“I am well, thank God, and in high spirits.” (Sgt. John Ordway, on Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery) That is the message that my SPOT Satellite Tracker sent to Dan Grafton at the start and end of each day’s ride.
The ride is done. It took a bit longer than expected, but on two beautiful days in early September, I rode 59 miles for the Lord's work on the South Dakota reservations, plus the 9 miles we actually got done in July on the Lower Brule Reservation in the 105 degree heat index, for a total of 68 miles! From a personal standpoint, it is interesting that I was at least temporarily stopped on the reservation of the Lower Brule, or Teton Sioux; the same tribe whose predecessors almost stopped Lewis and Clark and the Corps on their journey up the Missouri River.
This has not been an easy year, or an easy journey for me, and I am grateful and humbled by your prayers and support for this ministry and myself. On the Sunday before Labor Day, I rode the farthest and fastest (25.01 miles at an average of 14.1 MPH) that I had ridden this year. Granted, with a stiff tailwind, but considering my recovery from my brain injury, it was quite an accomplishment. As I rode, I couldn’t help but think of Olympic gold medalist and missionary Eric Liddel’s famous quote, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” As I have healed, I have hoped and prayed to feel that same thing, God’s pleasure with what I was doing. The next day, without the benefit of the wind at my back, I was able to ride from Hinckley to Moose Lake, a distance of 33.85 miles, the farthest I have ridden this year, and the farthest I have ridden since the “Ride Across the Rez” last summer with Pastor Jeff. Not only did I feel His pleasure, but I felt your prayers, as well.
Now it is on to helping with possible Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches with Pastor Tim and Elaine Harris, and planning for the bike trips next summer. We are currently planning another trip, or maybe even two trips to Sioux Country, and have also been invited to return to northwestern Russia, and ride from village to village doing evangelism and helps ministry. We’re looking at next year with anticipation and excitement!
In closing, let me leave you with this quote from Tim Scott, a young friend of mine who is a missionary to the very farthest reaches of the planet; “The time we are given is a quest; A quest to deliver the message of hope. It is a journey that leads you to the end of the earth, into the face of the unknown... It is a moment when you step out of the normal life and live for something more. It is an expedition measured not in
distance...but in the everlasting. This is the story of our journey that has brought us around the world, to witness the moments of eternity.”
Thank you for your generosity that helps us support the ministry of reservation pastors and missionaries along the Missouri River, and reach out with the Gospel message to “the nations within.”
Lila Pilamaya, (Lakota for "Thank you so much!")
The ride is done. It took a bit longer than expected, but on two beautiful days in early September, I rode 59 miles for the Lord's work on the South Dakota reservations, plus the 9 miles we actually got done in July on the Lower Brule Reservation in the 105 degree heat index, for a total of 68 miles! From a personal standpoint, it is interesting that I was at least temporarily stopped on the reservation of the Lower Brule, or Teton Sioux; the same tribe whose predecessors almost stopped Lewis and Clark and the Corps on their journey up the Missouri River.
This has not been an easy year, or an easy journey for me, and I am grateful and humbled by your prayers and support for this ministry and myself. On the Sunday before Labor Day, I rode the farthest and fastest (25.01 miles at an average of 14.1 MPH) that I had ridden this year. Granted, with a stiff tailwind, but considering my recovery from my brain injury, it was quite an accomplishment. As I rode, I couldn’t help but think of Olympic gold medalist and missionary Eric Liddel’s famous quote, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.” As I have healed, I have hoped and prayed to feel that same thing, God’s pleasure with what I was doing. The next day, without the benefit of the wind at my back, I was able to ride from Hinckley to Moose Lake, a distance of 33.85 miles, the farthest I have ridden this year, and the farthest I have ridden since the “Ride Across the Rez” last summer with Pastor Jeff. Not only did I feel His pleasure, but I felt your prayers, as well.
Now it is on to helping with possible Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches with Pastor Tim and Elaine Harris, and planning for the bike trips next summer. We are currently planning another trip, or maybe even two trips to Sioux Country, and have also been invited to return to northwestern Russia, and ride from village to village doing evangelism and helps ministry. We’re looking at next year with anticipation and excitement!
In closing, let me leave you with this quote from Tim Scott, a young friend of mine who is a missionary to the very farthest reaches of the planet; “The time we are given is a quest; A quest to deliver the message of hope. It is a journey that leads you to the end of the earth, into the face of the unknown... It is a moment when you step out of the normal life and live for something more. It is an expedition measured not in
distance...but in the everlasting. This is the story of our journey that has brought us around the world, to witness the moments of eternity.”Thank you for your generosity that helps us support the ministry of reservation pastors and missionaries along the Missouri River, and reach out with the Gospel message to “the nations within.”
Lila Pilamaya, (Lakota for "Thank you so much!")
We are proceeding on...
The Two-Wheeled Explorer
Isanti, MN
Isanti, MN
