Bike Tour Fundraising Felt Like “a Miracle”

by Heather Wright

For Christeena Nienhuis, raising $10,000 to go on the Sea to Sea bike tour seemed like a daunting task.

The 18-year-old university student from Sarnia, Ontario, has a heart for the poor and desired to be part of the tour. But, she said, “For me, the $10,000 was such a big hurdle. I’m already in debt and it seemed impossible.”

So Nienhuis and her mom, Carolyn, prayed and planned. They talked to people in their church, First CRC of Sarnia. Things started falling into place.

One church member paid for Christeena’s $800 bike, freeing up cash to pay for her plane ticket to Seattle.

But by mid-winter, she still had $4,000 to go. That’s when God showed his power, said Carolyn.

When the day arrived in May for a fundraising garage sale at the church, members filled the hallways with items. The sale raised $1,919.

Another $1,600 came in from a benefit concert that night, and on Sunday morning there were checks in the Nienhuis’s mail box.

In just one weekend, Nienhuis found herself $20 away from her goal. “It was a total miracle how this fell into place,” said Carolyn.

“It was so amazing . . . I was so overwhelmed all weekend,” said Christeena. “Even though it seemed impossible, I knew my church would give, and I knew God would come through.”

Author

Heather Wright
Heather Wright is a freelance writer from Petrolia, Ontario.