“Canadians Rock!” is what Stan heard from one of his American tour friends. On Tuesday we had a huge party here at Hope Fellowship. Joan, Alice, Stan and Bernice were excited to welcome all their Sea to Sea Cycling to End Poverty tour mates to their “home”. Five kilometres out the cyclists knew that there was something good coming—Yolanda, Megan and Brenda prepared signs to let them know they were coming close. A crowd gathered – so many people got up early in the morning to cheer and encourage, including Hope Fellowship people, friends and family, and people from area churches and every time we spotted a cyclist or two a cow bell rang out loud and clear, calling us back from conversations and hugs to clap and cheer and welcome them in. There was coffee, lemonade and water to refresh the cyclists and greeters, Tim Bits, fruit and a candy bar—much appreciated by the cyclists and the children who came to cheer them on. Much of the fruit and candy was donated by the people of Hope Fellowship—it was an encouragement to the cyclists. The Oshawa Cycling Club also showed their support with the loan of water coolers and signs.
Pastor Peter and Marja came back from holidays to be on hand to greet many friends and help set up on Tuesday morning, along with Lilian, June and Hilary. We were here at 6 am, making coffee, setting out tables and making sure that everything was in place before we spotted the first cyclist coming down the road—and that first cyclist turned out to be Joan. She was greeted with a huge hug from her grandson Haydon. She cried (of course!).
We celebrated with Jef & Alice, who marked their 25th anniversary on Tuesday, and mourned with Alice the loss of her mother’s husband, whose funeral was held last Saturday. We even cheered for Ingrid, who cycled in from Bowmanville to join the tour for the day. She also plans to cycle from Montreal to New York.
Job came with his Reflectors Devotion book and gathered signatures from the cyclists. He also dispensed hugs freely, warming hearts and lighting faces.
As “our” cyclists prepared to leave we gathered in a circle to pray. Joan cried (of course) and thanked everyone for the wonderful reception. We prayed and then gathered at the road one more time to cheer and clap and shout encouragement. The cyclists only have one week left to cycle. Please continue to pray daily for them (because Pastor Peter promised you would).
As they cycled away a crew of people set to work cleaning up tables, chairs, and leftovers. Truly a family in action!
- Evelyn
Pastor Peter and Marja came back from holidays to be on hand to greet many friends and help set up on Tuesday morning, along with Lilian, June and Hilary. We were here at 6 am, making coffee, setting out tables and making sure that everything was in place before we spotted the first cyclist coming down the road—and that first cyclist turned out to be Joan. She was greeted with a huge hug from her grandson Haydon. She cried (of course!).
We celebrated with Jef & Alice, who marked their 25th anniversary on Tuesday, and mourned with Alice the loss of her mother’s husband, whose funeral was held last Saturday. We even cheered for Ingrid, who cycled in from Bowmanville to join the tour for the day. She also plans to cycle from Montreal to New York.
Job came with his Reflectors Devotion book and gathered signatures from the cyclists. He also dispensed hugs freely, warming hearts and lighting faces.
As “our” cyclists prepared to leave we gathered in a circle to pray. Joan cried (of course) and thanked everyone for the wonderful reception. We prayed and then gathered at the road one more time to cheer and clap and shout encouragement. The cyclists only have one week left to cycle. Please continue to pray daily for them (because Pastor Peter promised you would).
As they cycled away a crew of people set to work cleaning up tables, chairs, and leftovers. Truly a family in action!
- Evelyn
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