Bring Me Hope Bike-A-Thon

A good friend of Andrew's, another Andrew, put together a Bike-A-Thon to raise money to send Chinese orphans to camp for a week. His mom told him at the beginning of the school year to find a cause that he felt needed support and research it. He chose Bring Me Hope. Andrew's family adopted 2 beautiful children from China and another good friend of ours, the Poorman's, have recently adopted an adorable little girl from China also so this cause was near to (my) Andrew's heart. All the bikers raised pledges before it began. Andrew is a bit shy at times and wasn't sure how to approach people. He was very intent on trying to sell the $125 package because that would send one child to camp, the child would call you and some other great benefits. He was a bit discouraged after he realized people were not buying that package. But he rallied and did well. The bike-a-thon started at 9 a.m.

Here they are learning a bit more about the organization and the rules of the day.

On your mark, get set, go!

Abi and I stayed to cheer and encourage them all. He looks tired, doesn't he? This was on lap 20!


Tired after it was over but enjoying his starburst!

Overall, Andrew did a total of 32 laps which is 16 miles! At the end his dad promised a $100 bonus if he reached 30 and he did! The most laps were 49! What encouraged my heart the most in this, with Andrew, is that he knew there were prizes for the most money raised and most laps but he was not motivated by that. Not that this makes him a better person by any means! Normally that is all that motivates him! But he truly cared about making sure that these orphans have a chance to go to camp. He has heard the stories from our friends and where and how their children lived before they were blessed with their forever family. He wanted these children to feel loved and to have fun for this week.

And the best part overall?! They, these 8 bike riders!, raised enough to send 31 kids to camp! How great is our God?! How wonderful that (the other) Andrew answered God's calling to his heart for this ministry. His grandfather and brother will also be volunteering at one of the camps so they will in turn get to hear what a blessing the camp is.