Stamped in Den Bosch

The arrival here, it was the start of one of my dreams: to know another country and another culture. The first thing I thought was: I’m here!!!

Well, when I started knowing other people in Holland I thought, “The people always help me but they have a bubble ”.

I can see the Heavens very near! Everything is very pretty and I feel it’s my place. I only need to learn your language. Now, the only way to communicate, is to speak my little English, and also with my hands and feet.

This time in Holland, now one month or more, I have the feeling that I have to strain every day and it's not easy sometimes. I feel like I can’t do it but thank God, His help, and my boyfriend, one day will I speak Dutch!

By the way, I went to David’s uncle, aunt, and family to cook for them. I cooked ‘poulet a l’orange’. So they told me, “you’re accepted in Holland!”. They liked my food!
Another day, I stamped myself against the floor when I fell from my bike. My knee can prove it! I paid with blood.

Next week, I will look for possibilities to make good use of my free time doing some voluntary work. Let God lead the way. After all, "I will do this! "

Written by: Stella Rivas

All the way to the top

Steven Rooks Classic: as the name recalls, it's a cycling classic in the which 150kms are ridden on the hills of the pintoresque Ardennen, a gourgeous sightseeing area in the south of Belgium. During that ride have I been able to achieve one of my highest records so far. The weather forecast was undesirable: rain, cold, mist and lots of water were the characteristics of such a day. Nevertheless, thanks to a friend of mine whose enthusiasm motivated me to ride despite the weather have we taken the ride and done our best.

152 kms in 5 hours, 10 minutes with an average speed of 29,37 km/h in total

The results speak for themselves. It was no easy task nor was it that pleasant, but due to a remarkable organisation, beautiful chosen roadways and challenging climbs, has it certainly become an unforgetful ride. Thank be to God for granting me such an opportunity. It's hard to understand, but some of the greatest accomplishments are achieved under the most arduous circumstances.

The Results

Success is a choice

The picture you're staring at is the fruit of strenuous work, effort and above all, lots of passion and commitment for what a person believe's in.

For about two years, has it been the longing of my heart to own a bike as good as that one. One week ago, has the accomplishment of that dream become true. All due to God's unfailing faithfullness for me. He provided it at the right moment and at the right time. He grant me a job (a magnificient one), enough amount time, and when I needed it the most, the bike. I am now ready to ride on it. I am prepared to mount those pedals and cruise through roads, pathways and mountains getting every time, a bit closer to those ideal dreams yet so far away from me.

Only by God's grace, lots of support, and steadiness, will this dream be fulfilled. This is not a one man's dream, but a dream which belongs to all of those who together fight and believe that it may become true. You may decide to be successful by truly believing in what you're able to do and devoting yourself to it, or otherwise see the mountains ahead and be discouraged wihout even trying that prusuit at the very sight of it.

The decision lies nowhere else but deep within your heart. My decision to be successful has been made. I've put all my trust in God and stepped off from the safety of the boat into perilous waters searching for answers to the truthfulness of Faith. God led me so far, and I'm deeply grateful for it. I ceaselessly pray and trust that He may lead us all the way through regardless of mishappenings, disappointments or deep failures as what has happened the week before.

A battle may have been lost, but the veredict of this warfare will solely be determined at the end of it all.

Success is not the position you stand, but the direction in which you look.

Keep up your faith,
David.

Peace after the storm

A beautiful sunset at the end of a very tumultuous weekend.

As written on my last story, today would my very first competition of the year take place. However, sadly enough has the story ended up being completely different than longed for due to a series of incidents which at the end of it all, would lead this day of competition to a total failure.

Friday:

After having a delicious pizza and a long chat with a good friend mine, we went together to the marriage of some friends of ours. It was a nice event, the whole place was re-decorated and happily we we’re among our best friends that night. However, at a given moment I saw three of them smoking joyfully together. That image brought uneasiness on me. The friend of mine who not so long ago had ‘quit’ with smoking, was not only smoking again, but both of my ‘non-smoker’ friends were joining him and accepting his cordial invitation to smoke with him. It really frustrated me to see that. I had really hoped he had moved on. Now, he had not only quit on himself and that addiction but he was shamelessly sharing it with others who hadn’t been on that road before!!! At that same night, I met a person with which I have had very good contact before, but after some disagreements and due to a lack of communication with each other, had the relationship been broken. I had never again had the chance to speak to him personally until that night. He asked me how I was doing and after exchanging a few words, the last words I remember from him were “every one goes on his own path after all”. There would be no more caring nor would he watch over me anymore. I had expected too much from him. Nevertheless, those last words cut deep into my heart since he had been an example to me long time ago. That night ended up with disbelief and disappointment towards those whom I appreciated the most. One way or the other, they wouldn’t care less for their own attitude towards those who expect the most from them, but they would only think on themselves...

Saturday:

The Saturday before this one started with a sunny day as well but ended up being completly dark as the night covered the day. I had an appointment with a special friend of mine that day and it went fine until we went together to the youth group. Due to a misunderstanding, had I realized that at the end of it all she wouldn’t even speak to me anymore! Never again, did I have the chance to speak to her personally again; hence, I lost an appreciated friend of mine who’d fill up my lonesome days in the city of Eindhoven. Due to my own lifestyle, it’s really difficult to get to know good friends close to me who’d care. Her loss had a very negative impact on me when I realized that her friendship was gone. Once again a week after that, feeling lonely and a longing for someone who’d care, I felt obliged frustrations of reality's hardships.

This Saturday, I had an appointment with the massagist but to my surprise, all plans had being changed on the very last minute. That way, with no massage, my legs would remain fatigued for next day's competition. In other words, it meant bad news for me.

Sunday, the 1st competition day.

Despite the stress of getting everything prepared for this day, on that very day not everything was under my control. I had no comfortable means of transportation to the competition. Normally, I’d be picked up by a friend of mine, or something would be arranged so that I would make it to the competition. However, I was on my own this day. The competition was 30kms. away from my place so I decided to go on my bike. It would anyhow be a good way to get “warmed-up”. Sadly enough, those words are relative to the weather conditions. That particular day was gray, wet and cold. I didn’t care about it. Having the chance to ride my brand new bike for the first time and after longing so much for this day, had I decided to go to the competition anyway.

I left 2,5 hours beforehand so that I’d be on time. That way, I wouldn’t have troubles getting changed and relaxing before the competition. Those were my thoughts but the situation ended up being completely different. Riding through rain, wind on my head and unclear pathways I got totally lost halfway through. I rode about 10kms extra only to get back on track. Once I finally got to the competition area, there was no competition to be found! Apparently, I had ended up at the completely wrong place! With no one to be found and nowhere a competition to be seen, did I have to accept my defeat and head back home. I had to do so completely wet, cold and certainly frustrated due to the failure of that day...

All you read are negative stories: deception, disappointment, lack of communication, lack of clearness... Why do I write this then? I just want you to learn something:

If you say something, live it! If you promise something do it! Let you YES be YES and you NO be NO! Those three days are the results of peoples who say something and don’t live what they say leaving others in troubles! If you say something, mean it and don’t simply say it because you just ‘feel’ like saying it. It is uttermost painful and frustrating when there is no truth in the words said by somebody whom you trust.

This may be harsh words, but reflect upon it and make sure that you please, never disappoint others the way those whom I relied upon, disappointed me. Thank God, after every storm comes a moment of peace, that picture is a proof of that. I took it on Sunday evening. The Lord was regardless of it all, there to teach me another lesson of life...

Wishing you the very best,
David

Gran Winner!

Dear comrades, mates and family members,

Guess what? I’ve got news! Within a week, this bike is mine! The new and radiant “Gran Winner” model 2006 from Koga Miyata! It is an amazing blessing from God and after a year of struggling and waiting for this blessing, has it finally become true. This dream come true would’ve not been possible without the support and prayers of my dearest friends and people who support my cycling career. Even when I thought it’d not be possible anymore, God lead through and opened door where I thought there were none. This is my story:

With this new blessing, I’m fully motivated to train practically every day. The 2nd of April is my very first competition of the year. My trainings can vary from short rides in dark, cold days, up to a ride of even half a day whenever the weather becomes my fellow companion. The most extreme training so far has been a night training in which I decided to dive into a forest at 22:30 with no moonlight at all! It has certainly been an adventure in itself but I must say that this particular training has a story written on it. After riding 60 km. that day, having given a fitness class at my work, and riding back home late in the evening, must I say that getting lost for about an hour in the midst of the of the Dutch wilderness, where stillness reigns and the tranquility of the forest surrounds you, has been a soul-renewing experience. Being there, in complete harmony with God’s nature let me know what an awesome Creator is our God. I could only adore Him that night, enjoying the peace He had brought into my heart only by being who He is. Praised be the Lord for who He is and his never ending love!

Day after day, I feel stronger. There’s plenty of stuff to be done and I have to be prepared before the second of April. Within a week will I have the new bike with me. That moment, it will be the right time to ride on and glorify the Lord during every single competition I ride!

I thank those who remained next to me and helped me make this dreams come true. Above all, I thank God my Father, Creator, and this time provider for being faithful on me and blessing me with such a beautiful bike to ride upon.

This is everything for now. May the Lord bless you greatly at everything which you do, and remember:

Never give up! Fight the good fight and keep on going on until the longing of your heart has been fulfilled!

God speed,
David.

Destiny...

"I believe a man does what he can...until his destiny is revealed to him".

A wise saying which came out of the film The Last Samurai. Honestly, it touched me deep considering the fact I'm involved with it. I'm practically chasing my destiny as well... I believe God brought me to Holland for a purpose and it's that very purpose the one I'm trying tu fullfil now.

As you may have read already, has this year had a great beginning and things have taken place in an impressive way. I'm now trying as hard as I can to reach my goals. It's no easy way. Every time it's asking more and more of me. This relentless passion of mine thrives me into the sea of loneliness which I fear the most. Every time I make a turn to follow this path, do I have to leave safe ground therefore entering new regions involving new faces and sorroundings along with it. At this moment I feel I'm surrounded by those who appreciate me, love me, and even admire me. However, it's solely me in my room sitting behind the PC writing this lament of mine. Most of them whom I love are out of humane reach. They're not palpable but rather digital words with sentimental meanings behind the electronics of a screen. It's painful because that particular human warmth cannot be transmitted through the radiation of such screens. I miss it... I need it... I long for it...

...the destiny of a man...it can be relative though imperative as well. It can be imperative if you choose to give your all for a certain purpose. Well, how can you deny the imperativeness of a decision when you know that it's for your own best? I've chosen for God's will for me. What can be better than that? It ain't easy as you may realise. Though following Him is no easy task, He grant me a whole new life and a whole new start towards awesome dreams! The most beautiful of it all, is the fact that His will is real. I'm living it and experiencing every moment I live. Otherwise, there would be nothing such as the job I have now, the fact that I can study and sport here, the fact that all doors are open to follow my dreams and make them come true?! So this is my destiny so far, He's revealed his will (destiny?) to me and I'm ready to follow it. It may be lonesome at times, but He's always with me and I know and trust that one day, one unique and special day will I be able to see my loved ones face to face once again. Until then...

I trust you Lord for you know who I am, my pain, my longing and my needs. If you don't grant me something, I know it's not because you forgot me or fainted me but instead, because there's something greater awating for me. My trust and hope lie in You, Amen.

Nieuwe tijden, nieuwe kansen!

In the midst of a renaissance from a new solar calendar, is this the time to give thanks and be grateful to my Creator who broke through the shadows clouding my sight as I strove reaching out to the end of doubt. It's like the end of the tunnel where I hope for that gleaming light welcoming the end of a dark and unclear pathway. It's over, the brume has cleared and once again, do I have the priviledge of enjoying God's glory shine over me.

What did God do for me so far eversince my arrival?
From the moment I touched ground for about two years and a half of constant effort to open ways where they did not exist, do I find myself in the priviledged position of being able to say, "God made ways where there seemed to be none." He cleared the way!!!

* In first place, has He given me a third language, that of my own blood.
* He grant me and unforgetable trip to the place where titans ans gods come from. Hence, giving me the chance to let people know where HE comes from by means of sport. People, Sport and above God in the land where sport was born.
* I was chosen out of about two thousand for a selected group who'd be able to study the science of knowing and healing the human body in a completely natural form.
* A few months later, did I have the chance to become member of a sport center which I believed was way too high for my standards and a dream not to ever come true. I was wrong, God put me in service there allowing me to develop myself toward my sport related goals.
* After a deep campaign leading people to a purpose-driven life and a deep letdown related to the course of my actions due to it, have I learned the valuable lesson of not underestimating reality if faith does not overcome it.
* Nevertheless, have those actions led me as well to the position of leaving everything behind taking a chance in the sportworld as part of it in a fulltime basis from the which my experience and management skills rocketed up high opening new doors broadly for my future sport carreer. Sadly enough, could my life not be set aside for more than 4 months instead of the 1 year planned. Life was calling me to move further on and grasp my dreams once again and not let them go until I'm so far.
* Everything is planned: the time, the chances, the contacts, the trainer, the training team, absolutely everything I needed was now in place, except the essence of it: finances (my weakest point). God proved himself faithful once again to me by granting me a couple of working days helping me to come out of the deep.
* However, a few working days are not enough for covering the expenses of long-term plans. I knocked the door once again, and with no delay God made it open for me in the most unexpectable way: He grant me a job fitting exactly to the longings of my heart. I'm there and the excruciating way to this has finally paid it's toll. Now it's time to move on, and head forwards to the goal!

It's been seven days now from the new calender year and all of a sudden has a every day brought new positive news for me. I've got the facilities, the chances, and capabilities of making these so-longed dreams of mine some day come true. Let's go for it and trust in God who's faithful to make promises true! Praise be to God almighty for His never ending mercy and love for those who seek His presence and His will!!! It's awesome living a life for Him!