THE CAUSE:
All funds raised will be used toward the purchase of motorcycles/dirt bikes to enable indigenous Christian leaders to reach their own people with the love and message of Jesus. Transportation is a strategic tool for world evangelism. Most indigenous pastors working in jungles, mountain villages, and distant towns are limited to walking. A motorcycle/dirt bike will help an indigenous pastor expand their outreach "unto the uttermost parts of the earth". (Acts 1:8)
THE GOAL:
Provide motorcycles to indigenous pastors-cost is between $1,500-$3,000 per bike.
THE NEXT RIDE:
Sunday September 15th at McKnight Park in Chaska! Flyer
Testimonies from 2 pastors who received motorcycles.
Thomas and Judith
Thomas and Judith
|
|
Kenya 2024 Motorcycle Presentation
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet (or wheels) of the messenger bringing good news. Who brings the news of peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, telling Zion "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7
Blessed and excited doesn't even begin to describe the feelings of the 77 Pastors/Christian Leaders who received motorcycles this past March! These motorcycles were purchased with very generous donations to the 2023 Jon "Just Get ER Done" Memorial Motorcycle Ride totaling over $91,700! There were 52 motorcycles given to graduates/alumni of Africa Theological Seminary in Kitale, Kenya. Another 5 motorcycles were given for the first time to Africa Theological Seminary pastors in Uganda. These Ugandan pastors traveled to Kitale, Kenya to receive their motorcycles in order to simplify the process of a border crossing -a truck crossing the border into Uganda with 5 new motorcycles in the back would be certain to raise questions and then need to pay "duty tax". In addition to their new motorcycle, each recipient received two helmets, two safety vests, a safety rain jacket, a heavy-duty cable lock system, insurance for a year and a tank of gas. They're fully equipped to "hit the road" for Jesus! We are so grateful for Lawrence WaNdichu and his Honda dealership in Kitale, Kenya for coordinating the purchase and distribution of all 77 of the motorcycles given to pastors this year and over the past 10 years. His integrity and attention to detail are a blessing to us!
The final 20 motorcycles were presented to pastors through Christian Mission Aid (CMA). These pastors minister in very remote north/north -western regions of Kenya where life is hard and filled with frequent tribal conflict. We were so grateful to the leadership of CMA for planning a weeklong Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Kitale for the same time that we would be there. That allowed us an opportunity to meet the motorcycle recipients for this year and hear from past recipients. The conference was attended by pastors from the Pokot and Marakwat tribes who have a long-standing history of conflict - often involving spears in the past and now guns. The Peace and Reconciliation Training was a very important time for the two groups, not just for knowledge and skills but for building relationships with each other. The West Pokot group of pastors have already gone to their local Government offices to present the Peace Accord Agreement they made with the Marakwet, and to let them know that they are going to be Peace Advocates in their communities and want the Government's support. They are planning to also go to the Governor and Commissioner with the same document of the agreement. We are so impressed with the courage and enthusiasm of these pastors in initiating these plans and taking action already. Please keep them in your prayers as the initiatives they are proposing challenge long standing traditions of their communities and could meet with strong resistance. Previous recipients shared that when medical emergencies arose, they used their motorcycles to bring community members across rugged landscape to medical care. Pastors used their motorcycles to expand their ministries to previously unreached areas. These motorcycles also strengthened their marriages and family life as it allowed for more efficiency in their ministries. One pastor shared that he used his motorbike to "rescue girls". He stated that in his tribal culture, there are still those who believe in child marriage and female genital mutilation. When girls discover that this is planned for their future, they come to this pastor asking to be "rescued" and are taken to a safe house. Please pray for the courage and safety of this pastor who is also going against the "norm" of his culture. Your generous, often sacrificial, donations are truly making an eternal difference in tribes and families in Africa.
Pastor Gideon Loseet was presented with his new motorbike this past March. He has established a thriving ministry in the remote interior of Maasailand. His ministry now serves over 200 members. Pastor Loseet tirelessly dedicates himself to serving the spiritual needs of his community. This transformative gift of a motorbike will revolutionize his ability to serve. With this newfound mobility, he can traverse the remote areas of his community more efficiently, reaching even those who were previously inaccessible. As Pastor Loseet shared with humility and gratitude, "This motorbike is a true blessing, allowing me to extend the reach of my ministry and bring hope to even the most isolated corners of our community."
Blessed and excited doesn't even begin to describe the feelings of the 77 Pastors/Christian Leaders who received motorcycles this past March! These motorcycles were purchased with very generous donations to the 2023 Jon "Just Get ER Done" Memorial Motorcycle Ride totaling over $91,700! There were 52 motorcycles given to graduates/alumni of Africa Theological Seminary in Kitale, Kenya. Another 5 motorcycles were given for the first time to Africa Theological Seminary pastors in Uganda. These Ugandan pastors traveled to Kitale, Kenya to receive their motorcycles in order to simplify the process of a border crossing -a truck crossing the border into Uganda with 5 new motorcycles in the back would be certain to raise questions and then need to pay "duty tax". In addition to their new motorcycle, each recipient received two helmets, two safety vests, a safety rain jacket, a heavy-duty cable lock system, insurance for a year and a tank of gas. They're fully equipped to "hit the road" for Jesus! We are so grateful for Lawrence WaNdichu and his Honda dealership in Kitale, Kenya for coordinating the purchase and distribution of all 77 of the motorcycles given to pastors this year and over the past 10 years. His integrity and attention to detail are a blessing to us!
The final 20 motorcycles were presented to pastors through Christian Mission Aid (CMA). These pastors minister in very remote north/north -western regions of Kenya where life is hard and filled with frequent tribal conflict. We were so grateful to the leadership of CMA for planning a weeklong Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Kitale for the same time that we would be there. That allowed us an opportunity to meet the motorcycle recipients for this year and hear from past recipients. The conference was attended by pastors from the Pokot and Marakwat tribes who have a long-standing history of conflict - often involving spears in the past and now guns. The Peace and Reconciliation Training was a very important time for the two groups, not just for knowledge and skills but for building relationships with each other. The West Pokot group of pastors have already gone to their local Government offices to present the Peace Accord Agreement they made with the Marakwet, and to let them know that they are going to be Peace Advocates in their communities and want the Government's support. They are planning to also go to the Governor and Commissioner with the same document of the agreement. We are so impressed with the courage and enthusiasm of these pastors in initiating these plans and taking action already. Please keep them in your prayers as the initiatives they are proposing challenge long standing traditions of their communities and could meet with strong resistance. Previous recipients shared that when medical emergencies arose, they used their motorcycles to bring community members across rugged landscape to medical care. Pastors used their motorcycles to expand their ministries to previously unreached areas. These motorcycles also strengthened their marriages and family life as it allowed for more efficiency in their ministries. One pastor shared that he used his motorbike to "rescue girls". He stated that in his tribal culture, there are still those who believe in child marriage and female genital mutilation. When girls discover that this is planned for their future, they come to this pastor asking to be "rescued" and are taken to a safe house. Please pray for the courage and safety of this pastor who is also going against the "norm" of his culture. Your generous, often sacrificial, donations are truly making an eternal difference in tribes and families in Africa.
Pastor Gideon Loseet was presented with his new motorbike this past March. He has established a thriving ministry in the remote interior of Maasailand. His ministry now serves over 200 members. Pastor Loseet tirelessly dedicates himself to serving the spiritual needs of his community. This transformative gift of a motorbike will revolutionize his ability to serve. With this newfound mobility, he can traverse the remote areas of his community more efficiently, reaching even those who were previously inaccessible. As Pastor Loseet shared with humility and gratitude, "This motorbike is a true blessing, allowing me to extend the reach of my ministry and bring hope to even the most isolated corners of our community."
We received a "thank you" sent with "great honor and happiness" from the women of Kabokwo PCM church. They were grateful for the motorcycle given to their pastor Sikoria Jackson this past March. "This has boosted the ministry so well that we can not keep silent but to extend our gratitude and say a big thank you. (in their local language, "keitapon") May our good Lord bless you abundantly."
While the hole in our lives caused by Jon's death is still huge, God is using these motorcycles to soften the edges of that hole. He has redeemed our grief by turning it into an "eternal blessing" for many pastors in Africa as they share the Good News of Jesus with their communities. We're so grateful that Jon's legacy continues to be written in this way.......
Plans are underway for the 20th Annual Jon "Just Get ER Done" Memorial Motorcycle Ride which will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024. The ride will depart from McKnight Park located at 110400 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318. Registration begins at 12noon. In place of a standard registration fee, "free-will" donations will be taken. The 100-mile ride will depart from the park at 1pm, returning to the park at approximately 4pm for a short ministry update followed by a picnic dinner. We hope that you will join us for the ride and/or the dinner as we celebrate Jon's life while raising funds for a cause that reflects two of the passions of Jon's heart - motorcycles and Jesus!
While the hole in our lives caused by Jon's death is still huge, God is using these motorcycles to soften the edges of that hole. He has redeemed our grief by turning it into an "eternal blessing" for many pastors in Africa as they share the Good News of Jesus with their communities. We're so grateful that Jon's legacy continues to be written in this way.......
Plans are underway for the 20th Annual Jon "Just Get ER Done" Memorial Motorcycle Ride which will take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024. The ride will depart from McKnight Park located at 110400 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318. Registration begins at 12noon. In place of a standard registration fee, "free-will" donations will be taken. The 100-mile ride will depart from the park at 1pm, returning to the park at approximately 4pm for a short ministry update followed by a picnic dinner. We hope that you will join us for the ride and/or the dinner as we celebrate Jon's life while raising funds for a cause that reflects two of the passions of Jon's heart - motorcycles and Jesus!