Year TWO of our partnership with the Journey of Awesomeness crew is quickly coming to a close! The 200 mile bike ride across the state of Virginia was a complete success and the riders are continuing their campaign through the entire month of July. Last year, the JOA crew raised over $150,000 for clean water wells in Zanzibar. This year, the crew is focusing their efforts on Kenya.
A snippet from this year’s pre-ride address by JOA’s awesome leader, Kevin O’Shea, makes it easy to understand why riders in increasing numbers choose to take on such a personal challenge in solidarity and support for others:
“…Thanks for accepting the invite! it’s much easier not to. When the dust settles we will have raised >$180K, across over 1,100 supporters. Think about that. God in the boat with us. I want no credit for that, because I like Peter am a mess (ask my wife). But the real abundance in my mind that God would have for us is in relationship. As I look around this field and at the support crew, at the early riders who miraculously said, “yeah, IN”, and the FNGs (aka: first-time riders), and all the in-between, I am freaking blown away by massive catch of relationship. Really. Look around. Soooo many people that never knew each other, never liked each other, still don’t really like each other, but we are here together, dropping the nets. Even the fitness levels that have risen over the years as we have pushed out into the deep TOGETHER, amazing. Emmanuel. Thanks again for accepting.”
Kevin’s heartfelt words truly reflect the commitment of this group of guys and gals who are doing everything they can to impact people they may never meet, in places they may never visit. THANK YOU, JOA! We’re excited for what’s to come from your generous hearts and your “absolutely, we can” attitudes.