“Can we have a BiciCross (think MotorCross, but with bicycles) event? We can combine with a Drug Awareness teaching, and stores will get behind this. We can charge an entrance fee for participants, and sell hotdogs and pop.” Eliel was talking to Ivanildo several months ago. Here is what it took:
1. Get a printing press to donate posters and flyers.
2. Get the newspaper to print an article raising awareness.
3. Prepare the track in a ravine on our property.
a. Get a company to donate dump trucks and a loader to build the starting ramp and some jumps.
b. Get Ivanildo to smooth down the track, and to water it with our tractor.
4. Get stores to donate a bicycle and two cell phones for prizes.
5. Make some nice trophies out of bicycle chains and wood.
6. Get the police and a huge loudspeaker truck to lead us around town in a parade.
7. Get the TV reporters to film the event and get us on the mid-day news.
8. Pray with the Youth group. Orient starting people and helper people.
9. Get Deanna on the First Aid station.
10. Get Bella and Emma to paint a black and white checkered flag for the Finish Line.
The police were very helpful. Eliel had planned a short ride. The police planned a much longer route, almost 10 kms, through the city and through heavy traffic, all with the humungus speakers blaring away to the tune of a catchy jingle, made up by Eliel’s friends, “Bike races at the Igreja da Vinha today. If you are going to be addicted, get addicted to Jesus. Life is Jesus is more radical!” Emma did an endo when she was fooling around and hit another bike but thankfully there were no serious accidents.
This whole event was to get us known in the city as a group who wants to give hope to young people. A lot of people came through our gates who I have not seen before. Apparently the TV people really spoke well of Igreja da Vinha on the 12 o’clock news.
Here are some pictures of the Bicycle Parade through town.
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