When it's all been said and done - its not done.

"Not for Sale" is an incredible book written by David Batstone that I encourage any person to read. If you have any passion for social justice, read this book. If you dont have a passion for social justice - you'll get one. Today I was reading this book on a patio outside of a coffee shop in the subarbs of Langley BC. I was eating rhubard and apple pie and drinking a mocha topped with whipped cream. As I looked up from my reading I saw far from "middle class" houses, sidewalks dressed with trees, ivy, bushes all beautifully green, and nice clean streets. When I looked back down at my book I read about the child sex trafficking in Peru, one of the many, many places in the world this occurs. The stem of any kind of prostitution - poverty. Some parents will sell their child into trafficking for a colour TV - status.
My heart sinks to read these storie, I look up past my mocha and pie to see a beautiful neighborhood - a mask. I realized that the many kilometers and days of biking I did will not change the world, or uncover the mask - but its a start.
The awarenss we were raising about poverty while on the tour was also an awareness we needed to uncover within ourselves, this was just an introduction, a begining. The tour is over, its done, but our work is not done. While in Palos Heights, just outside Chicago we had a wonderful service before we left that morning for our ride. Aaron Carpenter spoke there and I'll never forget what he said. Palos Heights was his home he said "I'm home, but this morning I woke up and there was still work to do, I still had to go biking. The same is true when we reach Jersey City, the work will not be done, there will still be work to do until God brings us all 'Home.'" All of us have now reached Jersey City and are now back to our respective homes, but the work is not done. It'll continue - the biking is done, but the work isnt. Its now time to continue to struggle with the issues of poverty and social justice by other means.

Day 62/August 30 – Sussex to Jersey City – 98km

The last ride – wow I cannot even believe it – it was here, and it is gone. We had to meet at a staging area 15km outside Jersey City. We got police escorted into Jersey because it was too busy to drive in. Seeing the Empire State building, Statue of Liberty – it was all so surreal.

As we were riding into Liberty State park there were tons of people there cheering – it was so cool to see all the support. Yet again, I couldn’t believe that I had just biked across an entire continent, seen some of the most spectacular scenery, and met many upon many amazing people. It’ll take awhile to “soak” in all of this goodness.

Day 61/August 29 – Dalton to Sussex – 132km

We climbed a bit today, actually a lot, actually to the highest point in New Jersey – wow we made it to New Jersey. Today I biked with my dear friend Eric Stehouwer. Now, I’ve given him a very good nickname – Donkey, but not a donkey as in you would call him the bad three letter word for it, but say it with an English accent like Shrek. Donkey from Shrek, not quite as annoying, but just talks all the time – about nonsense, oh man so funny. We’ll be going up a hill (which we did a lot today) and he’d be talking a mile a minute, which most of the time I had no idea what he was saying. But I found out later that’s his strategery for getting uphill – worked for him, made me laugh – it was all good.

We had a couple cool stops today. We went up an extra climb (I was sad about it at the time) to go to a monument that marked the highest point in New Jersey. From there you could see New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey all at once – it was high. Before all of this Eric and I stopped at “Susie’s Sweet Shop.” There was so much chocolate – the lady gave us free bailey filled truffles – mm mm good!

The goodies just didn’t stop – a local bakery in Sussex gave us free coffee and the baked goods were incredible, oh so goet zoe!

Mom: guess what? We stopped for coffee today and they had fudge just like what you and I get. The signs were even the same! Can we go for some when I come home?

Day 60/August 28 – Binghamton to Dalton – 93km

I think I laughed all day today. Not even kidding a little bit. Starting at breakfast – Theresa and I wore John and Alex’s pink hats – their so sweet, and their pink – therefore I must wear it.

Amidst laughing the entire day, I think we biked downhill almost all day. It was pretty sweet. Then we came into a city that had a bridge called the viaduct. It was beautiful, looks like an aqueduct, but its not. Shortly afterwards, Hans (who I had been riding with all day) decided to switch bikes with Clare Koositra. Now the thing about this is that Clare has a trike – super hard uphill, we all admire him a lot. Funny thing is, we went downhill all day – then when they switched we hit a bunch of hills, big hills – grades that we haven’t seen for weeks. Haha, Lucky for Clare, not for Hansle. But he made it, good job Doefus.

Day 59/August 27 – Romulus to Binghamton – 122km

So, I switched sweep days with Matt Zantingh but because I like my sweep team way too much I decided that I’d do final sweep for one last time. We had a great day – stopped at a winery – which sold fudge and gave out free coffee. Mmm mmm, so good. We also visited Cornell University in Ithaca. Cornell is an Ivy League school – it was so beautiful, old brick buildings, the campus was incredible, all sorts of plants and yep wouldn’t you know it – there was ivy.

Final sweep was awesome guys – Nick, Brad, Ryan, I’ll miss it. We had some sweet times and sweet convos – thanx for all of it.

Day 58/August 26 – Byron to Romulus – 122km

For the majority of the day I biked on my own. I dunno why, but for some reason I had a fire under my bum so I (in the words of Reuben Vyn) “make fast.” But this is Annette’s “make fast” not “Reuben Vyn” make fast. Reuben is a semi-pro bike racer – so he’s a significant amount faster than I am.

We had a church stop today where they made us lunch and it was so incredibley good. We ate so very much that we had to nap – terrible life hey?

We stayed at another state park tonight – I had another nap by the water, in the sun – wow life is really, really tough.

The view was beautiful, as was the sunset – God continues to wow and bless us.

Day 57/August 25 – St. Catharines to Byron – 124km

So today we left this beautiful country, my home – and I’m sad about it. But luckily on the other side into New York the roads were nicely paved, and the shoulders were huge. I must say, biking in New York has probably been the kindest for my poor little tires.

We were able to bike over the rainbow bridge today too – for those that don’t know, that rainbow bridge is the bridge that goes over the Niagara falls – so sweet.

So we bycled, stopped for ho cho (aka hot chocolate) and a peach - sorry, but the peaches are better in Canada. Oh we also stopped at this driving range that also had ice cream – yep went for the ice cream, I hate golf. I did hit one ball went about 75 yards – yeah, at least I hit it. Dumb golf.

The ride was just so beautiful, I still cant figure out what it is about biking that’s so awesome. I wish I could describe it – I told Theresa that if I had JRR Tolkein on my side it would be no problem – she said “read his books, and you’d be able to do it.” Now if I did do that – this blog wouldn’t be completed, probably ever SO I’m not gonna – sorry friends. Just take my advice – its beautiful and I love it.

We stayed at a state park tonight where there happened to be a band consisting of string bass, guitar, and violin who were camping there. It was really neat – they played for us while we had smores. It was sooooo (I’m going to butcher this because I don’t know the correct dutch spelling) ghazeligh – feel free to correct. Whatever the spelling – it was sweet.

Day 56/August 24 – Sabbath in St. Catharines

Again, another relaxing morning – didn’t have the celebration service until early afternoon – so I walked down to a Laundromat, sat there did my laundry and had a great little chat with my good friend Alex. Its been so awesome getting to know people on this tour – so far building new relationships has been just as awesome, if not better than the biking.

So when we got to the celebration service we first had a meet and greet – good thing, it was pouring. We sat underneath a shelter and ate millons of peaches! I guess right now is Ontario’s peach festival – uh, so goet zoe!

And amazingly enough, the sun came out when it was actually time for the service. The service was wonderful. Some of the things said I remember most is one, by the speaker. He challenged us and said, “perhaps in order to alleviate poverty, we need to alleviate affluence.” Imagine a world like that? Could it happen? I feel sometimes overwhelmed to think that such huge changes need to take place. Then one of the cyclists came up and spoke – Aleida. She said that we should envision ourselves as little waves. Everything is a little wave and as God works as the wind – it’ll great a Tsunami effect. It was great to have that visual image. Gave me hope, and the feeling of wind has been ever present on this tour as well – so the visual was even more real.

Mom: Guess what!? I saw Mr. Bandstra today! He gave me a hug from home and said he would say hi to you. Wow, one more week and I’m gonna be on my way home.

Can’t wait to see ya momma!

Day 55/August 23 – Hamilton to St. Catharines – 74km

So today we went bycling (surprise surprise) and at one point we could see all of Hamilton and Lake Ontario – it was a cool sight.

So many stops today! The churches here are great. We stopped at a bakery, a senior’s home, two churches, and our own little detour at a winery. Not only were there churches etc. to stop at, but so many people at the side of the road with signs, water etc. Thank you so much for the support!

I also got to go to Niagara Falls for the first time tonight – it was beautiful. We walked around the area too – some pretty crazy tourist stuff. Hard Rock Café, Guiness World Book of Records Museum, Celebrity wax museums – oh dear. It was crazy. So we went back down to the falls, and since it was night time they were all lit up – so beautiful

Day 54/August 22 – London to Hamilton – 121km

So, I was on sweep today. I didn’t do it too long ago, but I switched places with Matt Zantingh so he could go see his fiancé in Woodstock. Matt thanx for the switch – your sweep team is so fun!

First of all, this morning we had a bit of a late start because Bob lost his shoes, it’s a bit of a funny story. Bob loaded the gear truck in his sandhals, and when it was all over – his shoes were not where he had once had them. We asked around Bert said he thought he saw Walter with them. We called Walter (one of the SAG drivers) he said “yeah I saw them. I put them in a bag. Jake Prins’ bag maybe?” So there went Bob diving into the fully loaded gear truck looking for the bag that had Jake Prins’ name on it – sure enough his shoes were inside. Oh man, that was funny. This first picture is of the filled gear truck with my good friend bobby brown stuck behind all the luggage.

We had a few church stops today – one at Ingersol CRC where my good friend Sarah Zomer is from. Then a lunch stop in Woodstock. On the way to Woodstock I got to see Lynn again, yay! At Woodstock I met my friend Ben Bentum’s dad. That was cool – dutch bingo evermore present in Canada, that’s for sure.

We biked to Redeemer College today – they welcomed us with an amazing dinner and great refreshments. Thanks so much!

Day 53/August 21 – Chatham to London – 121km

First full day biking through Canada. You can almost guarantee that whenever you see a sign off in the distance that it is for sea to sea. The support here is great, its great to be home.

Today we stopped at this place that had a blueberry farm? I guess you would call it. There was a little coffee shop inside that sold all kinds of blueberry baked goods, coffee and frozen blueberries! Yummy!! The frozen blueberries actually reminded me of my brother Eric. Whenever mom would buy blubes, she’d always freeze them, often for baking – especially for panakoek. My brother Eric would find the stash in the freezer, grab a yoghurt sized container, fill it – and eat frozen blubes until his heart’s content. His fingers and lips would all turn blue – evidence could not be hidden. The problem of the blueberry fiend is apparent until this day – he’s 25. Love you Eric.

The rest of the ride was again great. Ontario is very flat, but still beautiful. We’re still surrounded by corn and soy beans. We area also surrounded by incredible architecture. The churches around here are amazing! All along this whole journey I’ve been awed by the architecture that my naive little self thought only existed in Europe.

The sights and smells were super today.

Mom: Was thinking and praying for you all today. Wish I could be there with you – miss you so much!

Day 52/August 20 – Richmond to Chatham – 90km

Yay today we got to go to Canada! I can’t wait. First we had to bycle about 30km. When we got to Marine City a Lutheran Church had heard about us (the night before) and had a welcoming for us before we got onto the ferry into Canada. They had signs and were cheering, it was a really cool surprise.

We got to Marine City a little bit early so we headed to a coffee shop for a little while – I don’t think this place was able to fit so many sweating spandex bodies – but it did. And they had the most amazing cinnamon buns – again, so good in my mouth.

When we finally got to go over the ferry into Canada we were warmly welcomed by many fellow Canadians, baked goods, Tim Horton’s and droppies – life is good. Very, very good.

PS – this first picture is what I woke to this morning – pretty amazing.

Day 51/August 19 – Laingsburg to Richmond – 153km

So today – longer and head wind. Oh dear – those head winds. In this one picture our good friend Johnny is consoling dearest Theresa through the terrible winds. Thanx Johhny – we made it!

Tonight’s peleton was one that I will forever remember. We usually do the same old same old at peleton, its not my favy. But today a woman came and spoke to us. Her husband wanted to do the tour, but because he was a pastor for only 2 years at his church, he didn’t feel comfortable asking for the time off. He instead provided many opportunities and support for many other people going on the tour. For suddenly early this year he at 46 years old had a heart attack and passed away. Mark Vanhoff’s widow spoke to us tonight about Mark and all the support and things he had done for the tour. It was incredible. It gave me so much hope for the tour and its causes. The story also touched my heart because her husband’s sudden death is not far from experiences in my own life.

God works in amazing ways, thanks be to God for his continual care through times of trial.

Day 50/August 18 – Grand Rapids to Laingsburg – 102km

Today we biked to Sleepy Hollow state park. We had a wonderful church stop today. We got keish. So good in my mouth. And the cantaloupe pretty melted on my mouth – oh dear how am I supposed to bike now. But somehow I made it, and spent some time down by the water. Since today wasn’t as long it was nice to just lay, soakin up the sun with everyone.

Oh and PS – today we make fast – thank God for tail winds!!!

Day 49/August 17 – Sabbath in Grand Rapids

So here we are, staying on Calvin’s Campus. The morning was nice and relaxing – the celebration service wasn’t until the early afternoon. Sleeping in, doing laundry, drinking lotsa coffee and going on the interweb – all wonderful things.

The celebration service had a great speaker – Shane Claborne. He’s written a few days, and his message titled – Revolutionary Gentleness – spoke a lot about social justice and many examples he has both seen and experienced. Shane told a story about a little boy in an impoverished country that he was doing work in. That happened to be the little boy’s birthday. Shane bought this little guy an ice cream cone – the boy was very excited. Then he got all of his friends to line up and they all got to have a lick. Being an ice cream lover – that little guy is pretty generous. Shane then said “the best thing to do with the best things in life is to give it away.” I really believe that this is not money – but love