Wrights On A Mission

Divine Appointments Across the Border
Shelby, Montana to Calgary, Alberta

This morning began peacefully as we woke to the gentle sound of doves cooing outside our tent. Melvin laughed and said they had been having a “chirping war” for the past hour. It was a beautiful way to start the day.
We’ve finally settled into a camping routine. We deflated our sleeping pads, packed our gear, and loaded the bikes. Melvin began breaking down the tent while I started breakfast. I was making oatmeal and had one apple left, so I decided to peel and core it to add a little extra flavor.
That’s when our peaceful morning took an unexpected turn.
As I was peeling the apple, the paring knife slipped and plunged deep into my right index finger. I immediately yelled, “Melvin! Grab the first aid kit!” The pain was so intense that I nearly passed out. I had to lie down while a cold sweat and dizziness washed over me. With my finger wrapped tightly in gauze and elevated, I waited for the worst of it to pass. Once I finally caught my breath, I got back up and finished making breakfast.
After breakfast, Melvin completed breaking down camp just as we heard thunder rumbling in the distance. Dark clouds quickly filled the sky. We knew the forecast showed clear weather ahead—we just had to outrun the approaching storm.
We pulled out of camp around 9:00 a.m. and headed toward the Canadian border from Shelby, Montana. Only about 30 minutes later, we arrived at the border crossing. I made it through first and pulled over to wait for Melvin, but within seconds a border agent came over rather sternly, telling me I couldn’t park there and directing me to the designated parking lot. I quickly apologized and moved my bike.
Once we were officially in Canada, we found ourselves riding endless country roads toward Calgary. The scenery was breathtaking in its simplicity—wide open farmland stretching as far as the eye could see in every direction. For hours we rode through the peaceful prairie landscape.
Our first stop was in Bassano, where we were able to share a copy of The Life and Teachings of Jesus with the gas station attendant.
Meanwhile, my finger continued to remind me of my morning mishap. Every time I accidentally bent it or tried using my damaged brake lever, the pain literally took my breath away. I finally improvised a splint using a coffee stir stick and some tape to keep my finger from bending while riding.
Pain or not, we pressed on.
A few hours later we stopped in Vauxhall for drinks and a quick lunch. While inside the store, Melvin struck up a conversation with a gentleman connected with the HAMC community and was able to share a Bible and a gospel tract with him.
We enjoyed leftovers from the previous night’s dinner while sitting outside at a picnic table. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect—77 degrees with a gentle breeze.
The cashier I had met earlier came outside on her break, and we began talking. We shared that we were riding from New York to Alaska on a 66-day, 12,000-mile motorcycle journey with the mission of sharing the Gospel wherever God opened doors. She told us she found our mission inspiring.
Then another one of those unexpected God moments happened.
Melvin suddenly stood up and walked over to a young man pumping gas nearby. His name was Wren, a traveler from Quebec in his mid-twenties. Covered in piercings and speaking English with a French accent, he shared how he had been traveling across the country, living out of his car with two young women who were on their way to go cherry picking.
Melvin and Wren connected almost instantly. Maybe it was the free-spirited, adventurous side they both shared, but before long they were deep in conversation. Melvin was able to share the love of Jesus with him, and by the end of their conversation they had exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch. It was another reminder that you never know who God will place in your path.
After several more hours on the road, we finally arrived in Calgary, where we were welcomed into the home of fellow Christian Motorcyclists Ed and Beth. Their hospitality was such a blessing.
They had also invited Frank and Liz, the Western Region National Evangelists for CMA, to join us for dinner. We spent the evening on their back deck enjoying delicious steaks, dessert, wonderful conversation, and sweet fellowship. We shared stories from our past, talked about what God is doing through this journey, and encouraged one another through the ministry of CMA.
As we reflected on the day, we couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by God’s goodness. Time and time again, He has provided exactly the right people at exactly the right time. Complete strangers have welcomed us like family, opened their homes, shared meals, and encouraged us along the way.
Tonight we thank God for our new CMA family here in Canada and for every divine appointment He continues to orchestrate on this incredible journey.
Our route may be planned on a map, but every encounter is directed by the Lord.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)