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What happened?
I am Bruce Quedley, Regional Director of Open Doors NZ and I led the Open Doors Motorcycle Tour which ran for 17 day on a 4,260 km tour of New Zealand to raise awareness and funds for ministry to the Persecuted Church and to see New Zealand. During this time 16 meetings were held and we participated in 5 church services
Each day a progress report was posted:
Day 17 6/03/2010 As no riders joined Steve, Murray and Bruce on the final leg so a shorter route was selected through Matamata and Morrinsville. Arriving at Drury early the team relaxed before joining the 22 riders Anthony and Redeemed Motorcycle Ministry organised for the final portion of the last leg from Drury along the Southern Motorway/North West Motorway and onward to Blockhouse Bay Baptist. Bruce led the group of bikes and the run finished with afternoon tea prior to the meeting which 63 people attended. Thanks go to Anthony and Redeemed for their support of the tour.
Day 16 5/03/10 The team departed from Gisborne via the Waioweka Gorge through to Opotiki before travelling to Colin's home on Lake Rotoiti for a swim and the meeting at Rotorua Baptist. Five people attended the meeting.
Day 15 4/03/10 The team which now included Bruce's son Colin and a family friend Steve joined the tour on their bikes. The trip from Napier to Gisborne was uneventful but an eyeopener to Bruce discovering the gorges the road in built through. The meeting at Gisborne at Mangapapa Union church was the best attended so far with 28 people.
Day 14 3/03/10 An early rise for Murray and Bruce as they had to book in for the ferry at 5.25 am. Dennis was to cross 2 hours later. The crossing went smoothly and once they reached Wellington the bike was unloaded and the ride continued up the Hutt Valley and through the Rimutakas. The first stop was Soulways Church in Masterton where Rik had organised some lunch for Muuray and Bruce before Bruce spoke to a group who were there for a cooking lesson. Following the meeting Rik and Dave joined Bruce to ride with him on their Harleys to Woodville. Over this stretch the winds rose again but this time was accompanied with some rain. After Woodville Murray and Bruce continued onto Havelock North and the Village Baptist Church. Despite being in competion with the limited overs cricket match between Australia and New Zealand being held in adjacent Napier there was a turnout for the meeting of Open Doors supporters. Also a photographer from the local Havelock North newspaper arrived for some photos to be used in an article about the meeting. Tanks to Village Baptist for hosting the meeting. Dennis left the tour at this point.
Day 13 2/03/10 The team travelled from Christchurch to initially Blenheim at the top of the South Island where Bruce's bike was loaded onto the trailer in preparation for the next day's ferry crossing to the North Island. THe only thing different on the trip up was a grasshopper in Bruce's helmet necessiating a stop to remove it. Accomodation was in Picton close to the ferry terminal. The meeting was in Blenheim at Blenheim Elim, again a small attendance. Thanks to Tom for allowing us to hold the meeting there.
Day 12 1/03/10 The relatively short trip from Timaru to Christchurch was made challenging due to a North Wester wind turning up and blew most of the time across the road. Dennis has decided we should rank the wind on the angle you have to ride at so as not to be blow over, he reckoned that wind was a 20 degree wind, and suggested if it ever got to 45 degree to get off the bikes. We arrived in Christchurch ok but Bruce took a wrong turn got lost in the one way system without any maps and arrived half an hour after the others. As Bruce stayed out of town in North Canterbury he was unwilling to take his bike to the meeting as the nor'wester winds built up so that washing on the line was horizontal to the ground, a good 45 degree wind. The meeting at Beulah went well and thank you David for having us there.
Day 11 28/02/10 Spoke at the two churches that are Flagstaff Union, Wakari & Halfway Bush. Had an excellent lunch with Tom & Sue. Left Dunedin a but late and arrived in Oamaru to be greeted by Pastor Pat from Timaru with 11 bikes to escort us back. We left Oamaru around 4.00 and arrived at Connect Community Church in Timaru at 5.01 for a 5.00pm service. Bruce spoke during the service and was well received. A reporter from Timaru Herald/Highcountry Courier interviewed Bruce. Following the service the church had a barbeque which we all enjoyed. Murray & Bruce stayed with long time OD supporters Erle and Bette who look after them very well.
Day 10 27/02/10 On leaving Invercargill we were joined by Murray and Paul, who had pillion Phillip, who had travelled down early on the bikes from Dunedin to join us. We then rode to Gore and to the home of Linda & Joe who rode with us yesterday. At their home we had morning tea and they invited us to Linda's mother's house in Brighton for lunch. Linda & Joe joined the ride and escorted us to Brighton for the lunch appointment. Murray, the bike rider didn't join us and continued home. After lunch OD's Murray returned to Milton to stay with some friends and Paul & Phillip escorted us to our accomodation with Ian & Jacqui. Riding conditions were excellent with clear blue skies but the wind when riding was quite cool. Had a good meeting at Flagstaff Union.
Day 9 26/02/10 Left Wanaka by long route through Cromwell as advised Crown Range Road was for more experienced riders. Travelled through cool conditions due to shade covering the road. In Frankton meet Joe & Linda from Gore who had riden to join us. Stopped at their holiday home in Kingston for morning tea before proceding. Stopped again at the garage at Centre Bush which is owned by Linda and Chris, Open Doors supporters, who unfortunately were not available. Their son welcomed us. If anyone is travelling from Queenstown to Invercargill call in at Centre Bush Garage for your petrol and good company. Linda & Joe joined us for fish and chips before leaving for home in Gore where we will call in on the way to Dunedin. Meeting at Southern River Church was attended by 15 who gave a good response. Thanks to Matt and Danny for hosting the night. The cabin accomodation at Top Ten Motor Camp was very comfortable.
Day 8 25/02/10 Left Fairlie for Wanaka through Burke's Pass and Lindis Pass. Stopped at Tekapo, Twizel and Omarama. Good riding but had cross winds agains with a couple of minutes of light rain. Bruce had another incident in Wanaka when a car with four young German tourists indicated to turn right moved to the right and when Bruce started to pass on the left changed their indicator to left turn and immediately turned into Bruce. Bruce wasn't hurt and the bike was unscathed. Carl and Kate hosted us in Wanaka. Thanks Nattalie for being the host pastor. Disappointing numbers attended meeting, we need prayer for much better attendances.
Day 7 24/02/2010 Greymouth dawned overcast and as the tour left it proceded to rain on the way up the western side of the Southern Alps. As we reached higher levels winds were very strong and on a slow corner Bruce was pushed wide onto the loose metal and took a tumble. The bike lost it's screen and is getting to look more like a Harley each day. Bruce received a bruised knee but is otherwise okay and they group continued on to Fairlie. The meeting at MacKenzie Uniting Parsh drew four people who were all Open Doors supporters.
Day 6 23/02/2010 The day dawn overcast and we set off from Richmond heading toward Greymouth on the West Coast. As the day progressed the sun brilliantly broke through but, alas in the gorges and passes we went through the road was in constant shade make ride quite a cool experience, a complete contrast the previous days riding. On arrival at Cobden in Greymouth Bruce was interviewed by the Greymouth Star, the local daily newspaper and an article is due to be published on what we are up to. Eric and Nancy hosted us superbly. The meeting was held in Cobden Anglican and was well attended, making this the largest meeting so far with 17. Comments were made that all Christians should come and be challeneged to do something for their perescuted brothers and sister.
Day 5 22/02/2010 Murray and Bruce left Wellington on the interislander ferry to Picton where they met Dennis who had crossed on an earlier Blue Bridge ferry. The South Island greeted us with no wind and a very hot day with the tar seal melting in some places. We made a good trip to Richmond from Picton and were well looked after by Pat & Robert. That evening a meeting was held in Richmond Baptist who are very supportive of Open Doors work. This was the largest meeting outside the church services so far.
Day 4 21/02/2010 Bruce spoke in the Levin Uniting Church during their morning service and there were a number of people very interested in the bike on display at the front of the church and talked with Murray and Bruce after the service over a cuppa. Murray, Dennis and Bruce left for Wellington at 1.00 pm and arrived safely with better riding conditions. We now have internet service with our hosts Shona & Keith. The evening service at Karori Baptis had a very positive response even with one young man thinking of changing his plans to cycle around NZ so as to inorporate findraising for Open Doors bicycles and motorcycle fund.
Day3-20/02/2010 From New Plymouth we travelled south to Levin via Wanganui, again the cross winds were strong especially on the Rangatiki Plains. Phil & Shona hosted us and the meeting was held at Levin Uniting Church where again lik Cambridge numbers were low, even though an article was published in the local newspaper.
Day 2-19/02/2010 Left Cambridge with overcast weather and thr further we moved down the west coast the cross winds got stronger. Arrived in New Plymouth safely and had were hosted byt Kim. The meeting at St Andrews Presbyterian was attended by 12 and one, a lady fufilled a yearning to have a ride on a bike when I rode her from the church lounge to the front door.
Day 1-18/2/2010 Travelled from the OD Office in Auckland to Cambridge. Riding conditions were good with the occaisional light shower. Dropped into Drury Tires to record a video clip for The Redeemed Motorcycle Ministries website article on the ride event being planned for the on the last day of the tour. Meeting Bridges Church in Cambridge had very low numbers. Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray for good attendances and safe travel for Bruce & Dennis on their bikes and Murray in the support vehicle. PTL that all had safe travel and fantastic accomodation with Murray & Michelle.