The Affero Blog

Freedom Riders

By Rob Harvey in News

05Jul, 2010

Josias on the road.

Meet Josias Hansen. I just friended him on facebook. Josias is currently biking across the U.S. with Venture Expeditions from Seattle to NYC in order to prevent human trafficking. After completing this tour, Josias plans to go work in Thailand to help start a youth center which will provide a safe refuge for at-risk orphans, youth and needy persons. Pretty cool stuff.

More and more riders like Josias are using cycling to raise awareness and financial support for worthy causes at home and around the world. Another rider is Henry Kaestner. Last week I spoke with Henry, who helped found DurhamCares in North Carolina. They engage all Durham residents in crossing boundaries with both time and money in ways that show relationship and ongoing commitment. For instance, 8 Durham leaders are racing their bicycles 24 hours a day for 8 days across America. They are riding as ambassadors for Durham, and to call attention to their city and its great charities for volunteering and investing.

Yet another example is Stop Injustice: 5 Weeks for Freedom. This major awareness and advocacy campaign is organized to support International Justice Mission’s work and give a voice to victims of modern-day slavery and other forms of injustice. A team of ordinary people is giving up 5 weeks to cycle 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad – a route that reminds us that change happens when ordinary people do what they can to stop injustice, that the evil of slavery has been defeated once, and that, together, we can do it again. Would you like to get involved? Learn how here.

Marc recently in Uganda

Affero’s very own Marc and Josh are planning to participate in events like these under the name Team Affero. So stay tuned! We envision hosting entertaining and informative events to broaden our reach as a movement committed to fighting injustice. These events will feature music, celebrities, tour riders and more. I thank God for freedom riders like Josias and Henry who are taking action and mobilizing support for worthy causes and effectively loving their neighbors, whether they be in our hometowns or far-off places like Thailand. You can make a difference too. Will you join us?

Venture Expeditions on a more demanding climb to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa, and to one of the largest the slums of Nairobi with Kenya Children's Fund.

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