GETTING READY TO RIDE

POST #3

PREPARATION DAY. We had our first experience of riding bicycles on the roads of India this morning. After assembling our bikes and fitting two bikes for our Indian riders Anand and Joce, two young men from Nagercoil, we toured around the city before lunch. Sunny and in the mid-eighties, the ride was pleasant. I think we are going to encounter more pedestrians and vehicle traffic than I imagined. This is not a problem, just a footnote for how we ride—single-file, in good communication, and carefully. The pace may be slower than anticipated, too, because of these factors along with some rough roads.

DEDICATION AT TSUNAMI YOUTH HOSTEL. This afternoon, we drove three hours on bumpy roads to a youth hostel that was expanded after the tsunami that devastated the south east coast of India in December 2004. Founded and guided by local Free Methodist leaders, the hostel is home to 82 boys and girls whose families were directly impacted by the tsunami. We were honored to be part of the dedication of two new buildings—a girl’s dorm and an assembly hall—that have been build through people who participate in the Free Methodist child sponsorship program. We arrived back at Nagercoil late. We are in great anticipation of our first day of the Nagercoil to New Delhi trek on Saturday.

Here are a few more photos of today's preparation activities...

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