Ride Against Traffick 2016
Over the recent Korean Chuseok holiday I helped staff Ride Against Traffick. We had 33 cyclists bike across Korea from the southeast city Busan to the northwest city Seoul. They biked about 550km (340 miles) over four days with many mountains along the path. Along with the riders we had 15 support crew helping along the way preparing the meals, providing bike maintenance, medical support, and other work.
The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness about human trafficking, especially sex trafficking in Korea. In Korea over 1 million women are trafficked (out of a population of 50 million). Some very conservative statistics have 1 in 20 of women in Korea being in the prostitution industry while many groups put the numbers closer to 1 in 8 or even 1 in 7. For orphans, the sex industry is a huge temptation and trap. Orphans are on their own after they graduate from high school and many struggle with loneliness and with finances. For those that get into college the weight of their tuition fees along with their living expenses cause many of them to drop out or become desperate for quick money. Both scenarios have led many orphans into prostitution. I personally know of a number of girls who have fallen into trafficking including one that died this past year after being struck by a man at the motel. For one woman who grew up in a children’s home she shared that all of the girls she grew up with are either in prostitution or are dead. She is the only one with a legitamite job. Trafficking is a harsh reality and the threat is especially great for the orphans.
Something unique about our large group was that we had two girls who were raised in the children’s homes join us for the trip, one as a rider and the other as support crew. Yet if you had looked over all the faces among our group you likely wouldn’t have been able to choose which two were orphans. Both of these girls had a mentor from their children’s home who showed them love over many years and helped reveal God to them. They now love the Lord and are living in good health. We’re proud of them!
We also noticed among our team that there were many different sets of family members participating together. There were siblings, fathers and daughters, married couples, and even kids. One father biked while towing his 7 year old daughter in a cart behind him. Another rider’s wife and four kids came along with us. They didn’t serve on the support crew, but were present throughout the trip. Family was a big part of our trip, and we can see that family is the true answer for the orphans and for those who have been trafficked. A rescued sex trafficking victim might have her physical chains broken, but the spiritual and emotional chains often remain causing many to either return to the work or to commit suicide. They need full healing, and that full healing isn’t instantaneous. The healing comes over time spent with loving people who will be family to them. Family is the answer!
Ride Against Traffick 2016 was especially powerful. It was a short 4 day missions trip across Korea. Here is a video of our ride and below are some pictures documenting the ride…
All of the riders and support crew at the start of the ride in Busan.
Sky’s parents participated as support crew along with Sky and me. Her dad drove the van that provided medical assistance and her mom was the cook for the trip (and an amazing cook at that!). Sky took the pictures and i helped organize/manage the schedule along with a few other things. We had a great time together!
Flat tires were common during the four day trek. There were also broken spokes, broken frames, and other issues among the 33 bikes with our reserve bikes all needing to be utilized. This was no easy ride!
Our riders’ joy was such a blessing. Despite the many mountains, detours, bike issues, and rain on the last day, our riders kept positive and that made for a fun and memorable trip.
Biking into the lunch checkpoint. We had six teams of riders that were set according to their speed preference.
All of the riders and support crew at one of the checkpoints. One of our riders (who made the above video) had a drone that he used here and there during the ride. This checkpoint was at the top of a mountain that had a 5km long incline (that thankfully wasn’t too incredibly steep).
Each night we had some sharing time and some prayer time together.
This included praying for the health of those who felt sick or had body pain from the long ride. 
Here is Team Life atop the mountain on Day 3
Rider Dr. Rata’s wife and four children all drove along with us over the four days. It was sweet having a large, loving family with us.
Another worship shot at night after a long day.
Support crew and friends forming a welcoming tunnel for the riders at their final destination in Seoul. 
The riders coming in to their final destination, Banpo bridge in Seoul.
The welcoming was a powerful moment with some of the cyclists crying and others tearing up from the feeling of finishing the long difficult ride and being welcomed by loved ones. Family is key!
All of our riders and support crew along with friends/family who came out to welcome them at the end of the ride.
Last, if you would like to help fight against trafficking we have another event coming up shortly: Oak Tree Run. It will be held on October 15th, 2016 in Seoul, Korea. For more information please go here: http://www.oaktreeproject.com/news/. If you would like to sponsor some of the runners or kids please go here: http://give.oaktreeproject.com/en/otr2016. 100% of registration fees for runners and 100% of donations will go directly to our scholarship fund for the orphans of Korea. Thank you for your support!
