A New Perspective, by Addy Albershardt

My name is Addy, and I am a professional cyclist.  I get to travel accross America and the world racing my bike and meeting new people.  I know that may seem very fun and exciting, but to be honest, it does not truely lift me up at the end of the day.  Don't get me wrong, I love to ride my bike, I love the sense of freedom I get when I ride.  It is a time when I feel closest to God, like he is telling me I want you to do this, and I want you to grow a ministry and bring me more followers.  I would not describe the cycling scene as an open place to talk about Jesus Christ.  On Sundays, bike racers spend their mornings racing thier bikes rather than racing to the doors of worship.  Which is why I feel God has placed me here.  People (in the cycling world) have told me that I am selfish, that I live in a fantasy world, and that I have know idea what reality is.  I am called crazy, stupid, and a believer in something that doesn't exist.  I never turn shy from these people, becuase I hear God whispering to me in my ear, "that one, bring her to me!" 

 

I don't care what people call me, or think of me.  This is what I believe in.  I have a greater purpose than just riding my bike, I have a calling to go to Haiti to advance my faith and the Kingdom by loving, serving, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Haitians.  To be honest, I couldn't be more happier to go to Haiti.  I know you will not hear most teens, or even adults, say something like that, but it is true.  I am prepared to understand and respect a different culture.  I am prepared to be emotionally, physically, and mentally chanllenged.  I am prepared to step outside my comfort bubble and go to a foriegn area and work hard to change a child's life, even if I only feed them one meal.  I am prepared for my life to be changed for the better and maybe someone in the cycling community will notice what I am doing.   I am prepared to stop the middle of my racing season, to serve Haitians.  I am prepared to serve God and be like a sponge and absorb while I am there.