Africa beckons, but bikes not quite ready to roll
Whitefish couple say donated bicycles will be shipped to Mozambique in early summer
Bicycles still will make their way from Whitefish to Mozambique, but now Jan and Ron Brunk have a better idea about the challenges before them.
The Brunks, owners of Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish, visited Mozambique in February with one bicycle, a supply of bike-repair tools and a lot to learn about shipping 142 bicycles into a Third World country.
Gauging from their on-the-ground experiences, Ron Brunk last week estimated it will be sometime in early summer when the bikes are shipped.
The bikes are being routed through Seattle on their way to Rolland and Heidi Baker's Iris Ministries orphanage at Pemba, Mozambique.
It should take from eight to 12 weeks for the bikes to arrive, then the Brunks are planning to return to Pemba in September or October to assemble them.
Working with the Bakers, they will distribute the bicycles, set up a bike shop of sorts and train people in Mozambique to work on them.
What is coming to fruition now began with a step of faith just more than a year ago.
During a church conference in February 2005 in California, Ron Brunk said he received a vision to collect and send 150 second-hand bikes to Africa. The Bakers spoke at the conference, and eventually a connection was made.
During summer and fall, the Brunks collected donated bicycles. They and bike-shop employees repaired everything that was sturdy enough, then during the winter they boxed them up for shipment.
They investigated shipping costs and discovered the best route - by rail to Seattle, then by cargo ship to Africa - combined with Mozambique's duty fees would cost about $10,000.
They no more had that kind of money than they had 150 bikes when it all started. But those started coming in from all sources, so they moved forward on faith that the cash will come in, too. Ron Brunk said last week that about $6,500 has been donated. He expects another $1,000 or so to come in from the sale of donated bikes that are not suited for use in Mozambique.
Acting on advice to visit the country to get a feel for logistics before shipping, the Brunks went to Mozambique in February. Besides the bike, they took along medicine, clothing, printer supplies and other items needed at the children's center.
"What we're working on now is setting up for the actual shipment," Ron Brunk said. "Now we understand the challenges before us."
A full description and serial number of each bicycle is being drawn up and mailed this week to Iris Ministries' contact in Seattle.
"Pre-loading documents have to be authorized by the Mozambique government even before you load the container," Ron Brunk said.
They are working out the details of getting bikes from Whitefish to Seattle. They may buy a railroad container for shipping out of Whitefish. The container then could be converted to a storage unit, makeshift bike shop or a bike library in Pemba.
Or they may haul the bikes to Seattle themselves and prepare for shipping there.
As final plans gel, Ron Brunk said they still can accept bicycle donations. High-durability bikes in good condition, preferably 1980s mountain bikes without suspension systems, would be the best.
Tax-deductible donations to cover shipping expenses also can be made through Kingdom Advance, c/o Riverside Vineyard Church, 859 W. Reserve Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Call Brunk at Glacier Cyclery at 862-6446.