Sunday in Denver

Happy day, and we were spoiled and treated! Breakfast looked so colourful with all the cyclists in their yellow cycling jerseys getting ready to ride in a prosession together to the rally site, two miles away. It is always a delight to do this, and it gives us a real sense of belonging and achievement, all glory to our Lord who has His hand over this whole amazing tour. At the celebration rally there were many tents of ministries. I found the "Kalahari candles" from Namibia and the Beadwork from Kenya very interesting. The beads are made from rolled up magazines that are glued, varnished and nicely painted. I bought earrings that look like little bicycles, all made of recyclable wire and beads. These are all outcomes of projects run in the third world to get impoverished people to break the vicious and confining cycle of deprivation, and to give them a sense of self esteem and "I can". all cyclists got to ride in a procession around the stadium before we took our places on the bleachers. The band played our theme song "Something beautiful" as we lifted our hearts in worship to the Lord. The music was uplifting. A beautiful program followed, and Gerry Dykstra delivered a good message. The sun baked, and cold water bottles were handed out. Everyone was treated to a nice light lunch of Sloppy Joes and watermelon, chips and cookies. We cycled back and some were bussed into downtown Denver for sightseeing. I enjoyed that much to savour the flavourof the heart of the city, and we came back on the transit system after a couple of hours. Tonight we were again surprized by the wonderful church community here in Denver, with a great dinner of spuds, pork and chicken. Wonderful, enthusiastic, generous and hospitable people here in Denver! The 15 new cyclists were welcomed at peloton and we are looking forward to getting toknow them. This coming week has 6 days of near 100 mile rides, though fairly flat and definately no passes! It is a hard start for the newcomers, as it is going to be hot and long days this week.
I thank you all for your support, prayers and the mail I received here in Denver. It made my day to be loved in such a way! Since I slept on the stage in the gym, I need not break up camp tomorrow and hope to get away early. yes we climbed around 32,ooo vertical feet from Saturday to Saturday, and Mt Everest is only 29,000 feet high! O yes, and I learned that the Oreo cows are Lakenvelders or Dutch banded Guernseys.