His Wheels International

One "Man's" Dream, another "Man's" Treasure

How many bikes can fit in a suburban backyard? We stopped counting after one hundred. More importantly why are these bikes there? What has always been a passion for me collided with my love for God and became His Wheels International.

Many firsts in my life involved a bike. My dad picked my 1st bike out of the trash. I learned how to ride, and then the next day it broke in half while I was out riding. I’m still picking bikes out of the trash to this day.

At the age of 15 I biked from Portland, Maine to Portland. Oregon. We were gone 42 days, biked 3,600 miles, and averaged 100 miles per day. With my 15-year-old maturity I was ecstatic about the novelty of biking cross-country. But, I’d never considered there might be some rough days on a bike, where riding 100 miles a day would get hard. Whenever I faced hard times I always told myself, “If I could bike cross-country I could get through any challenge life presented.” That line has stayed with me ever since.

I was just getting warmed up. At the age of 16 I rode 3,100 miles from San Diego, CA to Virginia Beach, VA. At 17 I took my first international trip biking England & Scotland. In 1983 I rode a broken down bike while doing mission work in Zimbabwe. I kept thinking, “If I only had a cable and a tool I could have fixed that biked.” Then in 1988, while on a bicycle trip in Israel, I rededicated my life to the Lord in the Jordan River.

My dream was to bike on all 7 continents and all 50 States. By age 30 I’d biked on 4 continents and in 30 states. However, 4 days prior to going on a 10-day 1,000-mile trip, my riding came to a halt with the onset of a disability (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, CFIDS). Since my illness began, it’s been difficult to ride even a mile without trouble, but I’ve learned to be thankful for those miles too. I never knew that the lesson I learned on my first cross country ride would help me through such a difficult challenge.

CFIDS is a mysterious illness, with a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms that worsen over time. The symptoms include every body system, but the characteristic relentless fatigue, joint pain and low grade fever make living a normal life impossible. The word "chronic" means just that-it is an ongoing disability that most patients battle for the rest of their lives.

His Wheels International was born out of my love for bicycles and a simple dinner conversation. In the fall of 2003 I met Reverend John & Carolyn Lutembeka from Tanzania. While visiting around the table I asked, “What could the church do to help your ministry of working with pastors and lay evangelists in Tanzania?” The Lutembeka’s were not aware of my love for biking when they gave their answer. “If every church family donated $100.00, each $100.00 gift would buy a bike allowing a pastor or evangelist to evangelize five villages reaching many throughout Tanzania." Another African leader described how valuable a bike is to ministry in the following way: "Think of all the places you drive your car. What would it be like to walk all those places especially in inclement weather? It becomes very discouraging. So much energy goes into getting to a village which can be up to five or six hours away. The energy could be better spent ministering in the village than spent traveling there."

My brain was charged up as I prayed that night. Since 1997 I’ve regularly prayed, “Lord combine all of who I am in a God-sized way; utilizing my talents, education, interests and love for You.” He challenged me that night to give $1,200, the cost of my custom built road bike to partner with the Lutembeka's ministry in Tanzania by buying bikes and spare parts. The gift was almost three times my monthly income. Some fears and doubts surfaced, which I had to lay at the foot of the cross.

The next day when I delivered the check they were shocked and said, “Do you know how many people will be reached for Christ because you gave?” Expressing their gratitude they quoted from Philippians 4:10-20, "I rejoice greatly in the Lord…It was good of you to share in my troubles…You sent me aid…when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account…The gift you sent…a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Afterwards they prayed for me. “We believe God is going to restore your health this year.” I listened and allowed their faith to believe for me. Having seen 40 specialists over 11 years my faith to believe those words was weak.Over the next 10 days I received all $1,200.00 back. In addition my six-month car insurance bill was paid. Then over the next 5 months the Lord worked through 4 new medical providers to uncover treatable parts to my illness. The restoration of my health has baffled my physician and many others.

Let me read two reports I got back from John in Tanzania. January 7, 2004-“Dear Alice, We continue to thank God for connecting us with you. You are such a woman of faith. We have a lot we can learn from you.Thanks for sharing the vision of His Wheels International with others. It is such a big vision and God will use it to reach millions. Continue to let many know about it and make a follow-up for promises. God is able to multiply the five loaves and two fish.”

January 12, 2005 “Dear Alice, We always remember about you and especially that night when we had ample time to share together our experiences and pray together. It was during that time the vision to assist evangelists in Tanzania was born. The bikes have served the cause of Christ in Tanzania. The evangelists in Dar Es Salaam and coast Region were enabled to reach more villages with the gospel of Christ. Because of the big need to reach more unreached people, two evangelists were admitted in our School of Ministry for training. One bike was given to the evangelist in Zanzibar… We trust the Lord that much has been accomplished by that evangelist. Other bikes were sent to Tanga, Muleba and Karagwe. The report we have is that the evangelists praise the Lord for hearing their prayer for the bikes. They are reaching more people than before. May God bless you for your donation.”

Here’s a follow up from Tracy Goen, a missionary we partnered with to send bikes to Nigeria. With the money for bicycles he purchased basic single speed bikes like the old Schwinns that went to seminary students doing internships with rural and bush church plants. This was done through the Oyi River Seminary in Egbe, Nigeria, where there are about 150 students. It is part of the Evangelical Church of West Africa that has grown out of SIM’s 150 plus years of ministry in this area. He also obtained some three-wheeled hand-pedaled bikes and a Bible for those with Polio in Jos. This program is under the leadership of Tracy’s colleagues.

Nationally HWI has partnered with World Relief to provide bicycles to immigrants and refugees on an ongoing basis. So far bicycles have gone to individuals from Sudan, Ethiopia, Cuba, Burma, Eritrea and Iran. We are also collecting and refurbishing bicycles to take to Katrina victims in New Orleans. This project will occur through a partnership with a local church. In addition bicycles have been given to missionary's home on furlough, international students, ex-offenders, the disabled and the homeless.

I trust this vision will capture your hearts as it has mine. My physician accurately diagnosed His Wheels in the following way, “What a great idea for someone who loves God and biking as much as you do.”

Written by Alice Teisan
May 2, 2006
Bible quotations from New International Version

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