We then connected with the historic Highway 66 travelling toward the Arizona Border. What a day – even with the late start and filming along the way - we still clocked up almost 350 miles.
Driving into the setting sun as its orange glow bounces off the rugged desert landscape is beyond amazing – the sky turned nearly every colour until it finally glowed bright red with yellow streaks as if it was on fire. Pulling into the hotel just before the star-filled New Mexico night closed in on us we were thrilled to finally stop riding having been in the saddle the entire day! This was our second night in a hotel - and the only one we’ve had to pay for – God has faithfully provided the rest of our accommodation!
Saturday… We woke up excited and eager to get an early start because we new that we would reach Phoenix - our final destination.
Our goal is to capture the spirit of our adventure as we film, so we progressively look for more and more creative ways to capture what an amazing ride it has been. For example, last night as the sun set we drove back and forth on I-40 with the camera strapped to the back of my bike while Jeff drove into the setting sun behind me, and this morning we decided to rig up our tri-pod to the front of my bike. If you look closely at the pictures you can see the camera in some of them… it worked amazingly well!
To use the camera while driving the bike was a bit tricky. As I drove at speed I first had to stretch forward with my left hand to the very front of the camera and open the lens cover (because I didn’t want bugs splatting against the lens between shots I would close the cover). Next I had to turn the camera on (I would turn it off to save battery power between shots). And finally, I would start it recording, opening the viewing screen to ensure I’m getting a good angle…. All the while driving 80mph… oh… I mean... 70 mph… (especially if you are reading this Julie!)… down the highway with my other hand on the throttle! Crazy yes – but you should see some of the footage I have of driving through the Salt River Canyon and Ft Apache Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona – amazing stuff!
The temperature drops quite a bit at night in the desert so it went from about 40 degrees when we left early in the morning to more than 90 as we drove down into the hot dry valley where Phoenix lies! Phoenix is normally hot this time of year, but they are having record breaking highs every day! So as we drew nearer the city and the temperature kept climbing we were pealing off layers of riding gear at every stop until just our jeans, t-shirt and goggles were left! Now this is the way riding should be - hot air and not a cloud in the sky!!
Saturday evening we made it to the house that Chris Cutliffe – one of our Sowers Club board members - had arranged for us to stay. After getting cleaned up the four of us (Chris, our host, Jeff and I) went out to eat– I think all the effects of the fresh air hit both of us about mid-way through our appetiser so after eating Jeff and I turned in early!
Sunday – Chris let us use his car while we are in the area so for the first time in 5 days we left the bikes behind. There was a little feeling of guilt as we drove out of the drive way and Jeff even said a melancholy ‘good bye’ as we drove off to church.
Church went great! We ministered at In Him pastored by David and Sophia Vasquez. Their church has grown quite a bit over the past two years.
After service we drove through the mountains about 80 miles north to Payson. A sleepy, but nice town – the church we ministered at has been long-time friends and supporters.
Monday morning started early with a men’s meeting for breakfast from 6:30! Then we drove back down the valley and since Monday we’ve met with 8 Pastors to share the vision of Ride of a Lifetime (ROAL) and what we are doing in Manchester and around the world.
The response has been overwhelming – especially in regard to the ROAL next year. One guy we met said his pastor is a former Hell’s Angel and with one phone call he can have 200+ bikes mobilised! God has organised so many divine meetings – we even stopped off at a Harley Dealership and found out the next day that the sales person we spoke with is the Father-in-law to one of the pastors we met!
In addition to meeting and ministry, Jeff and I have been using every chance we get to plan and prepare for the ROAL, in addition to doing office work, emails, writing updates like this one, booking and confirming our schedule for February’s Mission America trip to Phoenix AND on Friday we held our Sowers Club annual board meeting!
Saturday Jeff starts his ride back to Tulsa on my bike while his bike will stay in Phoenix with Chris to be repaired and so Chris can ride it through the winter. Jeff will be visiting churches as he drives back – pray for his safety and for divine favour along the way.
While Jeff is braving the winding roads of Northern Arizona, I’ll be driving to Safford in the South East – Julie’s home town. Sunday morning I’m ministering in the church she grew up in and staying with her parents… I will enjoy that – Julie’s parents are excellent!
Monday and Tuesday I’m back in Phoenix for more meetings as well as spending time praying with some ministry friends of mine who have a heart for missions and youth ministry. Tuesday night I’m ministering in a Scottsdale first Assembly – a 1500 member church. Then Wednesday morning I’m on the plane home to Manchester via Detroit having visited with 29 pastors/churches since the start of my trip!
I’m really looking forward to being home with the kids, Julie and all my church family! God is faithful and there is grace to travel as I’m called to do, but there’s nothing like home!
6 Comments So Far
- Stacey Brown
- Julie
- Pastor Matt
- Kath Peake
- Pastor Matt
- mary beemer
I can’t wait for the movie to come out. Who will play you and Jeff?
posted November 21, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Who will play your wife?????
posted November 21, 2007 at 07:05 PM
I was thinking that Brad Pitt is quite like me… 
posted November 21, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Brad Pitt has nothing to you, Pas. Matt. You’re much better lookin.
posted November 23, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Awhhh thanks Kath! - I think you would be a great addition to the ride! I can see it now! Kath the Biker Gran! Your former scooter days should have prepared you well for it!
posted November 23, 2007 at 12:51 PM
what a ride, pastor Matt and pastor jeff - I especially love the pics that you have posted. I love the commentary - and I think George Clooney with his hair bleached would be a good “Pastor Matt” and Julia Roberts for Pastor matt’s wife” Oh, Dad says that John Travolta for Matt and Tim Allen for Jeff. Dad asks, “Did you see the movie, “the Hogs” ? A bunch of guys riding motorcycles. He laughed all the way through it. I love your new website design. Very Cool!!
love, mom
posted November 25, 2007 at 12:42 AM
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