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