On August 10, 2006, four adventure-bound cyclists completed a 3,560-mile trip of a lifetime.  Jamie and Erin Ingram, and Nate and Christie McKelvie left Anacortes, Washington (north of Seattle) June 19 on their bicycles with some simple necessities and a desire to achieve their eastward goal of reaching the Atlantic Ocean.  They ceremonially dipped their rear tires in the Puget Sound, and headed off; what lay before them was simply placed in the Lord’s hands.

      The summer of 2005 brought about increasing discussion between the two couples, all friends from their time at Penn State, about the possible dream of a cross-country cycle tour coming to reality.  While the excitement swelled, so did the common feeling of the need for a greater purpose to be given to the trip.  After deliberation and prayer, the couples decided to raise money for World Vision’s Hope Initiative.  All four cyclists have a heart for children and felt the need to bring awareness and resources to a problem too big to ignore and which often seems a world away from most Americans. 

      The two couples had many memorable experiences on their 53-day trip ranging from riding through Glacier National Park, to close encounters with tornadoes, to fighting through intense heat waves.  But the most memorable have to do with the kindness of others and watching whom the Lord brought into their path.  Ecstatic friends and family greeted them at Highlands, New Jersey, on the beaches of Gateway Recreation Area, as they touched their front tires in the Atlantic just as planned.   

       All the money raised goes directly to World Vision who’s workers will immediately put it to use in AIDS stricken areas of Africa through care, prevention, and education. 

      Why would we ever set out on such an endeavor you ask? According to United Nations estimates, every 14 seconds a child is orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. This means that over 6,000 children everyday join the over 14 million children worldwide who have been orphaned by this disease. Often these children do not have enough to eat, no clean water to drink, no access to proper medical care, they cannot attend school and grow up in an environment of fear and neglect. Without a loving hand to support and guide them, in many cases they must care for sick and dying parents and are left with the responsibility of raising their younger siblings. Yet, through the work of World Vision, there is hope for the future of these children. Your donation, in support of our efforts, can make all the difference in the lives of these children. A little money can go a long way to help! Here are some examples: - $25 can provide an orphan care kit (nutritious food, basic medicines, etc) - $30 can provide basic health care provisions for one child - $50 can provide adult assistance and counseling for a vulnerable child - $100 can help build a home for an HIV/AIDS affected family. Donating through this website is simple, safe and totally secure and is the most effective way to sponsor us.

      Please prayerfully consider sponsoring us! Even if you cannot support us monetarily, please support us through prayer before and during our trip. Many thanks for your support!