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By Narayan Mitra
WHEN Henry Devries pitched the idea of a four-week bike
ride in summer before his congregation, he received an enthusiastic
clearance and time off.
A pastor for 18 years at Sahali Fellowship, a Christian
Reformed Church (CRC) congregation in Kamloops, Devries had never imagined
doing such a thing.
 | Henry Devries takes a break during the Sea to Sea ride. |
At 55, and apprehensive of what he was getting into
– but motivated by his denomination’s challenge to do something
to help end the cycle of world poverty – Devries joined 144 other
cyclists.
They began by dipping the front tires of their bikes in
Pacific Ocean waters, and setting off from Seattle June 30. The bikers were
to end the tour by dipping their rear tires in the Atlantic. Devries and a
few others pledged to ride as far as Denver, Colorado and return.
“The purpose of the Sea to Sea ride was to
celebrate 150 years of CRC’s work in North America by focusing on
world poverty,” Devries said. “A goal of $1.1 million has now
brought in double that amount with more funds trickling in.”
A similar program in 2006, when CRC in Canada turned
100, saw riders doing the coast-to-coast Canadian route.
“I was not the oldest, or in worst shape, in the
team. Nevertheless it was very gruelling, tiring and emotionally
disturbing. It was also a great time to listen to God and pray a
lot,” Devries confessed.
With daily starts at 7 am, the cyclists were on their
seats usually for eight hours and pulled in to camp sites about 5 pm. After
a tenthouse supper and a time to recount what God has called them to do to
alleviate poverty, it was time to turn in for the day.
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Other than craving a seat wider than four inches, the
riders basked in the vastness of God’s creation.
The majesty of the mountains, and thoughts of raising
funds to ease poverty and hunger, were helpful ways to while away the
boredom of 140- to160-kilometre days.
After four weeks of hot, dry riding, ending in Denver
on July 28, Devries and 14 others quit as scheduled. Fifteen new volunteers
replaced them, and arrived at the finish line in the Atlantic waters of New
Jersey on August 22. In all, 11 from B.C. participated.
“In spite of the aches and pains, which took
almost three weeks to heal, it was worth it all – in its focus and
purpose,” Devries reflected.
“Seven major mountain passes – the highest
at 11,300 feet – took its toll on us. But to see the Creator’s
incredible handiwork from the Pacific to the Atlantic, during our 2,600
kilometre journey, was every whit the reward.”
Further details about the expedition are available at:
www.seatosea.org.
October 2008
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