FIELD TEST: PRIMUS ETAPACKLITE COOK STOVE

I needed to fix myself some supper one night when Pat was away so I decided to see how my little camping stove would work. I had not field tested it yet so thought I’d give it a shot.

I had a bag of chicken flavored pasta that I was going to sample and see if it would be worth taking on the trip. I put two cups of water in the pot and kicked on the burner. This stove was highly recommended on-line and was given very high marks for fuel efficiency (80%) and ease of use. I took about 1-2 minutes to boil the water (faster than our indoor cook stove) and I put in the pasta which only took 7 minutes to cook. I let it sit for a couple minutes, placed the pasta in the larger of the two bowls that come with the stove, grabbed a slice of bread and had a feast sitting on my back porch. Very nice. It was a little more than I would normally eat but it would be the perfect amount during the bike tour. I was impressed with how the stove performed and clean up was a snap. Plus, the pasta was hot even to the last bite. I’ll really enjoy using this stove in the future.

THE TRAINING CONTINUES

Though I’ve planned my bike tour during, what I believe to be, a prime time to ride weather wise, training in the Illinois heat and humidity in the summer stinks. It is so hot! It’s always good to try and get out on the road very early in the morning to beat the heat. There have been a couple 70+ mile rides that I really suffered on because I didn’t do just that. I’m going to actually be trying to cut my training miles back a little unless we experience an unseasonably cool day. I’ve only got six weekends left before I set sail so I have to take advantage of it.

Though cutting back my road miles I’ll try and increase my miles on the rollers indoors. I’ve learned that I’m not real fond of spinning. I don’t have the bike set up with a TV to watch and reading a book is too tricky. The best I can do is just listening to some tunes. That helps a little but I can’t put in near the time spinning as I can on the road of course. Plus there are no cows, clouds or road kill to look at (or smell). I’ll just have to make the best of it and console myself in the thought that before long I’ll be shoving off on the real thing.

THE SUPPORT CREW

L to R: Grandson Landon, daughter Erin, son-in-law Justin, granddaughter Julia, wife Pat, daughter Samantha, dad Mark, daughter Heather, son-in-law Caleb.

Before I ever started planning my bike tour/missions trip/adventure I had to be confident that I would have a great support team back home. I think the longest that I’d ever been away from my family thus far has been about five days maybe, and that’s been a long time ago. Just because I take a leave of absence from home and my normal daily routine doesn’t mean the bills stop coming or the grass stops growing. There’s always plenty to do and life goes on.

My son-in-law Justin will be pretty much watching over four houses while I’m away; his own, my oldest daughter Sam’s, my youngest daughter Heather’s and mine. Thankfully, they are only spread out over a few blocks in the same town and within easy walking distance of each other. I’m confident he can handle whatever might come up with them. And speaking of grass, Pat is no stranger to yard mowing and Samantha’s started mowing her lawn as well. By September, I would hope, the grass growth would start to subside a little.

At work, I have about four people that will help carry my load while away. Hopefully, they won’t do it too well.  They are busy enough with their own work and I truly appreciate them taking on the extra inconvenience my job might cause them.

But, the best support I could ever get is given thru prayers that are lifted up on my behalf to our Heavenly Father. I know that my church family, my immediate family, my extended family in India, my friends and many others have been, and will continue to be, praying for me as I undertake this trip. I don’t take that lightly. Prayers accomplish much when spoken in faith and I’m counting on a strong support group in this area.

Some specific prayer requests would be:
• For my health between now and my return home.
• For protection while traveling on the highways.
• For my finances. Though not buying gas I will need to eat more than normal to keep my engine running.
• For opportunities to witness and pass out tracts. And that the Holy Spirit might convict and speak to individuals thru the message therein.
• That my bike will perform well and that I not have any major mechanic problems.
• For my family while I’m away.
• That only small, slow dogs will chase me and not big, fast ones (I’m serious).
• For the churches that I plan to visit and the ministries that God has blessed them with.
• For the churches that I visit that are without Pastors right now (there’s a couple).
• For Bibles For the World and the ministries that God has blessed them with.
• For Living Waters and the ministries that God has blessed them with.

There are other needs and requests that I’m sure will arise and I will mention those as things progress. But for now my thanks and heartfelt appreciation goes out to all who help support me in so many ways while my journey continues. May God bless all of you!