You made that look easy. Isn’t it amazing when God gives us joy in things we sometimes dread. Thanks for your continued obedience. May God grow you through this experience.
Greg and Cathy Huffer
Monterrey, Mexico

Hi Mark,

It’s Bekah.( BooCloud) Mommy just let me watch you riding your bike. I wish I could ride with you but mommy said “no” (she knows that it would be too hard for my little legs!) Thank you for helping other children that don’t have mommy’s and daddy’s. You are sweet and I love you. You are kind. I have been praying for you that God will protect you. Be safe!

I Love You Mark!
Bekah Netherton (AGE 6)
Greensburg, Indiana

Mark,
Today was hard but you made it look easy. The countryside, God’s creation, that you are seeing is beautiful and I am glad that today you enjoyed the view! Keep plugging away! And again, thanks for keeping us updated with your blogs. It makes us feel like we are there with you!

God Speed!
BekahsMom (Hoosier Cloud)
Sarah Netherton
Greensburg, Indiana

Mark,
Proud of you man. Keep it up or I might have to put Walden in for you. Eagle….pride….Eagle…..pride…eagle. One tip I picked up from the video, your stubbing your right toe every 3rd or 4th rotation. Since you have been on the road for a while I would like to update you on what has been happening in the world 1) Stupka struck out playing softball..then ran straight into a closeline, 2) I caught a pass right off my shoelaces for an amazing TD 3) the ‘Mach’ car has completly been wiped off the face of the earth save one with a wooden interior (appears to have NASA craftsmanship) 4) Permed hair, pegged pants and boat shoes -all out of style. 5) Ed is now serious all the time until you remind him of his rolex.
Mark – keep it up…super proud of you.
Skins
P.S. #6 there is small dent, well more like ‘damage’ to your car, pretty sure I will be able to track down the guy who caused the damage don’t let it bother you, besides with all your biking ability who needs a car!

Mark and crew,
It was fantastic having you out here in Rancho Mirage, CA. It was nice meeting you and being a part of what you are doing for the James Fund. You are making a difference for the kingdom of God. You have got to be one of the nicest guys and you shine with the light and love of Jesus. Keep up all the good work and we are looking forward to having you back again. Take care and stay safe. Jason and Andrea

Awesome Mark Just Awesome!
I think that you are growing in faith everyday in so many ways and with your video’s so are we. Its kinda like reading a devotional in a way and todays was great and the Lord has given you not only the insight into what we really need to be praying for but also the faith and strength to see it through. I pray all the time for strength and somehow its there when I need it, Praise God! Stay faithful my friend and stay close to God and you will be just fine and keep learning so you can share with all of us as this trip will be a great witness to many. As you wrote” The one thing you know , in faith you’ll find something to stand on or you will be taught to fly” Keep on flying Mark keep on flyin!
Tim

Hello Mark, Chuck, Eric, Redwine and Clay,

Our encouragement to you from this day is the HOPE you are bring us all! As we watch you struggle/suffer out there on the road, God says this will produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope! The truth here really is that we already have been reconciled through Jesus and have our reward awaiting us all! Therefore, it is up to us to make Him known so that others, too, can be reconciled and have this very HOPE that you all are showing!

With much love, encouragement and hope!

The Casazza Family of Atlanta, GA

Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

What a great leeson you have come to for all of us.

Father God, give us strength for today, the ability to trust you today, to see your hand in this day and to glory in you and your creation!!

Thanks Mark – a stong day and your impact is profound.

Love,

Steve Biondo

There are reasons that the Lord has led you to the desert.!! (Deut 8:2)
The Lord wanted me to share this with you:

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry , ABBA the father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and Co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ( Romans 8:14-17)
May God continue to bless you Mark. Be encouraged and know that God loves you and we are all proud of what your doing.
We hope that you have a good day off. There’s a lake around there somewhere, its beautiful. A nice place to rest and be still with the Lord.
We love you!
The Ross family

Mark,

Thanks for being so honest in your daily blogs and sharing what God is teaching you/us each day.

Precious Jesus, keep Mark and team strong, safe and encouraged today. Give them a another glimpse of you’re glory as they make their way across AZ. Lord thank you for all the resources you have provided for these guys to make this trip. And Father for the kids that this ride will affect, please watch over them, show them Your love through Your people. For Your church, soften our hearts and give us the desire to take action to do Your will for the fatherless…..just as Mark and team are doing now. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Mark and team….”Shake & Bake”!

Chris Muller

Mark, what an insperation you are to so many. We pray for you at dinner everynight as a family.

Press on, you are doing great!!

Hey Mark, for your info, the people who actually live in Prescott, Arizona, pronounce it “Press – kit”. Weird, huh?

Heya Mark,
Way to go. You are doing so well. I am riding with you in pray and spirit. You starting to look a bit red. Sunscreen??? I love the quote your crew made up, I think you should post it, for others to see.

On my desk I have a touched by the angel daily saying calendar, for May 14th, I do seem it fits: God has not given you a spirit of fear, but the power and love. And He has given you a sound mind, a good mind.

May 13th quote, I did not like so much, but it does make sense: Why is it, if you talk to God, you’re praying, but if God talks to you, you’re nuts?

Keep on ridin’
SweetTLC

Mark I sent you a video – I hope you are able to see it. It may help you, give you some more inspiration.
SweeTLC

Many blessings to you, brother, as you continue to journey across this country with the purpose of following God’s will. You have set a very powerful example by living out the truth commanded to us in James 1:27. You have raised the bar to us and have challenged us to not only reach into our pockets for support but to minister to those as well by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are watching you and keeping up with your location. Kansas City is praying for you, too. The local Christian radio is playing your daily soundbites at 4:30 and mentions you in prayer every song of yours they play. ((((HUGS)))) Hang in there and remember this special verse:

But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7

Go Mark GO! You CAN DO IT! I’m praying for you everyday – for strength to make it thru each trek, for good rest and energy for each day, for health and safety.

May God continue to expand your territory beyond what you see (prayer of Jabez). May God continue to bless you in your journey.

YOU WILL MAKE IT TO THE END!! You CAN do it!

Remember, someone is praying you thru – YES, WE ARE!

Amanda (Neonatal RN)

Mark, I have been watching your videos and Ive been telling everyone i know about what you are doing. I am amazed by your strength. I know that I could not ride across the country as you are. And putting on shows too, that is awesome!!! I checked out your schedule on the website, I am really sad that I wont get to see a show. I did see that you will be ending in Portsmouth NH. I would love to be there to cheer you on!!! I cant wait, hope I get to see you! Everytime I watch your videos i get tears in my eyes.
Thank you for being a wonderful Christian!
~Angela (Maine)

Mark,

Just checking in on your Ride for the first time…and way to live your life with eternal purpose, man – to sacrifice and commit for the James Fund!

For those rough uphill climbs: Christ’s strength is made perfect in our weakness…(or weariness!:)…

You’re a hero of mine – I hope to meet you in person some day.

Andy Lehman (good friend of Steve Biondo).

Congratulations, Mark, for making it up Yarnell Hill. Enjoy your day of rest in Prescott (yeah…PRESS-kit). Greet Mark Medlin of KGCB for me. Oh, and enjoy the view from Prescott to Cottonwood and be careful as you go into and out of Jerome–those streets have really sharp turns. Then you have the climb into Flagstaff. Go, Mark, Go!!

Randall, KWRB

Hey, Mark.
I’m sure you know about bikely.com, but if not, check it out. I made a quick map of your route from Wickenburg to Prescott and found that you climbed a total of 5515 ft. in 60 miles. About 20 miles were downhill so that averages to about a 3% grade. That’s an average, so you know some parts were much steeper than that. Just to put that in perspective for everyone, here is what one cycling site has to say about hills:
– 2% grade does not seem very steep, but it’s enough to substantially reduce forward speed, and for most riders it will absorb more than half their power output.
– 6% grade is enough to cut speed to well under half, and absorb more than 80% of a rider’s power output (leaving less than 20% to fight air resistance and rolling friction).
– 10% grade…anyone who is not a fit and frequent rider is off their bike walking — and anyone who is not a racer is reaching for all the extra power they’ve got.
Needless to say, I am impressed. I hope you have a triple chain ring (aka granny gear). Just remember, what goes up must come down!

God bless.

Luke (Ohio)

Suffering…I have been thinking about that alot lately. I used to love riding until last week when I was hit by a motorcycle. I’ve had lots of time too feel sorry for myself. But seeing you out there on these challenging rides, doing it for others, puts it all in perspective! Thanks for giving so unselfishly of yourself for the cuase of Christ! I will be praying for your safety and look forward to cheering you on when you come through Richmond Indiana! God bless!
Jen Hudnall, Centerville, Indiana