Monday, August 31, 2009

just taking it easy on day 5

Howdy Dudes,
Not much to say today except i didnt think i would have my easiest day in the rockies.It was downhill all the way but all that means is its back up the mountains tommorrow but thats ok.If every day was this easy i would feel i was cheating as no challenging times would get boring.

Back to sleeping out again tonight but at least it doesnt look like rain.Keep praying for a big breakthrough in donations for Home of the Open Heart ,i am sure God wants to bless this great work in Thailand.Check their website and send their website on to potential donors as that would make me a happy man.

How do other people get money for their charity doing similar things.I heard of someone raising 50,000 just doing a ten day challenge.Must be who ya know not what you do.I wont give up though God has ways of surprizing when all seems lost.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

rocky mountain high colorado.days 3 and 4

Gday ,
Day 3 and 4 have had there challenges as expected.Yesterdays climb was even harder than the previous day but this time i could also enjoy the ride down.Again i had to stop every 50 to 100 yards to get my breath due to the altitude but the good thing about that it gives you time to soak in the beauty .

I arrived pretty tired at a place called Brekenridge which is really nice and a womans dream with an amazing variety of shops.As usual i found a place to sleep outside only to be woken up a few hours later by the rain.I soon found the cover for my sleeping bag wasnt as water proof as it was meant to be and slowly i became wet.

Eventually i had enough and got up feeling not to happy but decided to check my mobile to see if a mate had texted me the footy scores.Well i found something better than that which was that the folks from St Lukes church had taken up a collection and raised 300 dollars for me.This is from a small church that you wouldnt call affluent.

This was on top of the normal 250 they are giving me once a month while i am on this journey.I was down to my last 45 dollars so sitting there in the wet at 6am that was a nice way to cheer me up.Thats the thing i am finding about this trip.If i am having a hard day God always seems to have a way of bringing a positive so i dont get down for long.

The opposite is true to in that when things seem to be cruising they have a way of suddenly changing and a different challenge presents itself.While each day has the same cycling routine ya never know what to expect.Storms come and go so quickly.It looked like i was heading into one today ,it was so cold.I had 6 layers of clothing on including my poncho yet 10 miniutes later the sun was out and i am looking for my sunglasses and down to 2 layers.

I feel that God really wants me to know He loves me and i can trust Him.Its easy to believe that in your head but its another thing to believe it in your heart.A couple of weeks ago while riding something went wrong and i really spat the dummy and told God that i didnt believe He loved me and was playing mind games.What shocked me was i said it with such conviction from a place deep within my heart.

I really had to acknowledge that and my prayer since has been that i will receive a revelation of that so whatever happens in my life i will see that He is there in the midst of it bringing good out of it and seeing that the worst low in life is when we can have the greatest high with Him.Again thats easy to say but how deep is that belief.

He is showing me His charecter in so many ways.Trust is a big thing.I have to trust Him in 3 areas on this ride. 1.That He will give me the strength to get to the end of the ride. 2.That He will provide for me along the way .Its a bit hard riding up hill on an empty stomach.Its a sad fact that about 2 billion people in the world arnt sure of there next meal and when you arnt sure of ya next meal it certainly challenges your faith. 3. Is that He will provide a significant amount of funds for Home of the Open Heart. This is the one i have battled with most because it will simply not happen if He doesnt do it.

So its an interesting time.Its against our human nature to trust in this way as we all want to think we are and can control out own destiny without any outside help especially from a God we cant see or touch and sometimes doubt He is there and could possibly care about us pathetic creatures.

Even tonight as i was riding into this new town and i thought God i havent had a shower for nearly 4 days ,i dont want to sleep out in the cold again .I want a nice warm bed and get a good sleep but i didnt have enough money for the normal cost of a room.I found out about a hostel that charges 20 dollars and i just had enough to pay and even better its not a dive but a really lovely ,cosy and warm house.

Well its late so i better make the most of that bed.Goodnight and God bless.
Bernie

Friday, August 28, 2009

2nd day in the rockys

Shalom,
Well today was certainly different.I think i thought for a while yesterday that i may have overestimated how hard it was going to be,not so .Today was tough and for one reason,altitude.I hope not attitude.So often i would have to stop every 100 yards to get my breath and i tired easily.

Also in sleeping out ya dont get the hours or quality of sleep needed.It didnt help last night when as i was bunking down a cop spotted me and warned me of bears and mountain lions.I slept with one eye open.

At nearly 11000 feet its cold at night and i have 4 layers of clothing on but at least i have the luxury of some grass underneath tonight to soften my sleep.Hopefully tommorrow maybe a bit easier ,i must be due to go down the mountain soon.

Oh for the comfort of bed and warmth,but its all good fun.Bless you all,
Bernie

Thursday, August 27, 2009

ist day rocking in the rockys

Greetings,
Well the ist day went really well.The weather was perfect and the mountain climb steady but not overly hard.In thinking about all the hard things i was to face i hardly thought of the absolute beauty that would greet me as soon as i entered the rocky mountains.It is magnificant and its only the start.Even riding at night i could still appreciate there splendour.

I am under no illusion though that it wont be as good as this all the way as far as the elements go but i will enjoy the first 3 days of good sunny days before the storms hit on sunday and apparently they can be full on but thats for another day.

Its late now and i have to find a tree to sleep under.Its a crazy way of living but its different and God has some good trees to choose from. Goodnight.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Howdy folks,
Well i have finally arrived at my much anticipated Denver Colorado.Yes the first thing i did when i spotted the mountains in the distance was to play john denvers song rocky mountain high.I am staying at the ywam base which is great .Its good to be part of a family that is all over the world and just feel totally at home in.

I will have a couple of days break here before tackling the hardest part of the journey.This is the base that had the tragedy about 1 year ago when a guy came in and shot 2 ywamers dead and injured others.The base are doing fine now and have moved on from that.

The last few days have been good ,in the reasonably hard bracket but also enjoyable at times.I have another mosquito story though.I was riding for several hours when i got swamped by hunreds of them.For the next 4 hours of every second i was either scratching or killing them.

They were driving me mad .I finally came to a house and a guy gave me a repellant that actually worked.Its a wonder no one has used them as a form of torture.After a few hours i would confess to anything.

I would appreciate ya prayers over the coming weeks as i combat the mountains,altitude.and probably attitude,humidity,cold,rain,wind,all the lovely elements that will certainly be a big challenge but i know i will get there with the Lords help and your support.

Thats about it for now.Many blessings,
Bernie

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

the mountains are calling

Hi Folks,
Hope you are all doing well and enjoying life.I only have 2 days before i start the challenging rocky mountains though i think its not until 3 days into Colarado that the hard part begins.Mountains ,cold and less oxygen ,sounds like fun.At least i will be able to stay at the ywam base in Denver on my way through ,which will be great.

I have been constantly amazed on this trip how God brings about help and changes things around when ya really need it.There have been many times when i thought i am to tired to go far today or feel a bit down but with some prayer in a matter of miniutes i can feel fine again and have a renewed energy .I am sure thats also your prayers helping me.

The last couple of days the wind and heat have eased off .The one thing that is really bugging me though is mosquitoes.Why were those irritating things ever created other than to keep the repelant people in a job .They need to invent one that actually works.

There is a need to improvise at times .As you would appreciate its important to have clean underwear.Well i wash them in petrol station toilets .How to dry them? Obvious.Put them on the handle bars of the bike and they dry as i ride along .Beautiful eh.

Keep me in your prayers duting this next difficult stage .At least i will experiance the beauty of the mountains.God never gives us more than we can handle so i know as with all of us ,if we look to Him in whatever our circumstances ,He will help,teach and bless us in whatever we have to go through .

Pray also for Home of the open Heart as we wait to see God move in the area of financial blessing for that charity.

Love and Peace,
(well it is the anniversary of woodstock)
Bernie

Friday, August 14, 2009

nebraska and some more

Howdy Folks,
I am now half way across Nebraska and though hot and windy its not to bad.I had a good time last night when i arrived at a small town in a place called Poke. I was just deciding which tree i would sleep under when a guy Jeff on his motor bike invited me back to his place for a meal and he let me stay the night.His wife and three kids where great and very hospitable and it was a great time.
There have been some good times like that along the way and times when i have a real sence of freedom ,with the sun on me and a breeze and ya think how good is this ,riding across America.I rememeber one time i knew a storm was coming and i really hate riding in the rain so i was dreading it as i was out miles from anywhere.

As it started to come down i just made it to under a bridge that gave me enough protection.I was not sure if it would pass soon or i would have to ride on in it but as i sat there i had this sence of a deep peace and presence of God.I felt i could have stayed all day but when the rain stopped 30 mins later so did this feeling and in felt a bit disappointed it was over.

So there are good times,i dont want to share just those harder trials.A big part of why i am doing this is to try and find a greater reality of who God is.I am glad now that i am doing this by myself because i think having someone with me would be a distraction from achieving that .We all need to draw away at times to find the real reason we are here for.

I really like the ywam community i live at and my church at St Lukes but it is very easy at times to drift along and become comfortable and enjoy all the good things but still not have ya heart where it should be .God cleans up the mess you come to Him with, the addictions and whatever but there is so much more and i think i want to find out about the more.I certainly hope that happens along the way.I have had a little taste here and there.

Some other MAJOR things i have discovered about America are .They dont have outside taps ,i have to fill my water bottles in the toilet or the restroom as they politely call them here.They have the best donuts in the world ,yum.The drivers are funny when it comes to passing bicycle riders.Maybe its because i havent come across any riders using main roads or highways and drivers arnt use to seeing people riding along but they go way over to the other side if no car is coming and try and stay well clear .Thats great because in Australia i think alot of drivers play the game of seeing how close they can get without hiting you.

Americans also have a religiousity that i havent found at home.That is not always so good. Religion can be such a counterfeit and can seem almost like the real thing but isnt.Take away the facade and you have a people as in need of a genuine experiance and a life that shows that as people in any non christian country.

You can have some strange thought as ya riding along.I was thinking the other day whatever happened to Jethro from the beverly hillbillies.Now you would have to be about my age to remember it but if you do you would think it pretty wierd to think of Jethro.

Well its time to get back on the saddle.Thanks for taking the time to read .Continue to pray for Gods provision for Paul and Penny fom Home of the Open Heart to be able to build a place for the babies with AIDS ,to give them the care they need and help with the other work they are doing.Check out more details on their website .

Thanks for all your prayers ,support and finances in helping me get this far.Still along way to go but as i tell myself many times ,its one day at a time.

Bless you all,
Bernie

Monday, August 10, 2009

Gday ,
Well i am now at the border of Iowa and Nabraska.Last post i mentioned how good the weather had been but i reckon God must have decided i was getting it to easy as 2 days later i had the most demanding day so far.The temp got to 96 plus humidity and head wind and hills made for a full on 12 hours in the saddle.

To top off the day i slept in my favourite place, a cematry and it was still very hot and i was dity and sweaty and the mozzies were really bad so i am spraying repellant all over me but i reckon they liked the stuff .i went through nearly half a bottle of the horrible greasy stuff ,but i finally got a few hours sleep.Are there any natural non greasy repellants ,if so let me know.The next day was nearly as hot but with some storms for good measure.Next time i email something positive i will try and not let God see it.

I do think from here it gets alot tougher with the weather and hills and in just over a week the rocky mountains which will make what i have experianced so far like the warm up.If i was to rate the ride so far it would be roughly like this .Reasonably hard to tough 50 %.very tough 25% good 15%, very good 10%.

If you come across any good inspirational quotes post them as i may need them over the next 3 months . In the next day or two i will reach the 4000km mark which is half of the 8000 i will travel.Sadly it isnt really half way in time as the next 4000 will take longer due to the mountains and weather conditions.At worst i hope to finish by November 25th in time to experiance thanksgiving with ywam San francisco which is a couple of days later.I think i will be the most thankful person there.

That will be 5 months to the day since i started and i will celebrate september 11th as the half way mark and as a reminder to pray for those who lost loved ones on that day.Its also the day the crows should be battling it out in the finals.Sorry for all you not from Adelaide and dont know what i am talking about.

Keep praying for a breakthrough in finances for Home of the Open Heart and for strenght to keep going.Also that i may experance more of God as i often feel there is so much more .Its a bit like the song Bono sings ' I still havent found what i am looking for'.I know i have found the truth and the truth is a person, Jesus but i have hardly scratched the surface of who He is and to be used by Him .

Sorry but i need to bring this up again as the finances are again getting low.I need money for food and accomadation when i am not sleeping outside.If you can help my bank is Westpak.name Bernard Scanlan bsb 035016 account 571887. Thanks heaps for any help you can give.

Thats about it for now.I know some people have trouble posting commemts dont give up but if you cant you can always contace me on bkscan24@yahoo.com.au.
Bless you all,
Bernie

Thursday, August 6, 2009

a bit of God stuff,sorry non christians

Hi,
Great to hear from Mr Neumanns class,i really appreciate you supporting the cause and encouraging me.I am sure your effort will go well and you find a joy that comes with helping others.

I am now in IOWA and learning to trust the Lord to take a day at a time and not to worry about what may or may not happen the next day.I have been so blessed with good weather as it been the coolest summer on record here.I love the heat but its been far better riding in 28 or 30 C than the usual hotter and more humid stuff.

There are good and hard days but i am slowly learning that God is there regardless and His grace is there when we need to endure and there when we can simply enjoy His goodness .The God of the mountain is with us in the valley and really there is no such thing as a bad day in the Lord but just a different way for Him to express His love even if we cant always appreciate it at the time.

I am trying real hard not to dwell on how hard the rocky mountains are going to be and have to trust that somehow God will get me up there.Keep praying God will release the finances to help the work of Home Of The Open Heart .Check out the website.Pray for me also as i know without that it becomes so much harder and almost impossible to continue. Thanks also to those who are donating to me personally so i can buy food and get accomodation when needed .Thats so great and as yet i havnt had to go on a fast.

Bless you all and if you find the time let others know about this website because you never know who might respond and open there wallet .There may even be a millionaire being burdened with to much money who is looking for a good cause to support.

In about 6 days i will be at the halfway mark and i will certainly celebrate that with a malted milk shake.Cant believe i am at that mark so soon.The hardest part is still ahead but i have a powerful God on my side and when i am at my weakest His strength is there in greater measure.

Bless you all and i pray for you also that each one will find more of His love and joy in relationship with Him and in serving Him with all the gifts He has given you to bring about a positive change in this world that is crying out for us to show them a better way.

Cheers,
Bernie