Do I have to get out of bed? It’s 8:10 & my body wants more sleep—I don’t know if I need the sleep but I want more sleep.

Yesterday I forgot to mention the horsemeat…yes horsemeat! We were at The Dutch Shop, Eritia’s bakery, & in the deli case I see a ‘loin’ labeled horsemeat. At first I laughed thinking it really was horse—then Jaco & John asked me what I was laughing at & I pointed & asked them what it really was—it REALLY is HORSE. Jaco offered me a slice—thank you NO! When in Rome maybe, but this isn’t Rome…and I have options. Maybe it’s what you get used to, but we used to joke about old horses going to the glue factory. Here, if the race horse loses it loses in a big way.

After blogging, dinner, and a shower we headed to Niagara. Henrietta gave us a ride through Niagara on the Lake and then took us to the Falls…such generous hospitality. Henrietta is a CRWRC worker in the Burlington office in Canada. She has served 10 yrs in Mali, West Africa. Her claim to fame was riding a camel in Timbuktu.

We went to worship this morning at Covenant CRC…not in Sioux Center but in St Cath. This church is Alida Van Dijk’s home church. A good number of other riders attended here too this morning. A few SERVE teams spoke about their trips at the service—it’s so neat to hear what they witnessed and what they were able to be a part of in the name of Christ. I can see seeds planted in them & if I never meet them again I pray that those seeds take fruition in the Word so they continue to go out in the world.

Pastor Herm & Dee—met a few friends of yours from Toronto—Gerard & Ellie Duiker & Emo Knibbe…they came here for the service today. It’s raining right now—maybe if we have the rain today we won’t have rain tomorrow when we ride…

The rain stopped and we were able to have the Celebration Service outdoors at Queenston
Heights at Niagara Falls. Brian Walsh gave the address and talked about being change agents—living the fruit of the Spirit without piety.We’re off to peleton & I found out I’m on sweep tomorrow morning—set out lunch items, breakfast will be provided by a local church I think, and them sweep the riders into camp. We’re crossing back into the states tomorrow—pray that it goes smoothly.

Mike Vander Horst went down again late yesterday afternoon & found out he has a crack in the color bone. Mike is a very good/strong rider, I’ve been behind him in a head wind & he’s also good about calling out road conditions for us. Please pray for comfort & healing–he’s going to ride in the morning though. Also pray for Sarah Terpstra—she went home with a kidney infection but will join us in Jersey City. Sarah—we’re praying your rest & meds do you well & I was sorry to hear this news.

It’s really hard to believe that we have 6 days of riding left. As much as I’m going to miss all the people I’m riding with and everyone in camp, I’m setting my mind that even though the riding is coming to an end— our mission and fight against poverty continues. I’m more aware myself of the needs locally and globally and some of the things I can do. I’m more knowledgeable of the work CRWRC and our missionaries and disaster response teams do and our churches involvement. It was announced that were over the $2 million point in our fund raising—Praise God & thank you all.