Suffering from a serious case of post-adventure blues, I guess!
And just like that, Freedom Seat has come to an end. Feels weird not to be pedalling, no more GPS tracking of Kindness, and no more people hollering, “Mate, your passenger is missing.”
After 35 days of pedalling with 140 strangers and friends, we have accomplished more than what we set out to do. I completed Freedom Seat at Bluff with Mayor Tim Shadbolt as my 140th passenger, and we raised over $40,000 for the anti-trafficking cause, well over the goal.
This wouldn’t have been possible without your help. Many of you pedalled Kindness with me, and supported me by opening your homes, arranging places to stay, feeding me, listening to my rants over the phone, and being there throughout the journey.
Auckland bound. I decided to drive back, in a free relocation rental car, and catch up with as many people and schools as possible who raised funds and helped pedal Kindness, to say thank you, and that we did it. Lots of time to ponder the journey as I retrace my way back.
I’ve been having extreme fatigue, insomnia, cravings for salty foods, and I’ve been overusing stimulants like caffeine and sugar since completing Freedom Seat. A quick web search revealed it was adrenaline insufficiency. Needed to fix the problem right away before it got any worse, and Taupo Bungy came to my rescue. No adrenaline, no problem: I am living in middle earth, the land of the adrenaline rush. I feel normal now. Whew!
You pedal into someone’s life in weakness and vulnerability, and it’s fascinating to see people open their homes to you. It’s extremely humbling. Is it the bike? Is it my trust? Is it making myself vulnerable? I will never know. But what I know for sure is that people are wonderful wherever you go.
Kindness goes to auction
Kindness is now looking for a new home. Freedom Seat has come to an end, but spreading kindness hasn’t, and it never should.
Kindness helped raise over $42,000 to help women and children who have been trafficked and exploited. Kindness went on an adventure of a lifetime called Freedom Seat. It rode 3,330 km down the length of New Zealand with over 140 people, to raise money for Tearfund’s anti-trafficking work. All proceeds from Kindness go to Tearfund’s anti-trafficking work.
When you bid on Kindness, you’re not just bidding on an epic bike. You’re bidding on adventure, hope and freedom.
The map
I took my map to The Upper Room Church to show everyone what we accomplished together. My church has been my biggest support, and I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to all. Little did I know what was about to happen.
I got on the stage, showed the congregation what we accomplished and unrolled the map. It showed the route and the signatures of most of the 140 people who rode Kindness. A loud “Woah” ensued.
This map was my prized possession after Freedom Seat. Not only did it have the signatures, but also lots of very kind words written all over it. I was hoping to hang it on a wall one day, if and when I have a home.
Soon after I got off the stage, my pastor walked up and asked if I would be willing to sell the map for $2,000 as a donation to Freedom Seat. I was in disbelief and thought it was a joke, but he was dead serious. I said yes with a big grin on my face. Fifteen minutes after worship he came back and said, “The price just doubled. Someone offered another $2,000 donation in return for the map.”
And just like that, a $5.99 map sold for $4,000 in donations to Freedom Seat. With tear-filled eyes, I sat down in disbelief at what had just happened. That $4,000 would help about 80 trafficking survivors get trauma counselling, or give 15 high school scholarships to kids, which would help reduce their vulnerability to being trafficked.
It made me realise that in the hands of God, even a piece of paper can bring hope and joy to so many lives, especially to those who are poor and oppressed. It will be framed and displayed in my church instead. Extremely humbling!
A home for Kindness
I got the most epic news ever for Freedom Seat. Kindness has not only got a great home, but will also be changing people’s lives.
Jamie Allen from Taranaki Retreat bought Kindness. It’s a New Zealand charity for suicide prevention, a safe place to stay when life is challenging, or when time out would give space to breathe. Guests staying at Taranaki Retreat will get the chance to ride Kindness with one of the support team.
Jamie, you are a good man. Thanks for giving Kindness a sweet home. Kia kaha.