Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The unexpected happens

Howdy partners,
Well ya never know whats going to happen in life eh.Nearing the end of my journey with only about 500kms to go i drop into a store to buy some fruit and a few miniutes later return to find bike ,trailer and most of my things gone.That night i sleep on a bench with only the shorts and shirt i have on me .I end up in a place for the homeless two nights later as little money is left.Not exactly what i had in mind when i began this journey.God has a warped sence of humour.

The good news is i know the Lord brings good out of every situation if we trust Him through it.Its not always easy but i know as more people now hear whats happened its far more likely for donations to come through for the charity which makes it all worthwhile.

Meanwhile i hope to be back on the road in the next couple of days as i am sure God will provide for me to be able to go on.One great thing also has been the support given to help me from friends ans strangers. Thank you all so much. I dont feel worthy but i truly love and appreciate you for it.

Pray for the homeless as well.I have got to like some of these guys.They just need a break to get them going again .

Will hopefully keep you updated with the final part of the journey if and when i can find a library as my laptop was also stolen.God bless the thief.I cant judge ,i use to be one myself.We are all sinners of some sort in need of forgiveness.

Bless you all,
Bernie

Friday, September 25, 2009

thankfulness

HI fOLKS,
I have left sin city behind and now over thr border into california but still in the desert so not to much to look at.I have found it hard to shake off the cold which has drained a bit of energy.I reckon i have blown my nose about 10,000 times over the last week.I knew you would find that facinating.

For the first time i am struggling a bit with keeping motivated.It may be the scenary ,the cold and that i am close to the finish but still a way off and need to stay focused on a daily basis as its conter productive to look to far ahead.There are still things on a spiritual and financial level i would like to get a breakthrough in but that is out of my control.

I have been thinking about thankfulness lately,The night before last when i was looking for a place to sleep i found my spot and thought great i get to sleep on dirt tonight not stones like the previous night.It then struck me as funny that i would be happy about a bed of dirt but it was relative and even the bed of stones wasnt that bad as i was so tired i slept well.It was like having acupressure while sleeping.

We do take so many things for granted and so many times dont appreciate our blessings.We talk about thw whinging poms but us aussies are the worst when it comes to complaining. A friend recently was cursing ETSA { the company that services our electricity} because of a blackout and it struck me how everyday we take for granted that we have nearly 100 percent access to it while so many have none or its limited.

I dont think there would be to many who give thanks when they have a hot shower or turn the tv on or the stove to cook ,the heater or air conditioner yet if we have to go a few hours without electricity our world comes crumbling down and how are we going to cope.We are becoming boring wimps and complainers and i am including myself here as i can match it with the worst of them especially when its wet and cold.

Somehow we have to remind ourselves we dont deserve the material blessing we have.We are simply fortunate to be born in developed countries where we have been given so much.To those who are christians we have been given the amazing gift of salvation and of knowing a God who loves us and wants to share Himself with us.Grasping that is another thing but we of all people are most blessed.Amazing grace,undeserved favour.

When i was in Africa i was constantly surprized how happy people were though not having much and not even sure of there next meal.Then arriving back to australia and the land of the long faces.My prayer is that i will learn to appreciate the mny blessings i have been given and to stop focusing on what i dont have.Even when things get a bit tough its a chance to grow and trust the One who cares for us.

Anyway i am getting sidetracked here but i guess sleeping on rocks can teach ya something.Must get back on the road.Appreciate ya prayers to keep going and with a positive attitude and dont forget the 10 dollar challenge.

Hope the Saints win the grand final but i think Geelong will, but i will be in the desert and not see a kick.It could be worse and the Crows playing and then i would be sad about not being able to watch the match.

Bless you all,
Bernie





Sunday, September 20, 2009

viva Las Vegas

Greeting from Las Vegas,
If that sounds exciting ,dont believe it.Jesus went into the desert and was tempted.People come here to be tempted.If your not into gambling LV is a big yawn.If you succumb to it you can experiance a new dawn,of poverty and despair.Yep the place where many have come to get rich but leave with only sorrow.The good thing is there is YWAM and churches trying to help people put there lives back together and God is alive and well in the sin capital of the world.

The last 2 days of riding to get here were fairly intense as it was 100 degrees both days and i had a rotten cold and was coughing heaps and having to blow my nose every 30 seconds.I finally got some over the counter medication but it got worse.I eventually reread the label and realized i was taking tablets for blocked nose not runny[mere male] .Slowly getting better but fortunately i have two days here before starting the final leg of my trip.

I cant believe its so close to the end now with about 900 kms left .Depending on how difficult the mountains are i should be in San francisco early october.While i know i will be happy to complete the journey and take time to reflect on what i learnt from it i also know there can be a bit of a let down as you think ok what now, but i am sure that will open up in time.

I do want to make one last appeal for raising funds for The Home of the Open Heart.I know i mentioned it before but i will again and that is the idea of a ten dollar challenge.If everyone who reads this donates 10 dollars and askes at least one friend to donate 10 and so on is it possible it could keep rolling on.If we just got 10,000 out of six billion to donate that equals 100,000.Pipe dream maybe but ya dont know till you give it a go.For those whose email address i have i will send you then idea so all you have to do is forward it on.

Sounds simple but it would be great to be able to raise a substantial amount to help Paul and Penny Wilcox continue to grow the work that they have worked so hard at for many years now.I figure it can be a bit like the world vision 40 hour famine thing where you pay the person after they have completed whatever task they agrred to do.Now that the trip is almost over they can give knowing i didnt quit or die half way.

I will certainly keep on trying to raise funds for at least the next two or three months as i think there is alot more out there that needs to be given.If 30 million people can come to Las Vegas every year to stupidly spend [WASTE] 20 billion then how small is 100,000 dollars to a worthwile cause.

Think of the millions of dollars Australians will spend in a few weeks time in one day on a horse race.Imagine how many people could be helped if somehow we could receive just one percent of what will be wasted that day.Nothing is impossible with God ,lets just pray and do what we can and see what happens.

Thanks for putting up with me this far,i will soon be out of the way but hang in for a bit longer.

The next few days look pretty tough with the heat and mountains and long stretches with no towns to get food or water but at least i know that in about two weeks its all over, YAHOO .You may not hear from me for a week or so as i doubt if there is going to be much internet available .

The YWAM base here is great with good people and its been good just to relax.Even got to go to the local swimming pool today.The cool change came in and it only got to 98 degrees.

Bless ya folks,
Bernie

Thursday, September 17, 2009

every day is different

Hi ,
The last few days have been ones of contrast.Three nights back was the coldest night i have experianced as i slept in the open and woke up with a cold that i still have.The following day was rather boring with not much scenary to excite and overcast and cold conditions,a bit of a downer really.One good thing was i got given a free night to sleep in a guys campervan that had the most confortable couch i ever slept on.I f this keeps up i will become soft.Not that i am complaining Lord

Yesterday was amazing as i travelled through the zion national park with the most incedible mountains.I am not one to take heaps of photos but was stopping every 1oo yards to do so.It was all down hill which was great. Made me think how fantastic the new 7 wonders of the world must be if they are better than this.

I now have a 2 or 3 day trip to reach Las vegas with the temperature in the mid 90s.That will be an interesting place to stay a couple of days before starting the final leg to San francisco.Keep praying for money to come in for Home of the Open Heart as i know God can really bless them over this final part of the journey.

Cant believe its getting close to the end.I think from vegas to frisco will take about 2 weeks and then it will finally be over.I am glad i pushed it along with alot of night riding to shorten the time as another couple of months of this would drive me mad.

There are still more mountains to cross yet so its far from over but i have come this far by His grace and your support i am sure this last part will be fine.

See you next from the city thats built on a lie that says money is the answer and there is a way to get rich easily,just be stupid enough to bet another dollar.A fool and his money are easily parted.These people need to know there is a better answer to finding happiness and a purpose for there lives.

cya,
blackjack bernie

Monday, September 14, 2009

luxury

Shalom,
Last night i was so tired and after 5 nights of sleeping on rocky sideways i was desperate for a decent night sleep but was as broke as a Fransiscan monk.I prayed more in hope than faith and asked 2 motels for a free room and they said no but praise the Lord the 3rd one said ok.

A 60 dollar room for free.It was so good.I kept waking up groaning as it felt like the comfortableness was drawing all the tiredness out of my body.Now some money has come through and all i can say is thanks again St LUKES and anyone else who donated .Now i can but some decent food and keep going.

Knowing there is prayer and financial support has been a real blessing as i dont feel i am all alone in this.I have to be patiant now as i want it to come to an end real bad but there is still a way to go even though the end is nigh.

Well better get back on the road as a storm is coming soon and its about to get dark.No luxury room tonight but thats ok.I wouldnt appreciate it if it was everynight.

Bye for now,
Bernie

Sunday, September 13, 2009

rest day

Hi Guys and Gals,
Its Sunday so its a rest day.Not that i timed it that way but i really need a day off and this little town of Escalanti seems an ok place.St lukes has helped again with a donation for food that should get me a fair bit of the final part of the journey.


Sometimes ya dont realize there are people who give a stuff until you have to ask for help.Its reasuring to know there are people who do give a fig.

Cant beleive how close to the finishing line its getting but still cant look to far ahead as there are still mountains ahead and after the killer day yesterday its still a day at a time.I think there is just over 3 weeks left.YAHOO.

Dont think i will be doing any rides on this scale again but ya never know what the future unfolds.

Thats it for now,God bless,
Bernie

Saturday, September 12, 2009

CROWS ,HOW COULD YOU

HI ,
Well just when i thought it was safe to get back on a bike i find a mountain that was more intense than the rockies.It was so hard i barely have the energy to type this.I hope thats the last big one for a while.

As i said Utah has some of the most amazing mountains and one area i came through was where they use it as a backdrop to many of Hollywoods movies such as back to the future ,greatest story ever told and mission impossible.Riding through there at night with an almost full moon was like being on another planet.

Since Colorado i have had to create my own trail as the american discovery trail is not to good for bikes with trailers so i am taking a slightly longer bue more scenic route to Las vegas,hopefully not much longer.

I just read how the Crows lost,i am glad i couldnt watch it.As they say there is always next year.

I am at an interesting stage re money.I think i know have the grand sum of 30p to my namr with just enough food to last half a day so i will wait and see how the Lord provides.

I have a feeling there is still a bit to go through before this is all over but thats what its all about.

Catch ya soon,
Bernie

Friday, September 11, 2009

Utah

Howdy,
Well i dont know what happened to the last update but there is a gremlin somewhere or i probably pressed the wrong button.I wont go over it all again as i have to get back on the road but its going ok.Utah has amazing mountains and the weather is steady at 90F so its not to bad.

I hope to get to Las Vegas in a weeks time and hopefully stay at the ywam base if they have room. After that its across the mountains in California for the home stretch so i hope to finish early october all going well.

I have to cry poverty again as i am now down to 12 dollars so if you can continue to help for these last few weeks it would be so appreciated .The bank is westpack.Bernard Scanlan
bsb 035016 account571887.Thanks for all those who have helped me get by so far,its been great to receive that support and encouragement.

Cant believe it will be over in a few weeks.I will be able to catch up with the Adelaide YWAM team when they arrive in San fransico which is amazing timing.

Bless you all and please Crows thrash those magpies.So sad i will miss it.If anyone can tape it for me that would be great .On the off chance we lose just erase it.Catch ya soon,
Bernie

Thursday, September 10, 2009

just more of the same

Hi ,
Well the last few days have been reasonably hard but not to bad.Coming from Colorado to Utah i went through about 40 miles of the most amazing country.Riding between mountains next to the Colorado river at night with an almost full moon was like being on another planet.

This is where many movies were made including mission impossible,back to the future ,the greatest story ever told and plenty of westerns and john wayne .The formation of the mountain and terrain are freaky.

The last couple of days hasnt been much to look at just desert,rather boring like going from Port Augusta to Alice Springs.The temperature is about 90 so its not to bad but it gets harder the next few days with more mountains to climb.

The only drag is at this time of the year not being able to watch the football especially with my team the mighty Crows playing.American football just doesnt cut it.Real men dont wear padding.

I feel i am over the hurdle now and even though there are still hard days ahead i can see the end in sight and the final day of riding will be so good especially ending it in Sanfransico at the YWAM base and catching up with the team from Adelaide.

I intend to celebrate with a big bowl of cheescake ,chocolate and icecream and red wine if i have any money left.Cant get to far ahead of myself though as it is still a way off.

I am still praying for some breakthroughs between now and then but God has His own time table. Thats about it for now ,nothing to exciting to report ,its just one mile after another.Slowly,slowly wins the race.I am hanging out for some normal life now.

Catch ya in a few days,
Bernie

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Hi Guys and Gals,

I am really getting tired now and would appreciate your prayers to get me through this last 2000kms.Travelling into Utah was amazing as the mountains were huge and so different to Colorado with there freaky formations.Riding at night with the almost full moon lighting the way i felt like i was on another planet.


The heat is intense when having to ride up with the head wind but the nights are great.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

confessions of a shoplifter

Gday,
I was hungry and just came from church so i went to the local huge market ,grocery store and bought 3 dollars worth of chicken where they put the price on the item and you are supposed to pay at the check out.I decided i would sit at the tables and eat it immediately.Unfortunately for me i made a mistake.

I forgot to pick up the empty packet and take it to the counter.I bougth some other food and paid for it but as i was leaving a security gaurd told me to come to the office.I wasnt worried just surprized because i knew i hadnt done anything wrong until they showed me the wrapper.

An employee walked in and sarcastically said 'enjoyed ya free meal,well now its gonna cost you'.Amazing how the accused are mainly presumed guilty until and if you can prove your innocense.I guess they were never going to believe the i forgot reason as that is what a guilty person would say so i cant blame them for going ahead and charging me.

Yes ,up to 250 dollars but at least the chicken was nice.Not that i can claim to have never have done such a thing many ,many years ago.I use to walk into Harris Scarfe up to 6 times a day and take a sterio and sell it to my favourite second hand store.Years later when i felt convicted about it i fessed up to the store but they kindly let me off.I am glad i didnt have to pay back 4 times the amount like one dude in the bible did.

So there you go ,from charity bike rider to crim because of 3 dollars of chicken.I was going to cry fowl play but i dont think it would have helped.

Took an extra day off today because i was still heaps tired but will definately cross over into Utah tomorrow.Catch ya then,
Yours in crime,
Bernie

Saturday, September 5, 2009

days 6 to 9

Hi Folks,
After 9 days in the rockies i am stuffed.If you dont know aussie venacular it means very exhausted.Today is a day off and i am walking around like a zombie,i can hardly move.It has been full on.There were mountains over 12,ooo ft that took 8 hrs to ride up,barely keeping the bike moving.Freezing nights and sleeping out have caught up with me .

Coming out of the mountains yesterday i was hit by another extreme and that was a 92 degree day which was a bit of a shock after the cold and added to the exhaustion.I finally arrived at a town and stayed at a hostel to get some much needed rest.

To see the beauty of the mountains made it all worth it and i wont bother to try and describe it as i wouldnt do it justice but i think it may be even more spectacular than the mountains i climbed to the Everest base camp i did a few years ago.

I still have another day of riding before crossing into Utah where it looks like the challenge will be coping with 100 degress + heat and making sure i find enough water along the way.

I have now hit the 6000kms and as i have done alot of riding at night i think i am ahead of schedule and hope to finish sometime in October.I cant believe this thing will finally come to an end but that still seems along way off and anything can happen between now and then.

Would love to hear from some of you who have been following this journey by posting a comment just to convince me i am not talking to myself.I do appreciate all the support i have received in many ways along the trip as it would not have been possible for me to get this far without it, so thanks heaps.

Go the crows.For those not from Australia,we in Adelaide have a strange love for crows that started in 1991 when thousands of people would gather to watch them every week or two and developed an even greater love for them in 1997 and 98 due to seeing them in full flight.There are a few losers that dont like them but we dont worry about those that cant appreciate how good they are. Check them out if you ever come here.They mainly hang out in the suburb of West Lakes.

A joke for the kids. QWhy cant an elephant ride a bicycle?
A.Because he doesnt have a thumb to ring the bell.
Q.What is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike.
A.The road.
Q.Why couldnt the bicycle stand up for itself.
A.Because it was two tyred.

Well i must be tired so i better go before the jokes get worse.
Utah should be interesting .The mormons might see me as a possible recruit seeing i am halfway there with my bicycle but i dont like there uniforms.

Bye for now,
Bernie