Short Notice Guests
January 8, 2009 | posted by Jon under united states, updates
Yup, since heading out on Tuesday, that’s what we’ve become. It has been both  strange and exciting to leave the circle of support that showed up to see us off in the cold rain Tuesday morning. Strange that you can so quickly leave that feeling of support and community, but exciting in that you can find it again in the most unexpected places. So far such support has come through very well for us. Tuesday night we slept in the now-retired day care center in the basement of the Scott’s household from Charlottesville, and yesterday night we slept in the Warren’s RV on a beautiful 35 acre farm near Farmville, VA. Mr. Warren actually drove 20 min or so to pick us up at the gas station (which is where we got caught in the dark) and took us back to the family farm (much thanks to Aaron Trimble for that contact). Tonight we plan to stay in the farm house of a lady I actually just met about 20 min ago here at the Clarksville Library. We’ll let you know how that goes :). All of these people have no reason to host us, no reason to completely open their homes and hearts to us, but they do, and for that we are grateful, and give thanks to God for keeping us safe and looking out for us on our journey.
Besides incredible hospitality, the ride has been mostly good. The first two days we rode into some cold rain, but we kept our heads up, and it made us appreciate the sun we had today. Additionally, I’d like to ask for your prayers for my Achille’s tendons, which are acting up again. It is a recurring problem that I had when biking across the US, and right now they are over-stressed from a newly heavy load and the rigors of bike touring. So I will try to get them some rest in the next couple of days, and then see how I’m doing. It is a hard thing to accept this early in the trip, especially when considering what all we have left to ride through, but I’m trying to stay positive and get some rest.
Well, there you have it, update one of many-with a small insight into my all too literal Achille’s heel….
P.S. Lars is doing just fine….he’s a beast 
12 Responses to “Short Notice Guests”
• On Jan 8, 2009 Carol Spicher wrote:
jon, thanks so much for the update. you have no clue how reassuring it is to hear that you nad lars are safe, and have seen some sunny weather today, and that you’re grateful for the hospitality of others. Cooper and Mike would be proud of you…making contacts with strangers in th local library! Take care of that achilles tendon! love Mom
• On Jan 8, 2009 James & Emily Akerson wrote:
Jon and Lars,
Thanks so much for the update!! You are in our prayers and we will especially pray for healing of your achilles tendon, Jon. I am thankful that you have had sunny weather today. The pictures are great!
Blessings and love,
James and Emily
• On Jan 8, 2009 Aaron wrote:
Hey guys! great seeing you here in C-ville. Glad things worked out with the Warrens–I’ve been looking for an excuse to get down there to see them, but you’ve beaten me to it! Jon, I hope your tendonitis subsides, or at least remains managable, and that you are not discouraged for the course set before you.
• On Jan 8, 2009 Lynn Bain wrote:
Thanks for the quick update on what you are up too. What a wonderful experience you are having and what wonderful people you are meeting. God is putting you in the right places at the right time.
• On Jan 8, 2009 Donna Shank wrote:
This is amazing,,,,to follow you guys on your journey. It almost feels like we’re there with you.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
May you feel God close by every mile.
May you have the peace that passes all understanding.
Blessings to you both,
Donna and Rowland
• On Jan 8, 2009 Sarah K wrote:
Hey! Just thought I’d let you know that I did MIP at church near Farmville this summer and know lots of contacts in the area in case you need more…
• On Jan 9, 2009 Geoff & Janet Groff wrote:
Jon & Lars, we will be checking in on this site frequently.It’s so good to hear details about people God is placing in your journey. Jon, how amazing to be able to “chat” on IM a bit this morning while you were at the library. I’m sure I won’t find you on-line very often but it was a nice surprise. ~ Janet
• On Jan 10, 2009 HĂ©lène wrote:
I will have a look into your website frequently, God bless you, He will take care of you
• On Jan 11, 2009 Hank Millstein wrote:
Dear Lars and Jon,
Jon, you don’t know me, and, Lars, you probably don’t remember me, because the last time I saw you you can’t have been more than 8 or 9 (just about the age my own daughter Kristen is now—but I remember you well, and of course I remember your parents Jim and Emily very well from my years at Warm Springs. I got your web address from Cynthia Stowell and I’m thrilled and inspired by your adventure. I’ll be remembering you in my prayers and checking back to see how you’re doing. Go with God’s grace—
Henry Morrison Millstein
• On Jan 12, 2009 Lynne Eggert wrote:
Lars and Jon-
Glad to read some of your early experiences. Jon, we will be praying for that Achilles tendon.
Blessings to you both.
Lynne Eggert (for David, Jacob, Rachel and Meghan too)
• On Jan 12, 2009 Paul Yoder wrote:
Here is a story to remember and for people who support you with prayer and/or simply want to follow your trek through Mexico and beyond.
My son, and his friend, who both live in Oakland, California decided a few years ago to take motorcycles, (dirt bikes), and travel for about 10 days through the Baja Peninsula and then took a ferry across to Mexico proper on their way back to southern California. There were places where the locals told them “don’t even go there…it’s too dangerous.” Or they would say, “don’t stop for anything if you go that way!”
On one occasion they stopped in a small town to make some adjustments to the cycles. Carlon laid his billfold with his passport, $1000 cash and credit cards on top of his bike and did his repairs. He forgot to retrieve the billfold when they were ready to leave. After some distance, he remembered and told his friend that he wanted to go back and see if they might possibly find it. Retracing their route and then checking where they had stopped to do repairs yielded nothing. Carlon was devastated and not sure what to do when a car pulled up. A father and his13 year old son got out and the son handed him his billfold. They had been looking for the two cyclists. None of the contents was missing. They were obviously very poor but did on not want to accept a reward. Carlon finally convinced them to take several hundred dollars, which they took reluctantly. What honesty from a 13 year old! They proved that there are people in Mexico that can be trusted. I thought this story would be an encouragement and show a positive spin on people from another culture.
Bless you guys!
• On Jan 13, 2009 Philip Shirk wrote:
mmmm….ibuprofen….