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(Now I can write about the 50-kilometer bike-ride that I did on Friday, October 22, to raise money for our medical/dental mission in the Philippines in 2005.)

At about 11 a.m., I was ready - "dressed up for the occasion!" Thermal underwear, jogging pants, my University of Nebraska red T-shirt, sweatshirt, light fall jacket, my black golf rain jacket, helmet and some protective padding for my bum. It was cloudy and cold, typical autumn weather here in Ontario. I went to my study in the church to check my phone messages.
On my way out, I passed by the church office and saw Marlene, Chairperson of our Official Board, I playfully I asked "Marlene, have you prayed for me?" Knowing me and my brand of humour, she caught on. Laughing, she said, "Not yet. But I will!" Cynthia gathered all the things that we needed for the ride, put them in the van, asked me to pose near the back of the van for a picture and off we went - I was "on the saddle," and Cynthia was following me in our van, with the van's flashers on.


A kind of funny thing happened during the first five kilometers of the ride - I suffered from "hamster's syndrome!" I thought I would not be able to finish the bikathon. I was feeling tired and I could see that I was not progressing well. Cynthia noticed that, too. She knew something was wrong. She said she could see me pedal-pumping hard but the bike was moving very slowly. This was hard. Somehow, the force (or the "voice") that urged me to continue came from seeing "long lines of patients, waiting for several hours to receive medical care during our medical and dental mission in the Philippines on June 25, 2005." I knew I had to finish this bikathon, the money that I would be able to raise would be for our "kapwa Pilipino" in Meycauayan.

I looked like a hamster, doing some king of stationary biking. She overtook me and yelled, "Dad, check your gears!" I pulled over and checked the gears. She was right. The bike was on the wrong gear. After changing to the right gear, it became easier. I was able to bike faster.

Each breath set my lungs afire. When I saw a long stretch of road ahead, I put my head down and hammered my way up. I knew I could give my best. Cynthia was there (in the van). If I would encounter any trouble during that 50-kilometer stretch, I knew she was always ready to help.

I had biked 15 kilometers when I encountered a temptation. I had to fight hard to resist that temptation. I heard a voice from heaven, "Gani, don't give in, resist the temptation and you will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven!" By that time, the condition had turned into a delightful golfing weather and I was passing by Black Horse Golf Course and Resort. There were many people out there, enjoying what appeared to be the year's last round of golf. I almost stopped to play. But there was no way I could let that happen. I could not disappoint my classmates from Meycauayan Institute who have looked upon me to contribute to our medical and dental mission.

Along the way, I saw many, different awe-evoking colours and scenes of autumn. The air was crisp and cool. The sun came out of the clouds. It was bright and a tad warm. Horses, sheep and cattle were out there, grazing. Three dogs barked at me and threatened to bite (or, maybe, they just wanted to race me ... I didn't know!). I even saw "bayanihan" in action. Mennonites men and women working together to build a house. It was quite a sight! And the birds, they were happy , chirping, basking in the sun.

Almost 12 kilometers before the finish line, Cynthia felt "a tug of nature". Blessing of blessings, we were near the house of Joanne, one of her Bible Study friends. She was so happy to see Cynthia. When she found out what I was doing, she gave us $10.00 donation.

It took me three and a half hours to finish the bikathon. Cynthia and I celebrated as I crossed the finish line. Strains from the bikathon would be more than compensated by the generosity shown by my friends, members of the congregation and other supporters. "Wet with sweat" was how I would describe my condition when I got home. Underwear, shorts, shirts, sweatshirts and the inside of my light fall jacket - they were soaked with perspiration.

Several weeks had past and the pains from that punishing 50 km. bike-ride had long been gone but I continue to delight in the thought that many people responded very generously to this project. People who contributed were from Filipino friends from the neighboring communities of Lucknow. Karen, a friend who works in a store in Lucknow, had asked her customers to support the bikathon (some gave $10, others $5, and $2). There were also members of my congregation (businesspeople, teachers, farmers); some were clergy-friends, members of my former churches who became personal friends.

Cynthia’s sisters in the U.S.A. (California and Washington State) also donated. Our family dentist gave $100. A total of $856 (US) was submitted to the class treasurer, Jack Bordador. My congregation, Lucknow United Church, received $350 (Canadian). That is approximately 30% of all the money that was raised during the bike-ride.

It was a delightful experience and, surely, very rewarding when I thought that I was doing it for our Medical/Dental mission in the Philippines. To all of you who supported my cause - thank you very much and God bless you all.


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