This month Dan had the opportunity to participate in a bit of a dream since moving to northern Thailand....riding around northern Thailand on a 135cc motorbike.
The trip's called the 'Ride to End Slavery' and its an annual fun raising and advocacy trip for Destiny Rescue. The trip begins in Chiang Rai where we introduce the work and projects of Destiny Rescue, before setting off for a tour of Destiny Rescue's other projects throughout northern Thailand, Laos and Burma.
Since moving to Thailand, Dan's wanted to take part in the ride. Destiny Rescue graciously gave him the time off work to join the ride and just pay his own costs along the way. As well, he was able to help out with logistics a bit and helping to book the accommodation. And so (as a bit of a consolation gift for turning 30 a few days before...), Dan set off on a 7-day moterbike tour through the roads of northern Thailand.
Originally, the trip was to include visits to Thailand, Burma and Laos. However, on the first-day, Dan and the team had their first set-backs.
Laos wouldn't allow the bikes across the Laos border (they'd had even had to get special permits and passport documentation ready to go). As well, on the first day of the ride, there were 4 moterbike crashes with the riders! One crash even resulting in one of the team members being unable to finish trip due to sore-ness and bruising from the wreck. It was a rough day all around!
They eventually hobbled their way to the closest border town, and unexpectedly found a quiet hostel where the team could regroup. In Dan's own words, he picks up the story.....
'We layed out a map of northern Thailand and basically asked the team of 9 riders- "where do you want to go?" What resulted was likely the best and most memorable ride of Ride 2 End Slavery history.....
The tour took us through lush jungles of northern Thailand, around some of highest peaks in south east asia, Thailand's largest lakes, as well as its most memorable and often hidden locations. We visited Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city, as well as Pai (pronounced Bye), a scenic holiday destination location for locals and westerners alike. Drove through small back-country roads crowded with cows as well as world-class motorbike mountain roads. Went off-roading a few times looking for waterfalls, meandered through crowded local markets, and even got attacked by gangs of monkeys at a buddist temple.
We visited a business-as-mission pizza shop run by some church planters. Amazing pizza, and amazing business- that exists for the sole purpose of engaging with locals about Christ and being a platform for discipleship Christian growth.
As well we had the privledge of visiting Wii's home village and spending time with his family. Wii was our local guide for the trip, and is one of the most valued national staff (his brother, Sagay, is the national director for Destiny Rescue in Thailand- as well as managing the projects in Burma and Laos). Wii's family are subsistence farmers who migrated from Burma a few years before Wii was born. His family are now recognized leaders in their Lahu village and active Christian pioneers, sending missionaries to neigboring villages and into Burma and China. It was a special privledge to meet them, spend time with them, and soak in this local expression of the global church that we would otherwise never have the chance to know about.
We shot Wii's dad's village-made gun- think Civil-war era muzzleloader- as well as his hand-made bamboo cross-bow. We swam in the local swimming hole, and even explored a cave and found a snake (then we left the cave....).
All up, the trip was truly unforgettable. It was an amazing privledge to ride with these guys, experience the wonder of northern Thailand together, and do some really fun stuff. The team of riders grew close together through the ride and were a great fun-lovin group of guys. As well, I had the privilege to 'bunk' with Wii in the places where we stayed and got to really know and love this quality individual and young leader.
I encourage you to get out there and live an adventure once in awhile. Its not always easy taking risks and going for big dreams. Sometimes its alot of hard work. But sometimes it pays big dividends. And sometimes, it even gives you the excuse to ride around on a moterbike for a few days.
Commin next year?
'We layed out a map of northern Thailand and basically asked the team of 9 riders- "where do you want to go?" What resulted was likely the best and most memorable ride of Ride 2 End Slavery history.....
We shot Wii's dad's village-made gun- think Civil-war era muzzleloader- as well as his hand-made bamboo cross-bow. We swam in the local swimming hole, and even explored a cave and found a snake (then we left the cave....).
