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Bill and Dirk Van Gorp decided to turn a love of cycling and passion for mission work into a ministry. Theirs has become an epic journey. The father and son have been cycling the back roads of America for more than six months now, from their home in Lake Placid, N.Y., to the West Coast and back again, traveling more than 10,000 miles and sharing their story along the way. | ||
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THEIR JOURNEY BEGAN DOWN THE AISLE OF THIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
Dirk Van Gorp, father: “And I know that God will bring great blessing to us on this trip.”
DIRK AND BILL VAN GORP LEFT BEHIND THEIR FAMILY - THEIR LIVES - TO CYCLE ACROSS AMERICA, HOPING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF UNITED METHODIST MISSION WORK.
Dirk Van Gorp: “Your mission field might be being a teacher or a youth leader or helping the family next door.”
MISSION WORK HAS BEEN VAN GORP’S PASSION FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS - HELPING BUILD HOUSES IN ZAIRE, REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS IN BOSNIA. HIS SON BILL WORKED WITH RELIEF VOLUNTEERS DURING THE SUMMER.
Bill Van Gorp, son: “You really get the opportunity to be in people’s lives and help them and to help change their lives.”
Dirk Van Gorp: “He has to wait at the top of the hills for me.”
FOR THIS FATHER, THE TRIP WILL ADD UP TO MORE THAN JUST MILES.
Dirk Van Gorp: “The best part is being able to take away a closer and deeper relationship with my son Bill.”
THROUGH SNOWSTORMS AND DESERT HEAT, THEIR TREK HAS BEEN GRUELING - SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES.
Dirk Van Gorp: “After pedaling into a 30 mph wind in west Kansas, and it’s hot, yeah, you really kind of go, ‘This is not such a good idea.’” (Laughs…)
NOW, ALL THAT’S BEHIND THEM - ALONG WITH VISITS TO MORE THAN A HUNDRED CHURCHES IN 26 STATES. THEIR ODOMETERS CLICK OVER 10,000 MILES. HOME IS WITHIN SIGHT.
Bill Van Gorp: “It was great to see all the places we’ve ridden though and be able to put a picture in your mind of a place on the map.”
Group outside church: “There they are!”
SIX MONTHS AGO, THEY SET OUT ON A MISSION OF FAITH. LIKE ANY GOOD JOURNEY, THE GREATEST LESSON CAME FROM WHAT THEY LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.
Dirk Van Gorp: “We’re really cognizant of our blessings. We’ve really come to understand how greatly blessed we are.”
Home Stretch - Tag:
After crisscrossing America, you’d think the intrepid bikers would be ready for a rest, but there’s little time for that. Dirk Van Gorp will get busy on an extended “to do” list from his wife - home improvements and necessary repairs - then he’s off to Ethiopia on a mission trip.
Son Bill goes back to college in the fall and will continue to be involved in his interests - hunting, fishing and snowboarding in the Adirondacks. We don’t know if they’ll ever get on bicycles again.