On the seventh day they shall rest.

We are currently in Missoula, Montana, enjoying our first rest day of the Just & Hope Tour. We are staying in Atonement Lutheran Church in Missoula. After attending the service this morning, many of us went to Kmart to restock on diminishing supplies. Now, some of the team has gone off to see Toy Story 3, while one of the leaders has gone to the airport to pick up the 14th member of our team. James' sister was married yesterday, so he was not able to join us until now.

How can I summarize the first week of the Tour? It has certainly been exciting and tiring at the same time. Much of the scenery has been awe-inspiring. Even outside the window right now I can see snow-capped mountains as the temperatures here get into the 80's. Some of the downhill rides have been exhilarating. The uphills have been long and "never-ending." There have been crashes, but nothing serious. We have eaten more food in a week than some people would eat in a month! We have had the opportunity to share the message of hope for the enslaved four times formally in churches, and numerous other times individually along the roads or at rest stops. We have had a lot of fun together as a team, too.

Sometimes the stretches of road get fairly tedious, and there always seems to be something that is hurting or aching...the legs are a "given," but sometimes we get pains in the neck, shoulders, rear end, etc. Finding a bathroom is always a challenge when the need arises. "Looking for birds" has become the team code phrase for going off to the side of the road. Yesterday, in the little town of Dixon, Montana, a couple of us went into a bar (don't tell anyone) to use the facilities. The men's and women's rooms were labeled "guns" and "holsters." We had to think about it a minute, too. Sorry if I am providing too much information, but sometimes people ask about these things.

We have really met a lot of wonderful people along the way! Most of the time we have been hosted by churches, including ones in Spokane, Washington, Harrison, Idaho, and Thompson Falls, Montana over the last few days. Today after the church service one family has offered to take us all out to dinner tonight! One rule of bicycling: NEVER turn down free food!

Thanks to those who are "following" us and/or praying. We do appreciate it very much. God bless!

Tim