Home Sweet Home after 1406 Miles

I arrived home safe and sound Thursday afternoon after 1406 miles (the odometer started at .09). So good to be home and to see Nancy and all the Burns family. Thanks for all the prayers for my safety and well being. I had great weather the whole trip and was able to see lots of Oregon and family and friends along the way. I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures. Thanks especially to Janci for doing the blog to keep all interested people informed. Thanks also to all of those of you that have pledged to support the scholarship program at Stayton Christian School.

All For God's Glory

The whole reason for Tour de Faith is to raise funds for tuition assistance at Stayton Chrisitian school. These funds will be used to assist families that desire to give God all the glory even through their children's education.

New Pictures Available

To view the lastest pictures from Poppa J's Tour de Faith, visit http://tourdefaith2009.shutterfly.com/

Phone Call from Crater Lake

9-12-2009

Poppa J called from Crater Lake. He spent the previous night in the campground there, but because he didn't have a reservation, he had to "beg" a bit of space from some of the campers already there.

Lots of opportunities to share about his adventures along the way is a highlight of his trip.

Planning to meet Granna in Sutherlin at an old friend's house on Sunday night, Poppa J is drawing closer to home. Please pray for Granna as she travels on Sunday.

Pictures Available

If you are interested in seeing more of the Tour de Faith through the eyes of Poppa J, please check out http://tourdefaith2009.shutterfly.com/.

Postcard from Boise, ID

Post dated 9-3-09

Dear Janci & Family,

Well, I am in another state. . .Idaho! In another time zone, Mountain Time!! I lost an hour so everything took longer. Every time I check the clock, I have to remember it is behind one hour. I suppose when I get back into Oregon somewhere I will gain an hour back.

Will be in Jordan Valley tomorrow.

Love,
Poppa J

Postcard from Boise, ID

Post dated 9-2-09

Dear Family,

Hope all is well with you! Had a good night at El Dorado Campground last night. No cost and nice facilities.

I got extra water at Unity so I would not have to worry about water. Cattle country can cause the water to not be good and I didn't want to take any chances.

Will be in Ontario tonight and hope to send a disk with pictures.

xoxoxoxo,
Poppa J

Postcard #2 from Unity, OR

Post dated 9-2-09

Dear Janci and Family,

As you might have heard, I changed my route some to avoid gravel. It may add some miles now but I will lose some later as I plan on getting a ride with friends from Jordan Valley to Denio, NV. They will also place some water for me between Denio & Adel. Will be nice to take Sept. 5th off from riding.

I hope all is well.

Love you all,
Poppa J

Postcard #1 from Unity, OR

Post dated 9-2-2009

Dear Students & Staff,

Welcome back to school!! I hope you all learn a lot and are good to your teachers. I look forward to seeing you all on the 24th (of September) so I can tell you about my Tour de Faith. Until then. . .

Poppa J

Phone Call from Idaho

9-2-2009

While in Baker City, Poppa J stayed at a very nice RV campsite and in Unity, OR he roughed it for a night in an undeveloped campground.

Poppa J called from Idaho this evening. He was across the river from Ontario, OR. While in Idaho, he is hoping to catch up with old friend, Dale & Wanda Keim.

Next he will be heading to Homedale and taking some time to visit with his high school track coach. Visiting with family and friends along the way helps to keep away loneliness and boredom.

Technology Issues

Poppa J purchased a new digital camera before leaving on his big trip. Unfortunately, he didn't have any time to play around with it. Therefore, the majority of his first cd of "pictures" actually ended up as videos. Here is an example of Poppa J trying to take a "picture" with his new camera.

Clackamas Lake Historical Ranger Station

Clackamas Lake Historic Ranger Cabin

Letter from Catherine Creek State Park

8-30-2009

Dear Burns Family and Stayton Christian School,

Well, I am 476 miles and 8 days into the Tour de Faith.

I hope that the pictures that I have taken are able to give you some sense of what I have seen. Lots of country and both forest and wide open spaces. I hope to go to a WalMart and have another cd made and will send it as soon as possible. I now have the camera 80% figured out so the batteries won't run down as fast and you will have more pictures.

This is Oregon's 150th anniversary as a State so it seems appropriate that I am touring so much of it.

The other day I was in Hermiston and one of the people that I stayed with said that the potato plant that processes potato's handles 1,000,000 lbs of potatoes per day. That is a lot of potatoes. Oregon agriculture is really a big business. We should all pray that the farmers and ranchers can make it through these hard economic times. (See attached picture of Larry Grames & Dan Brammer, friends that hosted Poppa J for two nights)

May the Lord Bless you all!

Poppa J

(Poppa J had some technical problems with the first two cds of photos that were sent. Keep an eye out for more pictures as they come in.)

Pledges Coming In

Pledges are coming in from all over. Along Poppa J's ride, he has had several friends and strangers pledge towards this fundraising opportunity. Even the postmistress from Antelope, OR has given her financial support. Thanks to all who are giving towards this effort.

Postcard from Pendelton, OR

Postcard dated August 26, 2009

Dear Grant, Lydia, & Riley,

Granna said she was taking care of you this AM. I hope you were being good. I have seen lots of deer, quail, and a few lizards. The country is beautiful and the hills are long and hard. It gives me time to pray for you and your parents and your new baby and for others in church like Dave Halloway & Dale Grimm, and Granna, and your school. Pray for me!

I love you,
Poppa J
xoxoxox

Postcard from Antelope, OR

Post Dated August 25, 2009

Dear Burns Family,

175 miles down and, you do the math, to go. All is well. Will camp at Fossil tonight. Seems appropriate that a fossil should camp at Fossil. Had quite a welcoming part here at Antelope. Must have been 15-20 turkey vultures around the sign!! Hope the picture turns out.

Hug each other for me and know that I love you!

Please pray!

Poppa J
xoxoxoxo

Maupin

Two days ahead of schedule, Poppa J called Granna last night with a message on the answering machine that he had almost reached Maupin and was ahead of schedule. He must have been extra motivated to keep up with and make most of the time with his buddy, Eddy.

. . .and he's off!

. . .and he's off! Headed up Hwy 22, Poppa J and his friend Eddy eagerly head into the rising sun. Look forward to hearing from Poppa J on, at least, a weekly basis.

Kiss Farwell

Poppa J said his farwells to wife, Nancy, with a big hug and kiss.

Grandparents Support Their Grandchildren's School

Poppa J and Granna, aka J and Nancy, are generously matching the pledges in order to support this fundraiser for Stayton Christian School. These funds will be used for the tuition assistance program.

On Your Marks, Get Set, Go!

7:15am on Sunday, August 23rd, Janci Burns, the daughter of Poppa J, arrived to take the official start of the Tour de France pictures. Poppa J was itching to get on the road with friend, Eddy, that he met on last years Biking for Bucks tour.

Tour de Faith Itenerary

Depart Stayton on August 23rd
Timothy Lake to Hwy 26
Shaniko
Antelope
Condon
??? Hwy 84 to visit with the Brammer/Grames Families
Hat Rock State Park
Jet
Union
Catherine Creek State Park
Richland
Hunington
Homedale
Jordan Valley
Willow Creek
Denio, NV
Adel
Bly
OC&E Trail
Crater Lake Jct.
Diamond Lake
Sutherlin to visit Lusby Family
Elkton
Eugene
Sweethome
Waterloo
Return to Stayton approximately on September 17th

If you are going to be in these areas during this time and are interested in catching up with Poppa J or are along his itinerary and would like him to stop by for a visit, feel free to contact Janci Burns at newlywedburns@hotmail.com for more of a dated, detailed schedule.

What is Tour de Faith? And how can you be involved?

Jay Grant, aka Poppa J, is at it again! He is planning another bicycling adventure. This time he will be traveling around the state of Oregon. He will be traveling through towns such as Hermiston, Ontairo, Klamath Falls, Crater Lake, Coos Bay, and Eugene. This trip will be approximately 1500 miles long (over twice as far as his last trip), beginning at the end of August and ending at the end of September. Poppa J will send postcards and correspond with the school to pass on the stories of his adventure which will be shared with the students during chapel each week.

Last year he took a 749 mile bicycling trip that raised over $3000 for the annual fund of SCS. This year the trip will help to raise funds for the SCS tuition assistance program through the generosity of Poppa J and his wife, Nancy’s willingness to match the funds raised by SCS. We are asking that you help us to raise even more money this year in order to assist the families that desire to give their children a Christ-centered education.

Stayton Christian School
189 E. Washington St.
Stayton, OR 97383
Phone: 503-769-7519
E-mail: scselem@staytonchristian.com

HOW CAN YOU BE INVOLVED?

*Pledge the amount per mile that you are willing to donate to SCS.
For example:
1cent per mile @ 1500 miles = $15
(pledges to be gathered upon Poppa J’s arrival at the end of September)

*Give a flat donation