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Glad to Be Home

The past few days, I've been resting up from the wear and tear of 16,753 miles and catching up on things at home. Today we're visiting our kids in L.A. Look at me in this photo playing with my grandson, Samuel.

I won't forget my multitude of experiences during the past two months of traveling the nation's highways. Imagine--just two weekends ago I was praying over our country in our nation's capital. I especially treasure the friends, old and new, that I had the privilege of visiting along the way. To each of you who hosted me on the big ride, I want to thank you again for your hospitality and help.

Welcome Home!

Friday afternoon John arrived home, accompanied by his cousin Bill (notifying his family by phone that he arrived safely) and our friend John Mitchell, who rode with John on the first third of this marathon.

John will be writing about some of his observations on this blog in the coming days. Thank you all for your prayers, and for following his travels. In total, he covered 16,753 miles!

To see the photo album of capitols, click here. For the map, click here.

By the way, Bill came in second place in his motorcycle race last weekend, winning another trophy for his collection. Congrats!

Hurrah!--The 48th Capitol

After several days with his parents, John drove to Canyon, TX, to meet up with his cousin, Bill. They left early Thursday morning and drove to Santa Fe, NM.

This photo was taken in front of the capitol, known as The Roundhouse. The only capitol built in a round shape, it is modeled on the New Mexico state symbol, the zia. The roundhouse was a traditional structure built by ancient people in Asia and brought to the New World by the original Native American settlers.

Today John and Bill are on their way to Phoenix. Watch this space for a photo of their arrival.

The Homestretch

Only one more state capital to go--Santa Fe, New Mexico. I will go there this Thursday, along with my cousin Bill, who will accompany me from Texas to Arizona. While passing through my home state of Texas, I have taken the opportunity of spending a couple of days with my parents. My dad has some serious health problems and needs your prayers.

I also want to thank everyone who has helped me the past months, especially those who have given me food and shelter and those who have prayed diligently. I look forward to telling you more about my experiences in the days ahead.

Here's the latest map.

"Texas, Our Texas"

Singing the Texas state song, John crossed the state line yesterday from Louisiana to his home state. The night before, he'd enjoyed visiting with the Richard family in Jennings, LA.

By the time he reached the Texas capitol in Austin yesterday, he'd traveled over 600 miles for 12 long hours--one of his most grueling rides. At the capitol he claimed the state for God and prayed for Texans to acknowledge their Creator.

Today John travels to Abilene, TX, to meet up with his cousin Bill, who is also a KLR650 rider. Bill, in fact, rides today in a dirt bike competition in Abilene. I'll let you know if he wins another trophy.

Capitols in the Deep South

The last three days John has traveled over 1500 miles! Last night he stayed with his cousin Norris in Niceville, FL, then left early this morning to arrive at the capitol building in Jackson, MS. After parking in front of the statue to the women of the Confederacy, he took this photo of the magnificent old capitol building.

Riding on to Louisiana, John prayed at the capitol in Baton Rouge, for people of this state beset every year by flooding and hurricanes. They need God's grace and strength to recover.

The Latest Map

Today John prayed at the capitols in Tallahassee, Floria, and Montgomery, Alabama. Here's the latest map. Click on the blue markers to see photos of John at the capitols.


View Larger Map

We're in the Countdown!

John drove 550 miles today to Atlanta, GA, where he prayed for people of the "Peach State" at the capitol shown in the photo. Here's some information about how this state was founded.

Earlier today John prayed in Columbia, SC, which is known as the "Palmetto State," after the state tree. He says that once he crossed into the southern states, he began seeing lots of monuments and statues to Confederate Civil War soldiers.

The best news is that we're in the countdown. The state capitals are separated by long distances, but he has only six more capitols to visit!

Monday's Travels

John spent Sunday night with our friends, the Wilsons, in Washington, DC. On Monday morning, he followed Mike and Linda back to their home in Raleigh, SC. On the way, they stopped off in Richmond, VA, to take this photo at the capitol and to pray for Virginians to set an example in honoring God in their state. Virginia is called the "Mother State" because it was the first state to be colonized.

After arriving in Raleigh that afternoon, John drove down to the capitol building, where he prayed for the lawmakers and citizens of the "Tarheel State." How did the state get this name? Look here.

The Capital of all the Capitals

Today John and a group of friends, including Mark & Jen, Jeff & Elizabeth and Mike & Linda, prayed at the capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Since three of the men were former Marines stationed in either Vietnam or Iraq, the group especially enjoyed visiting military sites. Jeff, who served in Iraq, reports that many of our soldiers there are strong believers.

Mike observed that Washington, D.C. is the "capital of all the capitals," representing all the state capitals, even the two John will not visit (Hawaii and Alaska). This evening John traveled with Mike and Linda back to their home in Raleigh, NC, where he will resume his travels tomorrow. Thank you to all the Wilson family and friends who put John up in your homes and showed him such a great time!

"With Charity for All"

Distances being what they are on the East Coast, John was able to visit three capitals Friday: Trenton, NJ, Dover, DE, and Annapolis, MD. The capitol in Dover is shown to the right.

This weekend John went to Washington, D.C. with friends to pray for our country. The first place they went was to the Lincoln Memorial. You can't help but be awed when you stand before this 19-foot statue of our 16th president. Then when you read the words of his great speeches, you understand the deep faith of this great man. Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 by this memorial?

Following is the famous final paragraph of the President's second inaugural speech, given as the Civil War was drawing to a close:

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

Four Capitals in One Day!

John traveled to the capitals of four states today--New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Although traffic clogs every road, distances are short between capitals.

In Concord, John snapped this photo of a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the capitol. In fact, every state possesses a Liberty Bell, for replicas—crack and all—were commissioned in 1950 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and shipped as gifts to every state. Did you know that on the Liberty Bell a verse from Leviticus is inscribed? Click here to read about this American icon and here to read about the bell now hanging in Philadelphia's Independence Hall.

John has now prayed at 35 capitals. By the way, if you're wondering about the difference between "capital" and "capitol," the capital is the city and the capitol is the building. To see the latest map, click here.

The Point Furthest-Out

Look at the beautiful setting of the Vermont capitol in Montpelier. This morning John arrived there, took this photo and was preparing to pray for Vermonters when he received a phone call. It was John Mitchell, his former fellow traveler on the first third of this marathon. Together they agreed in prayer for John's home state, where his family still lives.

This afternoon was hot and muggy as John drove in unseasonably warm weather to Maine's capitol in Augusta. Along the way he gazed into deep forests interspersed with stands selling maple syrup. He was glad to arrive at the capitol, not only to pray for people of the "Pine Tree State," but also because this is the point farthest out on his trip. From now on he travels in a southerly circle toward home.

John's 29th Capitol

John prayed at his 29th capitol building this morning, having traveled over 11,000 miles so far. The last few days he has stayed with family in Warren, PA, pastor friends in Silver Creek, NY, and Africa missionary friends in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Notice that the New York capitol is not built in the usual classical style, but instead is modeled after the city hall in Paris, known as the Hôtel de Ville.

"Government of the People"

John prayed at the Keystone State's capitol in Harrisburg this morning. Several of our nation's most important documents were written in this state, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. As Christians who revere the religious foundations of our country, we echo President Lincoln's words:

...from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

In God We Trust

John enjoyed his time in Indiana, where he stayed last night with our friend David Brown's mother, Anna. Before arriving at this sweet lady's house in Muncie, he visited the state capitol in Indianapolis and took this photo.

He's been noticing license plates around the state, and in Tennessee as well, like this one:

Twenty-six Capitols

If map does not appear, please click on the title above, "Twenty-six Capitols."


View Larger Map

Revival in the Home State of Daniel Boone?

When you think of Kentucky, do you think of Daniel Boone? Well, he was a frontiersman there, as the legends say, but he was also one of the founders of the state and served three terms in the Virginia General Assembly. John drove through the "Bluegrass State" and visited the capital, where he prayed for revival.

Kentucky was a significant part of the revival that came to be known as the Second Great Awakening at the beginning of the 1800s. You can see what this revival was like by reports of people who were there.

In Nashville

Looking for a little variety in his photos of the capitols, John balances a statue of President Andrew Johnson on his motorcycle helmet. The things bikers do for kicks!

John prayed at the capitol building today, and then went to stay with our relatives in Nashville, Marcus & Holly Robertson and their three children. Marcus is a former pro player and currently assistant secondary coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Bless all of you who have taken care of John on this great trip.

Pit Stop at Donnie Wayne's

John took a pit stop yesterday and today at the home of one of his cousins in Mississippi. Donnie Wayne thoroughly overhauled the motorcycle, changing the chains, tires, oil and everything else. Wow--it should run good for another 8,000 miles! Thank you, Donnie Wayne, for blessing John on his big ride.

America the Beautiful

John tells me he's been singing "America the Beautiful" as he rides across the purple mountains and fruited plains. Look at the second verse of this stirring hymn written in 1913:

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

John prayed for our beloved country yesterday in the capital of Arkansas, "The Natural State." Let's join him to pray "God mend thine every flaw."

The "Show Me State" Shows What It Values

On Monday John prayed at the capitol building at Jefferson City, Missouri. He took this photo of the statue of the Ten Commandments there. Although neighboring states have been forced to tear down such statues in the name of "separation of church and state," the statue still remains there. Will you say a prayer right now that God's Spirit will move on Christians to not only stand firm for the value of public displays of the Ten Commandments, but also to live by these simple laws without hypocrisy?

"The Prairie State"

On Saturday John joined a group of men from Moline Gospel Temple motorbiking to their fall men's camp. At the camp he attended several workshops and enjoyed the teaching of Pastor Burt Smith, guest speaker from The Church of Living Water, in Olympia, WA.

Saturday night John stayed with Paul & Sue Lindblad, Associate Pastors at Moline Gospel Temple, and then after church on Sunday, he drove over to Springfield, to pray at the capitol.

Sunday evening he called me while going for a walk--much needed exercise after riding his bike over 8,000 miles!

John on the Go

Looking Forward

I've been reading today in "the faith chapter," Hebrews 11, where so many of our spiritual grandparents demonstrated their faith by believing what God said. Verse 11 says Abraham "was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." All these people, apparently, were able to obey God here because "they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one" (verse 16). They model a steadfastness for us that we desperately need today, wouldn't you agree? Take a look again at this encouraging passage--it will strengthen you for whatever you are facing.

Yesterday was one of John's longest days on the bike--12 hours! But he prayed at two capitols, in Iowa (whose capitol shown in the photo has a guilded 23-karat dome) and Minnesota (which has an official state mushroom--the morel). Then today he stopped at Madison to pray for Wisconsins (whose motto, by the way, is "Forward").

Tonight he's at our youngest daughter's house in the Chicago area. Gabe and Ana just moved there (and took away our sweet grandaughter Mia). Tonight they're enjoying a Thai feast with our neice Abby, who also lives in the area.

Bold Faith

At Topeka, the capital of "The Sunflower State," John prayed for Kansans to be bold in sharing their faith. He snapped this photo himself by the Lincoln statue there. Tonight he's staying with my uncle and aunt, Roy and Anita Clark, who pastor Grace Chapel in nearby Carbondale.

Following God's Agenda

I made it back home to Phoenix on Sunday night, but John took off today for Oklahoma City. It was overcast at the capital of "The Sooner State" when John prayed for Oklahomans to follow God's agenda for their lives.

"Following God's Agenda" was John's subject when he preached this past Sunday at River Road Fellowship, in Amarillo, TX.

The question is, am I doing what I want to do, or what God is doing?

Here's the latest map

View Larger Map

Our Job Description

Thursday John arrived in his home town of Fritch, TX, where I was waiting for him. We have a few days together before he leaves next Tuesday to continue his eastern U.S. circuit of capitals.

He tells me he's most impressed with the concern to pray for their communities that he sees in the people he visits from place to place. Christians want to see their friends and families--wallowing in their addictions and pains--come to know the Savior who can heal their souls and mend their lives. They also are fearful for their culture, which they see as sliding farther and farther from what is good and right. We must intercede for our country, for, of course, it's in our job description to prevail against "the gates of hell."

If it's Tuesday, this must be Pierre

Yesterday was Bismarck and today was Pierre. Two more capitol buildings in the Dakotas have been visited and prayed over (photos coming later). Now John's hitting the road through Nebraska, dodging the big storm in the area. Today's a good day for you to remember him in prayer, I'd say.

Look at the first verse of this song written by Harley-rider Norm Shroll of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He's a member of Sonlight Foursquare Church, and he calls his tune, "Holy Hogs."

Do you hear that rumble so far away?
It isn’t thunder; the Holy Hogs are riding today.
Men in black riding steel horses;
Riding for God and fighting dark forces.
We ride highways that are dark and roads that swerve;
with our eyes on Him we will not miss a curve.

"They Shall Become My People"

Saturday night John stayed in Greeley, Colorado, with Pastors George and Nancy Cline, and Sunday morning he worshiped with their congregation, Hope Centre. Then Sunday afternoon he drove to Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming to pray for increased fervor of the Holy Spirit in the "Equality State."

Here are some of my favorite words God has said concerning the end times, found in Zechariah 2:11:

Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people.

A Banner is Raised on the Mountains

John and John Mitchell rode southeast from Salt Lake City to Denver to pray at the capitol building of the "Centennial State." Citizens of Colorado chose this nickname because it became a state in 1876. We think of mountains, though, when we think of Colorado, so Isaiah 18:3 is the prayer we pray for the the Christians here:

All you people of the world, you who live on the earth,
when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it,
and when a trumpet sounds, you will hear it.

On Saturday afternoon, John Mitchell began his trip back to Phoenix, with gratitude from John for his good companionship on the first 4,500 miles. Tomorrow I'll be traveling to Amarillo, Texas, to meet up with John as he visits his family later on in the week on his way to the next capital.

Look at this map

View Larger Map

John and John reached Salt Lake City and prayed at the capitol building today. To see photos of them at any of the capitals, just click on the blue markers.

Have You Heard the News?

John and John Mitchell arrived in Boise, Idaho, just at dusk last night and snapped this photo in front of the capitol building. Accompanying them to pray there were Robert and Audrey Stephan, along with their five children. The Stephans, friends of the Mitchell family, are members of Grace Chapel in Boise.

John and John are wearing t-shirts given them by members of the last church where they stopped, Word of Life Community Church in Newman Lake, WA. The logo on the t-shirts includes a verse, Acts 20:24, a great prayer for Christians in places where the two men have traveled:

I don't care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God's great kindness.

Here's the latest map.

Lift up a banner for the peoples!

It was a cold, wet ride from Idaho to Montana and they hadn't seen the sun for three days. But John Rusk and John Mitchell finally rolled into Helena, where they headed straight for the capitol building to pray for the citizens of "the treasure state." Ringing in their hearts were words from Isaiah 62:10, spoken by members of a missions prayer group at Federal Way:

Go through, go through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people;
Build up, build up the highway!
Take out the stones,
Lift up a banner for the peoples!

After praying for "stones" to be removed so that Montanans can come to the banner of the Lord, the two men settled for the night in the home of hospitable members of East Valley church, Tom and Kathleen Murphy.

Five Capitols and counting...

To see a U.S. map showing the capitals John has visited so far, click here. Click on the blue push-pins to see a photo of John at each of the capitol buildings.

Dateline: Salem, Oregon

What do you think of this photo John sent me? Can't see much of the capitol building, huh. This is the kind of pic you get when you hold your camera in front of you and click.

After leaving Salem, John stayed last night with our missionary friends, Bill & Kathy Keiselhorst, near Portland, who ministered in Africa and now attend East Hill. Today John motored over to Federal Way, to visit with Frank & Kathleen Greer, formerly missionaries to Papua New Guinea and now associate pastors at Northwest Church.

John informs me that his big Ride is approximately 1/10 finished!

Prayer at the Third Capitol

Yesterday John and John drove over the mountains from Sacramento to Carson City, where they prayed for Nevadans to be strengthened in their faith and "show others the goodness of God" (1 Peter 2:9).

On their way from Atascadero, California, they had met and visited with two Christian couples returning from the Long Beach port after celebrating their 50th anniversaries with a cruise. Imagine how surprised the bikers and the celebrating couples were to meet again by the roadside in Yuba City two days later!

After resting and visiting with Pastors Rob and Michele Christian of The Rivers in Yuba City, John and John left for Medford, Oregon. It was another hot drive to Medford, but there they stayed with our good friends and fellow former missionaries, Garris and Jan Elkins, who pastor Living Waters.

Sacramento's Capitol

After a chilly beach-side ride up California Highway 1, John, our son-in-law Reuben Jones, and John Mitchell arrived at the capitol in Sacramento on Sunday afternoon.

Here's our prayer for California: "Lord, may the believers in California be examples in word and power, so that their testimony of You spreads to the whole state" (based on 1 Thess. 1:5-8).

Heading North

John, Reuben and John Mitchell left L.A. Saturday for Atascadero, CA. There they met with the congregation at the Father's House, where Tom Gaddis is the pastor. I heard they ate good pizza afterwards with some of the people from the church.

For a map of John's projected route, click here.

Today the Ride Begins

A group of us met on Saturday morning at the capitol building in Phoenix, as you see in this photo. Then today John began the Ride by heading west to L.A. He'll be there a couple of days, then it's on to Sacramento on Friday, with his friend John Mitchell and son-in-law Reuben as riding partners.

Thank you, everyone, for all your encouragement and prayers! Our own prayer is that this Ride will spark renewed passion for God's Great Global Mission all along John's route. Watch this spot for maps of where he goes, and don't worry, I'll keep you posted...

We're in the countdown

Here's John getting his bike ready for the Ride, which officially begins this Saturday. A group of friends and relatives will join us at our state capitol in Phoenix to pray for our state. On Sunday John will speak at our home church. Then he's off on Monday, beginning with a few days in L.A. and on to Sacramento. Feel free to share the address of this blog with anyone you know who would like to follow his travels. (An easy way to do this: click on the tiny envelope with an arrow at the end of this post.)

Look at this map

John's been working on a map for his route, and this is what he's got so far. Notice his purple trail around the U.S. crossing through every continental capital. (Click on map to enlarge it.) From Phoenix, he'll be heading west first, doing the trip in two big loops that have Amarillo, Texas, as their common base. Amarillo, besides being near the middle of the country, is his home region, where nearly all his extended family members live. We're in the countdown stage now--only 19 days to go. Are you remembering him in your prayers?

Great Things

William Carey, who is called the father of the modern missionary movement, has been an inspiration to us. His motto was "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God." Be encouraged in your own walk of faith.

In the photo to the right, I'm standing by a placard in Calcutta bearing Carey's words.

Getting Ready To Ride

I am working hard getting ready for The Ride. I am really happy about getting my new GPS to use on the upcoming trip, but I still have much to do.

Hope you had a chance to look at the photos of my training trip across Colorado. We saw some of the most beautiful country. It was fun seeing how great the KLR 650 performed on pavement and dirt.

Think About It

Look at this quote from Paul, that great missionary in the New Testament, speaking of his life goal. I think he was in “the grip of divine love,” such that he no longer wanted to live for himself, but rather for God. (See this quote in its context at 2 Corinthians 5:14.) What does the love of Christ compel you to do?

"...the love of Christ compels us."

What are YOU doing this summer?

Hey, let me know what's going on with you now. You all know what we're doing--planning for the Big Ride beginning in August. You should see John poring over maps and charts. He's really earning his reputation as "Map Man."

Write me back in the "Comments" section below. I love to hear all your input (thanks, Mom).

John Comes Back from Trip

John roared up with cousins Bill and Donnie Wayne on Sunday night. They were tired but pleased with the trip, having seen prairies, forest, and snow in five short days. They joined the Trans-America Trail in New Mexico, heading west to the Utah border for a 1,564-mile trip. Whew!

But this is just a tune-up for John's long trip in August. Here's a slide show of some highlights. Notice several places where the trail is barred by various obstacles and accidents. See the album here.

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Contribute to our Ministry

Here's a new way to contribute to John's Ride and to The Frontlines:

Frontlines Project

Take a look at the location of one of our projects: a dairy for Thomas Academy, a school for village children in Lucknow, India. (Click on the photo to see more of the album.)

Thomas Academy

He's Off!

Welcome to our blog!

I watched John zoom off today on a 1000-mile motorcycle trip to Colorado. No, this isn't the Big Trip, which starts in August. This is just a practice run--to get familiar with the habits and tricks of the KLR 650. John's travel buddies and mentors on this trip, cousins Bill and Donnie Wayne, have ridden a combined total of 500,000 miles.

Thank you for all your prayers, support and best wishes. Check back here often to keep up with us, or subscribe to this blog (by clicking on the orange Subscribe link below).