I apologise for the slow down in posts on this blog – especially to all of you who have been relying on the updates – life on the road has been quite busy, and we have not stopped too many times and when we have – sleep is ultra important. Telstra also has a lot to answer for – why cant we have reliable coverage across our country – its not that big…!
This attempt to run (or ride) this race for the purpose of helping orphans in Africa – a Kingdom cause – has been constantly under attack – and sometime between Wednesday and Thursday there was a break in this, and Damian started to make up some ground on what was lost into the head winds of the first 6 days. He rode for 22 hours on Friday beginning at 8.30am (after only about 5 hours sleep) this finished at 6.53am on Saturday morning in Port Augusta. After being
welcomed by Debbie, Ashlea, Joel and Hayley and also Kathy and Loren and Ray and Julianne de Boer with Brendan and Josie, the team went down for a sleep – this ended up being only about 3 hours before Damian woke up and was ready to go. We left Port Augusta at 12.40pm with strong winds somewhat behind him, and he was really moving – our good friend Francis d’Mello rode out with Damian – what an awesome moment – this guy drove all the way here just to ride what ended up being only about an hour but he did it to support Damian and the cause.
Some really strong riding saw Damian really pumping with the tail winds on towards Murray Bridge – there was an awesome effort by Ray de Boer on the bike in support of Damian and this also helped out the weary team. We got to Murray Bridge after crossing the Adelaide hills and Damian was motivated and strong – but the lack of sleep was starting to tell. He was really battling and to see this man doing it so tough – trying so badly to make up for those days of head winds was truly inspiring. We made it to Tailem Bend but soon after Damian simply had to stop to sleep – this was only for an hour and a half, and he was off again.
On a personal note – these 8 days I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions which have been predominantly around the manner in which this one guy – my friend and brother – has gone about this challenge. He has focussed on the cause constantly and not the goal of a record, he has challenged our team to put aside personal goals for the sake of the unified goal of finishing the race to raise funds for the orphans. He has responded to every human obstacle with what I can only describe as divine intervention. I am so glad that I had the honour to serve Damian and the team in the role that I had, I didn’t ride a bike, but that’s not what God has put in my hands. If one life is saved and given a chance to realise the potential that was intended for him or her, then it has all been worthwhile.
As I post this while driving behind him – he has just raised his fist and pumped the air as he saw a road sign which showed Melbourne on it for the first time with 589 km to go – PRAISE GOD – We are coming home. It may not be until the early hours on Monday morning – but who knows – this will STILL be a record!!!
This attempt to run (or ride) this race for the purpose of helping orphans in Africa – a Kingdom cause – has been constantly under attack – and sometime between Wednesday and Thursday there was a break in this, and Damian started to make up some ground on what was lost into the head winds of the first 6 days. He rode for 22 hours on Friday beginning at 8.30am (after only about 5 hours sleep) this finished at 6.53am on Saturday morning in Port Augusta. After being
welcomed by Debbie, Ashlea, Joel and Hayley and also Kathy and Loren and Ray and Julianne de Boer with Brendan and Josie, the team went down for a sleep – this ended up being only about 3 hours before Damian woke up and was ready to go. We left Port Augusta at 12.40pm with strong winds somewhat behind him, and he was really moving – our good friend Francis d’Mello rode out with Damian – what an awesome moment – this guy drove all the way here just to ride what ended up being only about an hour but he did it to support Damian and the cause.Some really strong riding saw Damian really pumping with the tail winds on towards Murray Bridge – there was an awesome effort by Ray de Boer on the bike in support of Damian and this also helped out the weary team. We got to Murray Bridge after crossing the Adelaide hills and Damian was motivated and strong – but the lack of sleep was starting to tell. He was really battling and to see this man doing it so tough – trying so badly to make up for those days of head winds was truly inspiring. We made it to Tailem Bend but soon after Damian simply had to stop to sleep – this was only for an hour and a half, and he was off again.
On a personal note – these 8 days I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions which have been predominantly around the manner in which this one guy – my friend and brother – has gone about this challenge. He has focussed on the cause constantly and not the goal of a record, he has challenged our team to put aside personal goals for the sake of the unified goal of finishing the race to raise funds for the orphans. He has responded to every human obstacle with what I can only describe as divine intervention. I am so glad that I had the honour to serve Damian and the team in the role that I had, I didn’t ride a bike, but that’s not what God has put in my hands. If one life is saved and given a chance to realise the potential that was intended for him or her, then it has all been worthwhile.
As I post this while driving behind him – he has just raised his fist and pumped the air as he saw a road sign which showed Melbourne on it for the first time with 589 km to go – PRAISE GOD – We are coming home. It may not be until the early hours on Monday morning – but who knows – this will STILL be a record!!!
