Riding across America for poverty

from the Idaho Statesman

Pastor signed up on a whim, and once his congregation found out it got behind him
ELSEWHERE

BY SHAWN RAECKE

Henry Devries, of Kamloops, British Columbia, had never ridden a bike long distance. In fact, he didn't even own a bike that could handle a cross-country endeavor.

But Sunday morning, Devries was among 220 riders taking part in the Sea to Sea Bike Tour, a tour across America to raise money and awareness for global poverty, at a stop in Julia Davis Park in Boise. The trans-continental bike event from Seattle to Jersey City, N.J., is believed to be the largest cross-country bike tour ever, according to event coordinators.

Devries joined other participants in a worship service at Julia Davis Park on Sunday as surprised as anyone to be there.

For Devries, the whole thing happened by accident. One day, while sitting at his computer, he responded to an e-mail as "kind of a joke."

"This message flashed across my screen that said it was the last day to sign up," Devries explained.

Following the links, he signed up thinking that he would just donate the $250 entry fee and that would be that.

"I filled out the entry form and then clicked 'send', " said Devries, a pastor in Kamloops. But after his congregation learned about the cause and how he signed up on a whim, they got behind him and wouldn't let him back out.

"They helped raise the $4,000 so I could ride the first leg from Seattle to Denver," he said. "With family and other commitments at home, it's all I can really afford to do."

So far Sea to Sea has raised over $1.5 million in donations, which will fund initiatives aimed at reducing poverty for individuals, families and communities around the world.

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