES!). That's legal here in Idaho, BTW. Good thing I got the chase car behind me all the way. Still feeling good, pray for a chest cold I'm developing, but seems to be kept at bay. All the mechanical problems we've been experiencing with the vehicles seem to have resolved themselves. Often in a divine/miraculous sort of way.
Not long after I pulled into the RV park, the other team began to gather their things and shove off. They spent the afternoon climbing several thousand feet into the high desert on a hot afternoon. Pray for their stamina. My shift will be the graveyard shift as we move from Idaho into Wyoming. I'll be riding 11:30-12:30 and then again from 3:30 to 4:30am mountain time (add an hour for Wisconsin).
As I'm riding I'm thankful I don't have to walk and struggle in heat like this as do many of our Congolese brothers and sisters. My ride will be done in a week and I will be able to return to a comfortable and safe home. For many people in the Congo home is neither comfortable or safe as the Shalom of God is acutely absent in many places there. I've enjoyed conversations with Joe Johns from Fellowship Missionary Church about the Peace Initiative in Congo his church helped initiate.
Mike Moran
Here's a nice news segment about the race out of Oregon...
http://www.ktvz.com/news/28712123/detail.html#.Tjcb29HlTJY.tumblr
http://www.ktvz.com/news/28712123/detail.html#.Tjcb29HlTJY.tumblr
Beautiful sunrise out here in the high desert. Loved my ride. Mix of flats and some climbs. Was able to keep a 20.7 average.
I ride again 11:30-12:30 Wisconsin time. I finish up my teams segment by doing some interstate riding on I-84 into Garden City to a park where an early lunch.awaits.us!
Have been thinking about and praying for Congo while I'm riding.
Peace.
Mike
I ride again 11:30-12:30 Wisconsin time. I finish up my teams segment by doing some interstate riding on I-84 into Garden City to a park where an early lunch.awaits.us!
Have been thinking about and praying for Congo while I'm riding.
Peace.
Mike
Hey everyone.
It's 5:00 here in Oregon, 6:00 once we cross into Idaho. I'm last in my rotation so dodged the nightime bullet this time around. Beautiful dry weather. Was able to connect with my team at the transition point before they started so haven't officially missed anything.
Ask for prayer for mechanical problems. RV and van have been having problems. I'm off in 30 min. To ride into sunrise!
Peace.
Mike
It's 5:00 here in Oregon, 6:00 once we cross into Idaho. I'm last in my rotation so dodged the nightime bullet this time around. Beautiful dry weather. Was able to connect with my team at the transition point before they started so haven't officially missed anything.
Ask for prayer for mechanical problems. RV and van have been having problems. I'm off in 30 min. To ride into sunrise!
Peace.
Mike
On the road...
Race for Congo officially began last night from Bend. Here's a link to follow updates: : http://raceforcongo.tumblr.com/
No word from Mike yet, but he should have met up with the team at about 2:30 am. As soon as I hear from him, we'll get his posting up! Hopefully he got a little sleep at some point!
No word from Mike yet, but he should have met up with the team at about 2:30 am. As soon as I hear from him, we'll get his posting up! Hopefully he got a little sleep at some point!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)