Noreen, MCCA Board member, and her very sweet 5 week old grandson. Youngest Relief Sale visitor!

Henry is either meditating or snoozing...not sure which.

Ernie Engbrecht, Phil Klassen and Abe Janzen, working through details of the Relief Sale auction.

John signing tshirts...great celebrity face!

Some MCCA staff and Cindy

Orlando Vasquez, (MCCA Program Director and Refugee Sponsorship Program supervisor), flashing the Take Your Place cd at the Relief Sale!

Auctioning off the Oringa that Joseph gave to me

The first auction item was a beaded meeting stick, or Oringa, that Joseph gave to me at the end of his year in Alberta. I spoke with Joseph on Thursday to get more details on what kind of symbolism the Oringa has among the Massai. He told me that the Oringa is a stick that has been beaded from the bottom to the top, with colourful glass beads, and is used in community gatherings and celebrations as a symbol of peace. The Oringa is never to be used in a meeting where conflict or violence may occur. If the Oringa is used for violence, then the glass beads will break. And when violence happens in a community, then the community begins to break. The chief holds the Oringa and greets and addresses the crowd, and the Oringa is a respected symbol of peace. The Oringa fetched $900 in the auction!

Cindy laughing after Abe cracked a joke about the Cindy Klassen quarter, with the Queen on one side, and Cindy on the other.

Cindy signing John's bike-a-thon tshirt.

Cindy and a young fan!

Some photos from the bike-a-thon and Relief Sale

Three generations of riders from the Schellenberg family, and Cindy...honourary Schellenberg!

Adam, Cindy and John

1451 kms were cycled by John and Adam, 90 of those with Cindy Klassen and about 60 others. A total of $181,000 raised for Cycle South for AIDS, and an additional $20, 130 raised through the bike-a-thon...grand total of $201,130 for MCC's Generations Program! What an amazing thing to be a part of and to celebrate!

Cycle South for AIDS, Cindy Klassen and the Coaldale Relief Sale

The perfect storm! After yesterday's stormy ride from Nanton to Lethbridge in up to 70 plus km winds and rain, today's ride from Lethbridge to Coaldale (11 km), and the following bike-a-thon routes of 10 km, 45 km, and 90 km, was a breeze! Add to that an Olympic gold medalist by the name of Cindy Klassen, an incredible Relief Sale with amazing auction items, food, and people, and today was the perfect storm! Cindy arrived in Coaldale around 11:00 am, to the delight of volunteers, MCCA staff, media and onlookers. Shaw TV, Global TV, and the Lethbridge Herald were all there, and interviewed Adam, John and Cindy. And then the pictures began with Cindy...over and over and over...and she is such a kind and gracious person and obliged anyone that approached her. She brought so much energy and excitement to the bike-a-thon and the sale. There were 62 riders today, and a total of $20,103 was raised! Add this to the $181,000 for Cycle South, and we are now at $201,130 for the Generations Program! Amazing!

So, this part of the journey comes to a close. It's kind of sad in a way. It has been a lot of fun being a part of the support driving team for Adam and John. Watching their determination riding through terrible head winds, rain, hills...up and down, and down and up...has been nothing short of inspiring. Their efforts have raised the profile of the crisis of AIDS, and MCC's work with partners worldwide. We are all so proud of them. It has been a privilege to be a part of this.

A heads up...there is talk that Cycle South for AIDS will be repeated next year, only it may become Cycle East for AIDS, from Alberta to Manitoba...and if we can work it around Cindy Klassen's schedule, then she will be joining the riders! Stay tuned! And thank you to everyone for reading the blog, for supporting Cycle South with good wishes, prayers, and donations. The money raised will make a huge difference in the lives of so many affected by AIDS. Our hope and prayer is that we will all take our place and do what we can, where we can, with what we have.

Kim

Day 10 pics

Menno Simons Christian School and MCCA Cycle South for AIDS

Day 10 was awesome! John, Adam, Abe and I (along with Iliana Friesen, Pholani Dlamini, Hun Ryu and Michael Harms...MCCA staff and IVEPers), met at Menno Simons school at 8:30 this morning. There was a 45 minute chapel with the junior high students and staff, focused entirely on MCC's work with HIV/AIDS, and the Cycle South for AIDS with John and Adam. Abe interviewed John and Adam, and Pholani (IVEPer at MCCA) for the students. We watched a really powerful 30 minute documentary called "Living With Slim," which focuses on 7 children/youth from different countries in Africa, who are all HIV+. Very compelling movie, and it gave the kids and staff a real sense of the urgency of raising awareness and money for HIV/AIDS. After the chapel we posed for some shots with the whole group, donned our helmets and set off on a 40 km ride on beautiful Calgary bike trails. A few delays along the way...rain, a minor bike accident, and a flat tire for Adam (first one in over 1000 kms)...thanks Anne and Iliana for saving the day!! We ended at Fish Creek Park in south Calgary, enjoyed a hot dog roast together, and then John and Adam continued on for an additional 76 kms, ending in Nanton, AB.

Tomorrow is a well deserved rest day for John and Adam. Both are very happy to NOT ride their bikes tomorrow. Thursday morning we drive out to Nanton, and then they hit the road one last time for Coaldale, about 135 kms.

The goal of raising $170,000 for MCC's Generations Program has been surpassed and is now over $176,000 and counting. A big, big shout out to Kennedy Krahn, a student at Menno Simons, who has been raising money and awareness for the Generations Program for the past few years! Today she presented us with yet another great donation...her savings from her piggy bank...$40.38...thank you Kennedy!!! Every single donation counts and makes a difference in people's lives around the world!

Kim

The Water Valley Hitching Post News

Hi all,

A good day behind the wheel and on the bike. John and Adam rode hard, lots and lots of hills, but good humour, Mars Bars, Winegums and other treats saved the day! My neice, Heather Schellenberg, and I, spent the day in the van supporting. Adam and John began their ride just north of Water Valley today. They were met at the General Store in Water Valley by a reporter from the Hitching Post News, who interviewed them and took some great photos...thankyou! And then on to Menno Simons Christian School in Calgary, where they were greeted by Menno students, and encouraged by the 1097 kms ridden so far! Only 2 more riding days until they reach Coaldale, and then a 90 km ride with Cindy Klassen and 40 or so others on Friday, and Cycle South for AIDS will be complete. To date, $175,000 plus has been raised through Cycle South for AIDS for MCC's Generations Program. Amazing. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this very worthy cause!!

I will download pictures from today tomorrow...does that make sense??

Kim

Back in the drivers seat

Adam and John reached Cremona today, with a few other riders...Jeff, Ingrid and Eli Janssen Schellenberg, Byron Thiessen, and Michael Harms. It was a shorter and slower day for them...only 84 kms as opposed to the crazy 161 kms they have done in past days. Rod Reynar and Michael Harms also handed in their keys to the support driving van, and tomorrow I am back in the drivers seat, following behind, supporting as best I can. I'm looking forward to it. Their morning faces and grunts and groans, their kind of happier faces as we pass them treats on the way, their almost ok faces at lunch, and their beaming and happy faces at the end of a long biking day. We are so proud of their determination and commitment. Only 3 more biking days until the bike-a-thon in Coaldale with Cindy Klassen, Olympic gold medalist! Should be fun!

Tomorrow Adam and John ride from Cremona to Menno Simons Christian School in southwest Calgary. They hope to arrive there just prior to the end of the school day, to greet students and get them excited for Tuesday. On Tuesday morning, some MCCA staff, Adam and John, will be participating in a chapel at Menno, talking about Cycle South, and watching a 30 minute video called "Living with Slim". It is a documentary that highlights the lives of seven children/youth in Africa who are all HIV+. It is a gripping documentary, and will hopefully give the students an idea of why this Cycle South initiative is so important. And then after chapel, we don our helmets (yes, I'm riding too...and I'm pretty sure I will collapse half way through) and off we go on a 40km ride through Calgary, on a bike path that follows the river most of the way, and ends at Lake Sikome with a weiner roast. After that, Adam and John will continue on their way for another few hours until they reach Claresholm.

All for now.

A few more day 5 pics

Day 5...It's the end of the road for me and Anne

Hi all. Day 5 and some really big hills, or valleys, whichever. Adam and John are working hard today, slogging it up hill after hill as semis and campers and cars scream past them and us. Their determination is pretty astounding, and as their aunt (yes, I'm their aunt), I am so deeply proud of what they are doing for the Generations program, raising awareness and funds for people like Joseph, who work on the ground, caring for people so deeply impacted by AIDS. Pretty phenomenal.

Sadly, today Anne and I pass the torch (keys) to two new support drivers, Rod Reynar and Michael Harms. They will carry on with John and Adam providing good support, snacks, gatorade, and anything else they might need. We really are quite sad to be going home and leaving them. They are inspirational to be around, and a lot of fun too. Thanks John and Adam for Taking Your Place!!

Here are a few pics from day 5....plus a special shout out to John and Adam's sister, Kaelin, and my niece, who turned 25 five today. Happy Birthday, Kaelin! Thanks also to the Pomeroy Inn in Valleyview...a very generous free two night stay!

Rocky and the Muskeg Farmer Crew

Hi again everyone. For some reason Anne and I had a bit more energy this evening than John and Adam, so after supper we took a drive through Valleyview and came across a mini Calgary Stampede midway with rides and games and popcorn, etc. Lots of folks having fun, lots of screaming, laughing and yelling. As Anne and I walked around we saw a man sitting on a bench watching the fun and having a smoke. He had such a great face, we couldn't resist saying hi to him and visiting for a bit. He told us his name is Rocky. He's from Sturgeon Lake and has been working as a fire fighter since he was 15 years old. He talked about how forest fires work, how they create their own wind and turn on you when you least expect it. He was fascinating. And a kind and gentle soul. He is the head crew member of the Muskeg Farmer Crew. In the end he let us take a few pictures with him, and with another crew member, Ian. Turned into a very rich evening. Thanks Rocky and Ian.

Wind Breaks

Here are a few pics from the start of day 4, mid day, and the days km total.

Today has been a bit tougher than the last three. This morning the first half hour of the ride was almost as tough as the full day ride yesterday, according to John. The wind was blowing from the south east, and slowing them down. Anne suggested they ride side by side, and switch regularly, so as to break wind for each other. There was a pause, and then a lot of laughter. I told them that would be better than riding one in front of the other and breaking wind for each other.

As support drivers we are finally figuring out that it's not actually helpful for us to roll up beside the cyclist to hand them water or snacks and make them slow down to 15 km while doing it. It's much more helpful to do it at the same speed they are riding. Who knew.

The Mighty Peace River Hill

Post by Anne: Wow! Quite the marathon undertaking today! Adam & John made it to the top of the mammoth Peace River hill with seemingly little effort. The managed the very steep 5 km incline in only 17 minutes! According to John, I guess this was a valley, not a hill. He says a valley goes down, then up, and a hill goes up, then down! Go figure! And then they just kept going, and going; stopping in Nampa only very briefly. We are now continuing on to Donnelly Corner, and who knows, maybe farther...the guys seem to have an unending supply of energy.

Kim has taken some fabulous photos of the very scenic Peace River valley. We'll have to make sure those pics are available to everyone. I guess we can only load so many on this site, but to do justice to this trek, you will need to see her whole photo album.

An interview with the Peace River Record Gazette

Erin, from the Peace River Record Gazette, interviewed John and Adam and took some pictures of them. We met her on the north end of Peace River in the IGA parking lot. She asked some great questions, made lots of notes, took down info for the website, blogs, and donation information. Very cool. Adam and John did a great job, and look mighty spiffy in the shots! Thanks Peace River!

Jen, your mother did not listen to you

Ninja's at Deadwood

A few more pics from day 2

Close call. Just made it to Manning in time! Anne got a bit confused about distance on day 2. Alas, it's so hard to find good support drivers now a-days.

The cycle of a lifetime for the lifetime of others

We have had so much support from so many people. Joanna Hiebert Bergen, Binational Generations Program Coordinator, has been so helpful in encouraging us, giving us information about MCC partners working with HIV/AIDS, and giving us energy and inspiration to keep going. Today she sent us a note that said, "Wishing you well on this cycle of a lifetime for the lifetime of others." Such a great line. John and Adam are indeed on the cycle of a lifetime for the lifetime of others.

We received a note from Joseph last week that told us that Susan, a client of the Najile POMC AIDS program, died. We met Susan in October and listened as she shared her story. She had lived with AIDS for ten years. She was one of the first clients at the POMC program. Joseph told us that surviving AIDS for ten years was a good, long time. In Canada, AIDS is considered a chronic condition, treated with the latest medications. People can live long and productive lives. In developing countries, the life expectancy of people living with AIDS is ten years, depending on their access to ARV's, nutritious food, clean water, and support. The hope, says Joseph, is to keep people alive long enough so that their children can take care of themselves. Sad reality. And reason to keep going.

Hills go down and up and up and down...who knew

Day two of Cycle South for AIDS...Today's km goal was 136. John and Adam rode 160! We are in Peace River for night rather than Manning because of the crazy pace these two are keeping! Not easy riding, lots of hills...and hills, as John knows, go both down and up. Anne warned them the ride today would be tough with the hills. John said, "Like, down and up hills?" We were not aware that there are any other kind of hills. Interesting. His comment made me and Anne laugh the whole day. John, not so much. Tomorrow is "pick on Adam" day.

All the hotels that we are staying in from LaCrete to Lethbridge are sponsoring Cycle South and have given us rooms at no cost. Very generous. And the van we are renting from Enterprise has been given to us at 50% off for two weeks. Wonderful!

Jazz Hands John

Getting a jump-start on day 2 of Cycle South for AIDS

Donation on the Tompkins Landing Ferry

As we crossed the Peace River yesterday, one of the staff on the ferry handed Anne a business card, pen and $40. A couple named Tina and Herman Wiebe had driven past Adam and John and saw the Cycle South for AIDS van, and when they reached the ferry, they asked the staff to hand this donation to us when we arrived. Pretty amazing! Thanks, Tina and Herman!

LaCrete Commissioning service, and the cutest cyclist around

This morning we attended the LaCrete Christian Fellowship service, where Peter Fehr led a commissioning service for John and Adam, and I sang a few songs and talked about the Generations Program. What a very warm and affirming congregation! We were welcomed so warmly and affirmed in our efforts and blessed by so many people. After the service we were invited for lunch to Jen and Kevin Janzen's...a feast...and then John and Adam were off! They cycled to just south of Paddle Prairie!

Friday afternoon Abe, Darryl and I drove north from Calgary to Edson (about 4.5 hours) for a concert at the Red Brick Arts Centre...a really lovely and intimate theatre. We had a great time with the folks in Edson! Thanks Glen and others for all of your work, and thanks to everyone for buying cds and making donations!

After the concert we drove an hour north to Whitecourt where we spent the night. Bright and early on Saturday morning we hit the road for LaCrete...about a 5 hour drive. We arrived at about 2:00 and went to the LaCrete Heritage Centre where we sang to about 150 people, visited, told stories, and listened to a very compelling presentation on MCC's work in Haiti, post-earthquake. Paul Driedger travelled to Haiti with an MCC medical team and talked about his experiences there. Thank you Jake, Eva, David, Sharon, Paul, and I'm sure many others, for organizing the afternoon event!

heading north this weekend

Concerts in Edson, just west of Edmonton, and then La Crete, way north the next day, then back down to Calgary the following day. There's quite a community of MCC supporters up in La Crete... so, we drive.

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