How awesome that John & Debbie got to ride with you. What a blessing that they could ride along and encourage you! A big THANK YOU to them! Enjoy the concert tonight. Praying for God’s protection as you ride those curvey roads……stay on your side of the road!!!!

“The Lord will keep you from all harm–He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore!” Psalm 121:7-8

Sarah Netherton - Bekah’s Mom

PS: Hope that you didn’t forget your mom yesterday!

Hey there Mark. So glad that you had John and Debbie riding with you! Thank you for keeping Mark company!!

I shoveled 1 1/2 ton of red lava rock this weekend and am so sore! I thought of you when I was ready to give up on my rock project but kept pushing as I imagine you do as you face those winds head on. I hope that your muscles aren’t as weary as mine I am praying that God comforts your weary muscles and gives you that inner strength that only HE can provide.

What beautiful country you are riding through. God certainly awes me on the beauty that He created.

Stay strong, eat well, laugh a lot and remember we are praying HARD for you!!!

There are orphans that will never know the silent warrior that helped them. I know they will be thanking you and loving on you in heaven.

God bless you brother and keep pushing on!!

The French music playing behind the video was a wildly odd soundtrack choice as images of terra cotta reds and Southwest summer scenes flashed across the screen! It was so out of left field and unexpected–it was PERFECT. I loved it!

Thanks for a great day Mark! John and I really enjoyed meeting you, the pastries at the bakery, and the ride as well. We sure wish we could ride with you on Tuesday into Flagstaff. We will be thinking of you!

Hello Mark, Chuck, Eric, Redwine and Clay,

What a beautiful ride!

I thought Arizona was all flat, brown and dry BUT you have given me a whole new perspective! As a result, I need to ask the State of Arizona for forgiveness as I judged this wonderful state wrongly! From now on, the State of Arizona will be lifted up in my eyes! God bless Arizona! Go Arizona!

By the way, do you know what the state bird is there? Ours in Georgia is the Brown Thrasher. There is that ‘brown’ again!

Okay, I’ll stop now.

The dad of the Casazza’s in Atlanta, GA

Mark this is Jason from Herrin IL 6 miles from Marion IL. I am a 300# bike rider.”Poor Bike” I just finished a 42 mile, June 9th I have a 62 mile and this fall I want to do a 120. This ride you are doing is such a inspiration, words of wisdom and faith that you have been sharing on this blog I hold and Iam making a copy so I can have them on my ride. We are praying for you and can’t wait to see you in Marion again.

Dear Mr. Schultz,
You’ve done it again! You made it past another day!!!! Keep on going. When you feel down and you can’t go on always remember God is right there with you.
“God is our refuge and strength - always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1
God always keeps His promises. He loves you so much that He is never going to leave you. Have a great evening.

Mark,

I’m an advocate for orphans through Life International - (who partners with the James Fund)…and as I see you giving your mental and physicall 100%…

I think of a little orphan boy from Lithuania. His name is Wyatt - he was born with 1 finger on each hand, only 2 toes on each foot, and a cleft lip/palate. Life International was able to help give an adoption matching grant so he could become adopted into a Christian family in California…

Well recently, I received a picture of 6 yr old Wyatt…doing something incredible! - Rock Climbing. Can you imagine it? A little boy with just 1 finger on each hand, and 2 toes on each foot - OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLES!

May this little story encourage you when you feel like you physically/mentally can’t do ride anymore. And… THANK YOU for dedicating this ride to bring orphans to know JESUS CHRIST!…through the James Fund and through folks like Life International!

…for all the other Wyatt’s who need to be adopted & cared for - RIDE ON!!!!!

We are eternally grateful!…

Andy Lehman
Life International - http://www.lifeintl.org

Mark and crew:

As noted by the gentleman from Georgia above, parts of Arizona are strikingly beautiful, both the deserts and the mountains in their own way. Tomorrow will be even more beautiful than your last leg, imho, as Flagstaff is my favorite part of AZ. Look forward to more “straight up” to get there, as Flag is at 7000 ft. elevation (I bet you knew that) and definitely not flat or brown.

Keep the cadence high,

Steve from Templeton, CA

Mark,
Every night I get my bike out and ride around the neighborhood and try to imagine how you must feel on those steep grades. Then I just end up having a slurpy at the C-Stop. Racing those two people today was a great idea, I bet you liked having a little competition out there! Keep up the great effort.
Skins

Way to go, Mark! The Flagstaff leg is going to be tough but from there it should get easier–and flatter (except maybe for the Albuquerque/Santa Fe/Las Vegas leg). Keep on biking! I love what you’re doing for the orphans and widows.

By the way, my eight-year-old learned how to ride her bike yesterday! Hallellujah!!

…and the Arizona state bird is the cactus wren.

Randall, KWRB

Hello Mark and Crew!
It is so nice to see people joining you on your ride, I am sure time passes a little more quickly when you are riding with someone else.

You have such an amazing heart!! I hope you all are feeling our prayers!

Tamee Shea

Dear mark,

Great looking ride yesterday. The created order you are riding through looks stunning and very tough.

Words of encouragement today from Psalm 16: 7,8 - “I will praise the Lord who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken”.

Stay strong.

Oh, another thing I love and repsect about you - you are using your powers to do good. As one with strength, you are using it to defend and serve the weak!

You are getting stronger in many ways!

Love,

Steve Biondo

Mark,
You fed me at the concert last night. My 82 year young mother was there also, and she rocked out with you. Stay strong and focused on your ride. The commitment of your crew also touched me in a big way. Know that you and them will be lifted in my prayers daily. God bless you for your ‘Spirit & Heart’.

Humbly in Love,
Richard F. Johnson

Mark,
I am from Phoenix but drove to “Preskitt” with my friend Arnold last night to help show my support. We hope you recieved our package with the DVD’s and the T-shirt for Esperanza Para Los Ninos. We were able to identify with your words last night regarding the older children in the orphanages in Mexico. As of our last visit in April there were 15 children out of 30 who are over the age of 12. They have never before had children that “old” and praise to God they are able to hang on to them a little longer rather than put them into the streets. They are in need of learning english in order to find work. It is a constant struggle and one we turn over to the Lord. We do not have the resources to get people down there to help them.
I admire all that you are doing in the name of Jesus. Your concert was fabulous and we enjoyed your stories and your wonderful sense of humor. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if you shared some of the peach cobbler with us.
May the Lord continue to bless you on your journey and it is a joy to see that “all glory and honor” is given to Him.

Your sister in Christ,
Andrea

Mark,
You are a true inspiration to us all. You are doing a wonderful thing for those children. I have been on trips to Mexico to go and minister to some of the orphanges and know how you feel when you are driving away and the kids are just looking at you. Myself and my family saw you in concert in Rancho Mirage on the 10th of May it was the first time we as a family went to see anyone who was Christian and it was very inspiring, you were awesome. My husband was the one who had the cell phone and you then had everyone else hold up their cell phones for your song. Let me tell you God has done a true miracle in him. He was a drug addict for over 20 years but then he went into The Victory Outreach Men’s Home in Banning Ca. and God has delivered him from drugs and cigarettes he was in the home for 8 months. So your concert was the first time in along time he has done anything with me and our boys we have four. We saw Jermey Camp the next night so he has been really excited I bought your Cd’s and this is what he listens to in his car so keep up the good fight and may God Bless you and give you strength even when you think you can’t go on anymore. We are praying for you everyday . God Bless you and your crew.
Your Sister in the Lord,
Debbie Gandara Moncada

My husband and I are Jeep enthusiasts - last year we trekked from Phoenix to Prescott, through the Crown King Backroad - very rugged but beautiful country out there! You were in our thoughts and prayers as your journeyed up that long, long climb. Many more hills and valleys to conquer, but you’re never alone. May you be strengthened in body and spirit by the prayers being lifted for you. They will continue to multiply as you continue on your journey for the children. God speed!

Hey mark and crew;

Keep pressing on and pressing in to God.

Looking forward to seeing you in kansas at the end of the month.

Bill

A day of rest - good for you and the team!

Psalm 128 is a blessing on you and the team - and a promise for you.

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.
You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessing and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life”.

Rest well team, be strong, and continue to use your powers for good!

Love,

Steve Biondo

Hey Mark and team- Glad to hear you have a day of rest.

Psalms 62:1
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.”

Rejoice and regroup to continue the journey for the orphans and widows.

May the peace of our Lord be with you!

Your cheerleader and Sister in Christ,

Marilyn Sullivan

The rugged landscrape fits life perfectly. Sometimes we find ourselves on the mountaintop of joys and success, and other times the valley of hardship and disappointment engulfs us. We can take comfort in knowing that as we travel life’s uneven landscape, God’s Spirit is always by our side! Rest well, be renewed.

Mark:
My children are praying for you and pulling for you. You have been such an encouragement to me and my Children during so many times just this past year alone. I’ve had 3 brain surgeries in the last 12 months and I know what it feels like to know that you are exhausted and may not want to go on. Everytime without fail that I got to one of those moments, your music and your DVD was there to encourage me and the kids. My son was just a baby when you came out with “He’s My Son”. He was really sick way back then and he calls that his song.
There is an adoption seminar going on here in Daytona Beach this coming Saturday (19th) sponsored by Embraced By Grace and we are going to see if maybe God wants us to enlarge our family. I was adopted. My birth mother gave away 13 children. I have been lucky enough to find all but 5 of them.
We just feel so connected to your music and your cause. We are praying for you and cheering you on. When I was really sick, I looked for ways to make God real to my Children. Your music really helped me to do that. I know that God will bless your efforts. Keep your eyes on God and your giants will fall. Focus on your giants and you will stumble. Keep pedaling and know that me and my family will be praying for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Annie, Cassidy and Justin Elijah.

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

Dear Mr. Schultz,
May the Lord give you strength today to endure and put His hand of protection upon you. Have a great day.