Which Way to Lui?

Bethany and I embarked on an adventure early Sunday morning. We had been planning a bike trip to Lui, which is about 14 miles by road from Mundri for a few weeks. Our plans changed though once we heard of the deteriorating road condition. A lot of the road is more like a washboard these days covered in small ridges spanning the whole width of the road. I was also not looking forwad to continually being engulfed by a cloud of red dust when a truck passed. Last minute, we decided to take the shortcut. We had heard of the shortcut, but we didn't know the condition of the path, where it started, or where it let out. Michael gave us the GPS, a satellite phone, and tools for bike repairs along the way, and then we were off.

After crossing the bridge, we started asking people about the path, and some soldiers pointed us in the right direction. We passed through a few compounds where we continued to be directed towards Lui. After about a half hour we were on a clear path with tire tracks from motorbikes that we could follow.



The shortcut was beautiful! We passed under mango trees, through large clearings, over small rock formations, and beside fields being prepared for the rainy season. This month the mango trees are FULL of green mangoes that will be ready to enjoy in about a month. Overall the condition of the path was good, but being the middle of dry season, there were some sections that were covered by 2-3 inches of sand. I wiped out once on the sand as we going down a hill, but continued with only a few scrapes and bruises. After about an hour and 45 minutes we passed through a compound and asked the way to Lui. We got some strange looks, and they told us to keep going straight. We biked a few more feet and realized we had arrived in Lui.

We spent the rest of the day resting and talking with Heather and David at their home in Lui. They are good friends, and I am so thankful for their hospitality and for the wisdom they have to share from 50 years of combined missionary experience.

The next morning we set off back to Mundri on the shortcut, which I think is about 9 miles. We made in back in only one hour and twenty minutes, which is pretty good considering it takes 45 minutes to get to Lui by car on the main road.

I really enjoyed biking to Lui on the narrow wandering path with Bethany. It was a perfect way to enjoy God's creation in Mundri, especially in the early morning before the heat of the day. I am looking forward to biking to Lui again soon.