I hopped on a seat, far too small for comfort…

Written by Rachel - Serving in the United States

One of the exciting things I got to do on my 2025 summer internship with New International / Ends of the Earth Adventures is participate in one of their Christ-centered bicycling events that impact youth globally. The goal of my internship is to be able to answer the question, “What is God calling me to do?” During my 3-month internship, I plan to answer that as I look to see if stepping into full-time vocational ministry is something that God is calling me towards. 

June 5-14, 2025, I rode my bike across the state of Kansas. Yes, you read that right, and trust me, it’s surprising to me too, but anything is possible through God’s strength! I hopped on a seat, far too small for comfort, and began heading east from St. Francis, Kansas, on Saturday morning, and eventually took my last pedal stroke 500 miles down the road in Elwood, Kansas, the following Saturday. This 2025 Kansas Bike Ride for the youth of Uganda was an outreach tour. Which means our cycling tour participated in the Biking Across Kansas (BAK) secular event. This Ends of the Earth Cycling event specifically raised prayers, awareness, and funds for youth in Uganda, through our partners, Frontier Force Youth Ministries.  

Uganda has the world’s youngest population, with over 78% of its population below the age of 30. Youth are the largest unreached people group in Uganda, and they are faced with different significant challenges, like unemployment, early pregnancy, school dropouts, peer pressure, and more.

For the last 10 years, Frontier Force Youth Ministries has intentionally raised many youth workers in both churches and communities who have reached out to young people to help them find joy and purpose in God in four different regions of Uganda. They minister to young people through sports, music, open youth life discussions, and community/school outreach ministries, all with the purpose of helping them live and think like Jesus.

As we rode, we prayed for the youth of Uganda and Frontier Force’s mission. Along this journey, I had the privilege of fellowshiping with other riders on the tour, having conversations about faith, family, friends, and everything in between.  

One conversation stood out to me, though. I was asked one question: “What are you learning from each of the members of the team?” It was at this time that I was able to sit back and reflect on all that I had learned. I took some time to think about all the people on the team that I now had the privilege of working with, and I began to see the wonderful ways we’re all different. I went down the list, person by person, 

Humility

Faithfulness

Trust in the Lord

Emotional availability

Courage 

The thing is, these are all God-given and God-glorifying qualities that are great on their own, but when put together on a team, it’s beautiful to see the work that God can do! This time of reflection was especially life-giving to me as I seek the Lord on what I should do next with my life. 

Speaking of what God can do, a great testament to this fact is the $19,400+ raised to promote and resource youth ministry in Uganda because of the 11 cyclists and 9 support staff who said “YES” to God and participated in this life-changing event. To God be the glory!