The conversation began in 2006 when a group of North American young adults, known as BikeMovment, completed a bike ride across the United States. At that time, they wondered about the possibility of riding bike to Mennonite World Conference in Paraguay for the July 2009 assembly.

Lars Akerson, Harrisonburg, VA, and Jonathan Spicher, Lancaster, PA did more than wonder, they made that conversation a reality. Their bike journey from Harrisonburg, VA to Asunción, Paraguay for the Global Youth Summit and Mennonite World Conference Assembly began January 6. On July 9, six months, twelve countries and 7,750 miles later, their 27-speed touring bikes came to a stop in Paraguay.

 

Zero Emissions Trip to Paraguay Succeeds

The conversation began in 2006 when a group of North American young adults, known as BikeMovment, completed a bike ride across the United States. At that time, they wondered about the possibility of riding bike to Mennonite World Conference in Paraguay for the July 2009 assembly.

Lars Akerson, Harrisonburg, VA, and Jonathan Spicher, Lancaster, PA did more than wonder, they made that conversation a reality. Their bike journey from Harrisonburg, VA to Asunción, Paraguay for the Global Youth Summit and Mennonite World Conference Assembly began January 6. On July 9, six months, twelve countries and 7,750 miles later, their 27-speed touring bikes came to a stop in Paraguay.

Akerson and Spicher interacted with Eastern Mennonite University’s cross-cultural group in Guatemala and various workers from Mennonite Central Committee, not to mention unexpected and hospitable encounters with many locals along the way. Their vision was to listen, learn and serve while living in community relevant to the teachings of Jesus.

At the same time, Akerson and Spicher raised money for AMIGO’s which, in the last assembly in Zimbabwe, set a goal of raising $100,000 for grants to help young adults attend the Global Youth Summit in Paraguay. Akerson and Spicher hoped to raise $30,000 to reach the goal. 

Read more accounts of this adventure and view pictures in their blog.