As the May 15^th signup deadline approaches, we’re excited to finalize the team roster for Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2013.

We’re also excited to know how many of you are passionate about fighting human trafficking and would like to do the tour, but it’s just logistically not possible. You’re in a different part of the country. You have previous family commitments during June 22-30. And there are those pesky things called jobs that so frequently get in the way.

Well, we’ve got a deal for you!

Build Your Own FREEDOM Tour (BYOFT)

Here’s how it works:

1. Order a jersey by May 15^th. ($60 + $5 shipping)
2. Ride wherever, whenever you wish. Ride as far as you wish, because this isn’t about miles.
3. Wear the jersey as you ride. Folks will notice. Some will ask what it’s about, and there’s your opening to spread the word.
4. Take advantage of opportunities to tell people about the cause.
5. Rinse and repeat.

BYOFT is a win-win-win.

You get a really cool bike jersey designed by our talented friend Erin. You get some great exercise and a way to proclaim your support for a great cause.

Together we raise funds to support U COUNT and their partners in their fight against human trafficking. We all get the chance to tell others about this horrible issue.

EXTRA CREDIT

• Bike jerseys tend to attract attention in groups. What if you did your BYOFT as a family or with a couple of friends?
• Get pledges and raise extra $$ for the fight against human trafficking. Commit to ride a certain number of miles in a month or over the summer (while wearing your cool jersey) and ask friends to pledge a nickel or a dollar per mile.

Logistics

Send an email with the following information (by May 15^th–we gotta get them ordered):

Name & Mailing address
Jersey size(s) M / W – S / M / L / XL / XXL

I’ll reply with an address to send a check payable to U COUNT. (U COUNT is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization.)

We’ve already got a bunch of Fort Collins folks doing BYOFT. I can’t wait to see the impact of all those jerseys (and their riders) on our city streets and bike trails throughout the summer.

Wouldn’t it be cool if something similar happened in your community? How many conversations would your jersey spark? How much awareness can you create with your own BYOFT?

How can you change the world?

1. Start where you are
2. Use what you have
3. Do what you can

You can change the world for one child caught in the horrors of trafficking just by riding a bike. How cool is that?

BYOFT!

Please leave a comment here.

Earlier this week I got to do one of my favorite things. The staff at Lesher Middle School invited me to talk to their kids about hope and dreams.

This event included a unique element. Graphic recorder Karina Mullen from ConverSketch was also invited to interpret my message.

Karina had what seemed to me to be an incredibly difficult task. She stood at one side of the stage with a large, blank sheet of paper. Knowing nothing in advance about my story, she created an artistic interpretation, in real time, of what she heard. (Click on the image to see a bigger version.)

I think it’s an amazing skill, to plan on the fly, figure out the storyline, determine what’s important, and record it all in a way that’ll remind the kids of what they heard. The original artwork will be displayed in the school lobby, hopefully serving to prolong the impact of an important message as students see images and remember the words that inspired them.

I was fascinated by the story behind ConverSketch. Karina abandoned her college art major for more “practical” pursuits. In graduate school she saw the value of visual representations of complex ideas and discussions in seminars, planning sessions, and presentations. A picture really is worth a thousand words.

So she serves all kinds of organizations by listening to conversations, translating them into visual language, and recording the images. I’ll bet her art often sparks further discussion—that certainly happened at our house.

As she told her story, I realized she was following a dream. She found a way to use her gift and passion for art, along with her other training, to provide a beneficial service to others. She clearly enjoys not  just the work but the opportunity to help others see their ideas, find clarity, and use her work as a springboard for deeper analysis.

Graphic Recorder isn’t exactly your typical career path. I didn’t even know such people existed, but I’m glad they do. Meeting and working with Karina was truly an honor. Her artwork will always be a treasured part of our story. We’ll have a lot of fun finding creative ways to share her gift.

Karina stepped out of her comfort zone and took a risk by starting her own business in a unique niche.

That takes courage. It’s what this thing called RICH’S RIDE is all about.

Please leave a comment here.

# # #

I encourage you to stop over at today’s edition of Bouncing Back to find out about an important opportunity to raise awareness about the horrors of human trafficking.

This morning I spent a few minutes on Skype with my friend Paul from Venture Expeditions.

The Venture guys are excited about their upcoming Love Does Tour and their partnership with Bob Goff and Restore International to provide justice and education to children in Uganda. A few of our friends are reuniting on that ride, and it’ll be fun to follow their progress.

Paul talked about the benefits of a bike adventure combined with a social justice cause. We shared stories of riders who exceeded everyone’s expectations because they were riding for something bigger than themselves. I said I wish everyone could have that sort of experience and sometimes I struggle to understand why it’s so difficult for people to make the commitment.

Paul and I reached this conclusion.

Once you’ve stepped through the door, it’s easy to forget how hard it was to step through the door the first time.

Paul’s done lots of tours. I’ve done a few. We’re both “over” the fear of can I do it? When others say “That’s amazing” we tend to wave our hands dismissively. No big deal.

Except, of course, it is a big deal. Whether it’s cycling a lot of miles, raising the funds, talking about the cause, or just being part of a team, it’s scary, especially when you’ve never done it. That’s okay. It’s supposed to be scary.

We pay a heavy price to avoid feeling afraid. Mostly, it’s not worth it. The point isn’t avoiding fear, it’s finding the courage to confront the fear.

It gets easier each time you do it. Honestly, it never gets easy. It shouldn’t, not if you’re challenging your limits and trusting God in the space beyond your comfort zone.

Maybe that’s one of the big advantages to an adventure like a bike tour. It’s a fun way to step through the door for the first time.

Hopefully that initial step leads to others and a lifetime of trusting God’s call to engage with your faith and follow big, outrageous dreams.

# # #

If you’re considering joiining the team for Front Range FREEDOM Tour, the deadline’s approaching. We need your application by May 15th so we can get jerseys ordered.

Check out the links below and contact us.

• CLICK HERE For More Information
• FAQ Page
• Online Application

Please leave a comment here.

Last time I told you about Alycia’s choice to do a difficult task. She knocked. God opened the door. She stepped boldly and courageously through the door and into the opportunity.

If I’m honest with myself, I have this sense that lately I spend a lot of time in front of open doors.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

But those open doors are pretty much useless if I refuse to step through.

Stepping through requires trust. Stepping through is the decision point, the commitment, the place I stop talking and start doing. Stepping through is where I engage with my faith.

So why do I hesitate?

It’s not the door I expected. I knocked on the red door. I was pretty sure it was the right one. But the blue door opened.

I don’t know what’s on the other side. I had the other door all figured out, but this one is totally unpredictable.

I’m afraid.

I need more time. I need to seek wisdom and advice. I need to pray more. I need more discernment. I need more planning or finances.

# # #

I knocked. God opened the door. Jesus says He’ll step through this God-provided opportunity with me. “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mostly I don’t need more time. What I need is faith and trust.

I’m tired of sitting in front of doors God’s opened. Time to roll through.

I need to decide.

You? Any open doors in front of you right now?

# # #

If you’re considering joiining the team for Front Range FREEDOM Tour, the deadline’s approaching. We need your application by May 15th so we can get jerseys ordered.

Check out the links below and contact us.

• CLICK HERE For More Information
• FAQ Page
• Online Application

Please leave a comment here.

My friend Alycia is in Sierra Leone this week.

She arranging micro-finance opportunities and working to connect on-the-ground organizations that help kids who live in absolutely deplorable conditions. She organized and financed the trip. It’s a difficult, dangerous place for a white woman to travel alone.

She might have selected a group mission trip to a relatively safe location. She chose a significantly more complex and uncertain task and a somewhat precarious destination. Many folks, even those who admire what she’s doing, wonder why Alycia would choose such a risky, unpredictable mission.

What do you think? Why would she choose hard rather than easy?

# # #

Riding a bike 450 miles in a week is hard.

That’s exactly why we’re inviting you to join us for Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2013.

To paraphrase John F. Kennedy’s 1962 challenge to send a man to the moon, we do this, not because it’s easy, but precisely because it’s hard.

Hard takes you outside your comfort zone. Hard asks you to commit to something bigger than self and beyond preconceived, often self-imposed, limits.

I believe the riders who make this kind of commitment will intentionally open space for God to work in their hearts. I can’t predict what will happen as a group of individuals become a team through sweat and shared sacrifice. I’m only certain He won’t waste that space, that He’ll fill it with something powerful and life-altering.

Hard opens the door to possibility—the chance to discover something about myself, the prospect of new relationships, the opportunity to trust God in a new way.

Easy precludes possibility by demanding assured outcomes and turning away any prospect of failure—or meaningful achievement.

Possibility—that’s what makes the difficult work worth doing.

# # #

Interested in this opportunity to help STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

Check out the links below and contact us.

• CLICK HERE For More Information
• FAQ Page
• Online Application

Please leave a comment here.

Becky and I spent a big chunk of the weekend talking to people about Front Range Freedom Tour 2013.

Lots of people stopped to chat. Most had a similar reaction:

I’d like to do something like that, but it looks too hard. It would take so much time. I couldn’t afford it.

You get the idea. Almost everyone we talked to thought the ride was a great idea for a wonderful cause. They clearly wished us well. And they had a well-rehearsed litany of reasons/excuses for not joining the team as a rider or volunteer.

There was a time when that sort of weekend would have sent me into a tailspin of cynicism. But when I headed out Sunday afternoon for a training ride I was actually energized.

I remembered the guy about my age. He stood a few feet away and gazed intently at the map of our proposed route. You could see from his face that he was visualizing something that mattered. He wasn’t excited or giddy…he was determined.

When I greeted him he said, “I want to do this. I need to do this.”

“Well, then let’s do it.”

“I’ll be in touch.” He took the materials and headed off.

I thought about the young lady who almost sprinted to our table. “Do you really think I could do something this amazing? It seems like it would be so incredible!” Her face beamed when I assured her she’d find untapped strength in shared sacrifice. She hugged me. “I SO want to do this with you.”

There were five high school kids who inquired about riding because they’re passionate about fighting human trafficking. How can you not get excited about that?

I don’t know whether any of these folks will end up joining the team. I hope so, but I’m slowly learning to do my best and leave the results to God. Somehow He always seems to work it out.

Here’s what I hope: I hope they don’t choose based on fear. If they truly believe in the cause, if they’re attracted to the notion of joining a team of committed people who are dedicated to something bigger than themselves, I hope they won’t let fear stop them.

• Afraid I can’t ride that many miles
• Afraid to ask for time off work
• Afraid I can’t raise the money
• Afraid of…

I believe most regret traces back to a decision based on fear. God’s bigger than our fears. Most people never approach their true potential because they don’t trust God for the space beyond their comfort.

Jesus said, ““Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) He assured us we could face fear because He would be with us.

# # #

The sketch at the top is a mock-up of the ride jersey. I’m still playing with ideas before I send it to a real designer who actually knows what they’re doing—what do you think?

Visualize the team rolling along the Colorado foothills proclaiming the message: STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

I’m energized by the idea of being part of that. You?

• CLICK HERE For More Information
• FAQ Page
• Online Application

Please leave a comment here.

My thoughts about The Easy Button reminded me of a 1971 cult movie called Billy Jack. If you haven’t seen the film, you might recognize its theme song One Tin Soldier.

Tom Laughlin plays a native-American Green Beret Vietnam veteran. The film centers on cultural conflict between leaders of an Indian reservation school and corrupt, racist town leaders.

In this pivotal scene, a group of Indian children go into town for ice cream. They’re refused service and then abused and humiliated by bullies.

Can’t see the video in your email or reader? Click here.

I’ll bet every one of us can identify with Billy’s outrage. When I see a bully, I want to lash out. When I see the horrors of abuse, I understand the desire to go berserk!

That’s the “easy button” approach. And it doesn’t work. Not long-term. In the film, Billy’s outburst, while momentarily satisfying, begins a chain of events with tragic consequences.

He needed to stop the immediate abuse and assure the kids’ safety. But the bullies weren’t going to challenge him.

His fight was less about rescue than about retribution and revenge. Good script for an action movie.

Not so good for long-term reconciliation.

How would you re-write the end of the scene?

Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed. Isaiah 1:17

Beating up the bad guys might feel good, but retaliation isn’t justice. Victims of abuse and oppression need restoration, healing, and opportunity. They need to forgive, not because it’s easy but because it’s the gateway to authentic hope.

Our partners at U COUNT Campaign. They support at-risk women and children and former victims of sex slavery by providing job sustainability and safe living and working environments.

They seek justice. It’s not “easy button” work.

Please leave a comment here.

As folks in the Boston area begin to put the pieces back together, I notice a nearly universal phenomenon following tragedies: the search for an “easy button.”

We want THE answer, happy endings, a fast fix. And mostly, they don’t exist.

In real life, there’s rarely an easy button.

When faced with significant loss, people need to grieve. It doesn’t matter how many inspirational stories we tell them, the grief process is a given. Everyone moves through it in their own way, at their own speed, but everyone has to grieve if they truly want to heal and move forward.

Victims of violence and oppression don’t need a quick fix. Yes, they need immediate relief, protection, or rescue from immediate danger, but that’s only the beginning. Once the storm subsides, the real work begins. That’s when they need people willing to listen, travel along on their painful path, and assure them they’re not alone.

Often it’s a long process that happens after CNN moves on to the next sensational story. It’s not the glamorous, inspirational tale we’ll see later in the made-for-TV movie. It’s one step forward, two steps back. It’s tears and sleepless nights wondering whether you’ll ever stop hurting or whether it’s worth crawling out of bed to face another day.

You and I can’t prevent horrible storms and accidents. We can’t eradicate the human evil that intentionally harms or kills innocent victims and enslaves human beings for the profit and pleasure of others.

We can resolve to ease the suffering where we encounter it. I’ll continue to argue that if we help even one person, we change the world.

That means we drop our need to provide a quick fix for complex problems. We commit to be the one who sticks around for the difficult, painful, after-the-storm recovery process.

We resist the urge to push the easy button.

Please leave a comment here.

About a year ago I started seriously preparing for IJM Freedom Tour 2012.

I’d never heard of International Justice Mission. I sort of knew, in the distant background, about issues of human trafficking. But there was much I didn’t know.

I didn’t know…

• there are places where a man can order a child for sex in the same way he orders dessert from the restaurant menu?
• human trafficking is the world’s second largest criminal enterprise, after drugs.
• an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are forcibly trafficked into the United States each year.
• as many as half a million teens in the US are forced into prostitution.
• it is common for the legal system and law enforcement to view these children as criminals rather than victims.

I didn’t know this stuff. Maybe you didn’t either, but now you do. Now, what?

We can choose to turn away. We can pretend it’s not our problem. We can wring our hands and complain. Or we can do something. But one thing’s for certain—once you know stuff like this, you can’t un-know.

What can we do? We can adopt Helen Keller’s attitude.

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

Each of us, you and I, can choose to do what we can, where we are, with what we have.

• I’m riding my handcycle along the Rocky Mountain foothills from the Wyoming to New Mexico borders. I hope to take along a team of about twenty riders. You can join Front Range Freedom Tour 2013, have a bunch of fun, and help us raise awareness and money to combat these horrors.
• Maybe you can’t ride, but you can encourage a friend and offer to help with fundraising and other preparations.
• Sharing is caring. You can subscribe to this blog and spread the word by sharing the story. It’s nice to be liked—we hope you’ll join our Facebook page and encourage others to come along. But the real impact comes when you share useful posts on your timeline and forward the emails. Lots of “shares” increases the likelihood that your friends will see and read the posts.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

^…

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40, 44-45)

Now, we know.

Please leave a comment here.

Becky & Una

A couple of days ago (It’s Too Hard!) I challenged us to re-think the notion that serving others is supposed to be easy.

One of my role models for this lesson is my friend Una. I first wrote about her several months ago when we rode together on IJM Freedom Tour 2012.

Una grew up in Botswana. She came to the U.S. for medical school and became a pediatric critical care specialist. She serves in an inner city hospital in Brooklyn, saving children’s lives and teaching other doctors.

Una told us the hardest part of her specialty is watching sick children die. She believes God called her to this work, but she’s sometimes confused about why God would call her to heal children and then allow them to die.

I asked how she could remain in a field that caused her so much pain. She replied, “I learned to choose gratitude.”

Gratitude—that God gave her the gifts of a calling and the ability to pursue it, that many children survived and thrived under her care, that she could pray for all of her patients.

Una believes she’s called to help children—all children. So when she heard about a bike tour to raise funds and awareness to combat the horrors of human trafficking, she responded.

Oh, there’s one other detail.

Una had never been on a bicycle.

So a few short months before the tour, Una bought a bike and began learning to ride. By herself. In Brooklyn. When the team gathered in Cincinnati she was afraid. Una still wasn’t completely comfortable maneuvering, turning, stopping quickly. But she was absolutely committed to facing her fear and riding five hundred difficult miles through the hills of Ohio and West Virginia.

On Day 1 of the tour, when Una pulled into the parking lot at the end of the ride, she’d covered 98 miles. She asked the tour leader to do an extra two miles with her to complete a century—100 miles!

You can’t do that!

Someone who’s just learned to ride a bike can’t possibly ride 100 miles on her first day of serious touring, right? That’s as crazy as a guy in a wheelchair believing he can crank a handcycle 1500 miles.

Hope changes what’s possible.

We’re doing a fun tour called U COUNT Front Range Tour 2013. We’ll do what we can to make a difference for women and cildren who’ve been rescued from the sex trade. It won’t be easy. But it’s gonna be a blast!

Here are some links to check out:

• Invitation & General Information
• FAQ Page
• Route Information
• Online Application

I hope you’ll consider joining us. Free people—free people.

Please leave a comment here.