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 17th, 2023 - download flyer
Testimonies from 2 pastors who received motorcycles.
Thomas and Judith
Thomas and Judith
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2023 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 58 pastors/Christian leaders who received motorcycles this past March! This year was a little different for us as we discovered immediately upon arriving in Kenya, that the graduation ceremony at Africa Theological Seminary (ATS) in Kitale, Kenya was postponed and rescheduled for a date that fell after we would leave the country. The postponement was due to the sudden and tragic death of the 27 year old son of one of the past leaders of ATS who is now serving in a prominent government position in Kenya. Grief in Kenya is truly a community event - deeply felt, and openly shared. Please uphold Stephen & Roselyn Mairori and family as they grieve deeply the huge whole in their family brought about by Seth's death. Even though they have the assurance that they'll be with Seth in eternity, missing his daily physical presence here on earth is just so hard. The leadership at ATS graciously organized an opportunity for David and me to meet many of the 42 ATS motorcycle recipients who were able to make the trip to ATS at the last minute. We had been expecting "40" motorcycles to be given to ATS pastors but discovered that due to the exchange rate being so favorable, Lawrence, who owns the Honda dealership in Kitale, informed us that he was able to purchase 2 more motorcycles! We were so excited to learn that one of the recipients is from Rwanda and another from Uganda- a long way to travel to get a motorcycle!
Another 15 motorcycles are in the process of being presented to pastors in the very remote and dangerous Kerio Valley region in northern Kenya through Christian Mission Aid (CMA). The communication that I just received regarding the distribution of the first five motorcycles states that they "thanked God that we could still hold this graduation as they are still being attacked by a neighboring tribe and had to change the venue to further up the hill for security sake".
We were blessed to share lunch with Pastor James from the Tugen tribe of East Pokot. His motorcycle was presented through Africa Inland Mission (AIM). Pastor James traveled to Kitale by matatu (van taxi) to meet us and receive his new motorcycle. He stated that he was "filled with so much joy and his heart is thankful for this wonderful gift". He was so surprised to learn that not only did he get a new motorbike - but also 2 helmets, a jacket, two reflective vests, a heavy duty cable lock system, an extra side mirror(these tend to be the first thing broken!), insurance for a year and a tank of gas - I wish you all could have seen how big his eyes and smile got as he realized that all of this was a gift to him! Pastor James states that he has 5 churches that he's responsible for and up until now, has had to "foot" the entire way. He also said that his new motorbike will be a blessing to his community as people in his village have to daily walk over 2 kilometers each way for fresh water. Unfortunately, Pastor James shares a difficult life experience with us as he lost his 28-year-old son in a motorcycle accident a year ago - the common grief of a parent is an instant, deep heart bond.
Blessed and excited doesn't even begin to describe the feelings of the 58 pastors/Christian leaders who received motorcycles this past March! This year was a little different for us as we discovered immediately upon arriving in Kenya, that the graduation ceremony at Africa Theological Seminary (ATS) in Kitale, Kenya was postponed and rescheduled for a date that fell after we would leave the country. The postponement was due to the sudden and tragic death of the 27 year old son of one of the past leaders of ATS who is now serving in a prominent government position in Kenya. Grief in Kenya is truly a community event - deeply felt, and openly shared. Please uphold Stephen & Roselyn Mairori and family as they grieve deeply the huge whole in their family brought about by Seth's death. Even though they have the assurance that they'll be with Seth in eternity, missing his daily physical presence here on earth is just so hard. The leadership at ATS graciously organized an opportunity for David and me to meet many of the 42 ATS motorcycle recipients who were able to make the trip to ATS at the last minute. We had been expecting "40" motorcycles to be given to ATS pastors but discovered that due to the exchange rate being so favorable, Lawrence, who owns the Honda dealership in Kitale, informed us that he was able to purchase 2 more motorcycles! We were so excited to learn that one of the recipients is from Rwanda and another from Uganda- a long way to travel to get a motorcycle!
Another 15 motorcycles are in the process of being presented to pastors in the very remote and dangerous Kerio Valley region in northern Kenya through Christian Mission Aid (CMA). The communication that I just received regarding the distribution of the first five motorcycles states that they "thanked God that we could still hold this graduation as they are still being attacked by a neighboring tribe and had to change the venue to further up the hill for security sake".
We were blessed to share lunch with Pastor James from the Tugen tribe of East Pokot. His motorcycle was presented through Africa Inland Mission (AIM). Pastor James traveled to Kitale by matatu (van taxi) to meet us and receive his new motorcycle. He stated that he was "filled with so much joy and his heart is thankful for this wonderful gift". He was so surprised to learn that not only did he get a new motorbike - but also 2 helmets, a jacket, two reflective vests, a heavy duty cable lock system, an extra side mirror(these tend to be the first thing broken!), insurance for a year and a tank of gas - I wish you all could have seen how big his eyes and smile got as he realized that all of this was a gift to him! Pastor James states that he has 5 churches that he's responsible for and up until now, has had to "foot" the entire way. He also said that his new motorbike will be a blessing to his community as people in his village have to daily walk over 2 kilometers each way for fresh water. Unfortunately, Pastor James shares a difficult life experience with us as he lost his 28-year-old son in a motorcycle accident a year ago - the common grief of a parent is an instant, deep heart bond.
We also met with Christine Kegode who received a motorcycle in 2022. Christine says that her motorcycle is a true blessing to her ministry, "Journey to Freedom," in which she "counsels' small groups to help people come out of life's addictions and past hurts. By hearing each other's stories, people are realizing the addictions that have made them stagnate in service to God and others. Some are healing from deep wounds emanated from conflicts within and without." Her ministry covers three counties in her region which is "untarmaked, stony and hilly in the interior and thus makes motorbike transportation perfect. It further helps reach the most interior parts which contribute to more souls healing and restoring peace in the region." Christine lives with her daughter and two granddaughters - the youngest has a "leg disability" which caused her son-in-law to leave the family. Christine is grateful that she's able to help her daughter during this hard time.
While the hole in our lives caused by Jon's death is 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 2023 Jon "Just Get ER Done" Memorial Motorcycle Ride which will take place on Sunday, September 17th, 2023. The ride will depart from McKnight Park located at 110400 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318. Registration begins at 12 noon. 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 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!!
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Over 18 years, over $634,159 has been raised allowing for 474+ motorcycles to be purchased for pastors in Africa!!
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