The rest of the world...

If you're reading this, then you know I and many others with me have been diligently riding our bikes for poverty relief the last six weeks.
Our world has shrunk down to the 100+ riders and support crew we've come to know as our temporary family.  We've become friends, become aware of each other flaws and foibles (which are impossible to hide for six weeks), and we've learned to trust each other on the dangerous roads of the journey.  Our world has also shrunk to the small and not-so-small towns we visit each night.
What we tend to lose sight of is the rest of the world.  We keep up with immediate family by phone, while others with real tech connections keep the "world" aware of what they're doing.  But our jobs, friends, and normal-life concerns have faded "out of sight."
So, I want to say thanks to my friends, family, and church family for reminding me and many other riders that you've remembered us while we've been gone.
Seeing the large group gathered in Vriesland as well as the sidewalk art in Jamestown (thanks Konyndyks) was an incredible encouragement to both me and many other riders.  One commented that we must have passed through VanderAwesomeLand.  :-)
More importantly, this morning was a concrete reminder that you've been praying for us too.  From all of us on the road, thank you for those prayers.  Please don't stop!
As riders, we might develop some tunnel vision, forgetting the rest of the world, temporarily.  We're all grateful, however, for those that continue to remember us.