The folks at Harvest Farm are a special part of the FREEDOM TOUR community.
Each year since 2015, we’ve invited men from the farm to join us on the initial stage of the Front Range Tour. For those who don’t cycle a lot, a 58-mile ride – on a hot day with what could be kindly described as less-than-optimal bikes – would be challenging. For men working toward a new life in their ongoing battle with addiction, making and keeping this kind of commitment represents a big step on the road to recovery.
It wasn’t easy, but every guy who started in Cheyenne finished with us in Fort Collins. I’m absolutely sure the sore backsides and aching muscles will fade. The pride of accomplishing something most thought “impossible” will remain.
2019 presented an extra challenge, as rain on June 22 cancelled Day 1 of the FREEDOM TOUR. I’m grateful to everyone who worked hard and rearranged calendars to re-schedule a week later so we could honor our friends’ courage and commitment. Special thanks to our support team (Phil, Dave, Diana, Pam, Liz) and to Kindra, Amanda, and the farm staff who shuffled about a million details on short notice.
I love sharing a day on the road with these guys, hearing their stories and sharing a bit of mine. I love their honesty, their faith, their willingness to confront past mistakes, and their resolve to move forward into a New Life.
Our word-of-the-day was “New.” New life for men in recovery. New lives of hope and freedom for the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. New friendships and encounters along the road.
New lives as we follow Jesus.