tion>When Quitting Is Not An Option: My Road to Cycling, a Guinness World Record and Making a Difference
Copyright ©2014 Arvid Loewen and Paul Loewen
All rights reserved
Printed in Canada
International Standard Book Number: 978-1-927355-48-0
ISBN 978-1-927355- 49-7 EPUB
Published by:
Castle Quay Books
Pickering, Ontario, L1W 1A5
Tel: (416) 573-3249
E-mail: [email protected]
Edited by Marina Hofman Willard
Cover design by Burst Impressions
Printed at Essence Publishing, Belleville, Ontario
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the publishers.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Loewen, Arvid, 1956 Nov. 25-
When Quitting Is Not An Option: My Road to Cycling, a Guinness World Record, and Making a Difference/ foreword by David Balzer ; Arvid Loewen and Paul Loewen..
Also issued in electronic format.
ISBN 978-1-927355-48-0
Endorsements
I have known Grandpa Arvid since we were teenagers 40 years ago. We share a common past and country of origin. We were at times teammates on a volleyball team or competed for a spot on the university soccer team. Arvid won. What I remember most is Arvid’s tenacity to overcome the toughest odds. Today he is directing that tenacity to beat the odds of those less privileged, the homeless and the fatherless. If you envision a grandpa’s life in a hammock on a sunny beach, find another book to read. If you want to be inspired to a greater purpose, read Arvid’s story.
Ben Sawatzky
CEO, Spruceland Millworks Ltd.
I was with Arvid at his low point in Death Valley and at his highest in Halifax with a Guinness World Record. His cycling feats are legendary. But for me, his personal sacrifice and the love he has for the Mully children are his greatest accomplishments.
Frank DeFehr
Friend of Arvid
Arvid is a brilliant example of what can happen when passion for a cause becomes priority number one. His book vividly describes the journey he has taken to use his gifts to help “the least of these.” The true story of his transformation from business to full-time philanthropy is remarkable and is an example to all of us. I recommend the book, and I know you will be challenged to rethink your priorities and your personal response to the poverty that confronts each one of us.
Herb Buller
Chairman and president, Buller Foundation
I was moved by Arvid Loewen’s account of what can be accomplished with strong faith and determination. An inspirational read—I recommend anyone to explore these stories of failure, success and hope. Arvid offers a reminder that, despite life’s impressive accomplishments, one’s faith is the most important of all.
Joy Smith
Member of Parliament, Kildonan-St. Paul, Canada
Chair, National Standing Committee on Health
Arvid, as a grandpa, has accomplished feats on a bike that most of us would not even dream of, let alone dare to tackle. Dedicated to living for Christ and helping those in need, his message is an inspiration, clearly demonstrating that age is no barrier when it comes to being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Cindy Klassen
Six-time Canadian Olympic medallist
Every now and then you hear of someone who goes to great lengths, even superhuman, to follow their passion and calling. They use their God-given athletic ability, extreme mental fortitude and extraordinary determination to accomplish their goals. Very few of us can say we have tested ourselves to such a degree. Even fewer of us can say we have done it for a cause outside of our own or family need. Arvid Loewen, grandpa and extreme cyclist, epitomizes such “extraordinariness” for a cause, destitute children in Kenya who live in extraordinary life-threatening situations.
David Unruh
Former international coach, athlete, realtor
We are honored to be able to render our insight in the journey of Arvid Loewen. We, too, have raced alongside Arvid as race officials during some of these endeavours. About 1,700 miles into the race, we found Arvid sitting in a chair beside the car, eating a sandwich. We stopped to inquire about how he was doing. Instead of telling us about the fatigue he was experiencing, Arvid lit up with enthusiasm as he told us of his family that was meeting him on the course. We were blessed with descriptions of them and his ministry to help homeless children. It became apparent that Arvid’s goal was not to just do this event but to use it as a springboard to spread his love for family, children and God. Arvid, you are winning that race! Ride on my friend.
Guy and Stephanie Wells
RAAM 2005–2013
An inspiring story of what Christ can do in a life surrendered to Him. I had the privilege of journeying with Arvid and seeing his compassion firsthand. His son Paul gives us an incredible opportunity to discover what it is that drives Arvid.
Paul H. Boge
Author of Father to the Fatherless: The Charles Mulli Story, Hope for the Hopeless: The Charles Mulli Mission
I am grateful to the Almighty God for giving me and my family Arvid’s dear friendship. Arvid is a source of inspiration to us at Mully Children’s Family and to many around the world. We have been challenged by his incredible commitment to ride his bike through tough circumstances and over incredible distances for MCF. Whenever I have visited him I have been blessed by his determined, prayerful and focused attitude. We are thankful for the privilege of joining with him on some of his races and his special focus on the alleviation of poverty among the needy children of Africa. We cannot forget his beautiful wife, Ruth, for sharing Arvid with our large family. Those of us here at MCF would like to thank Arvid and Ruth and their entire family for their support. We encourage you to read this book—may it challenge you to give yourself for the sake of others!
Dr. Charles M. Mulli (PhD, HSC)
Founder and CEO, Mully Children’s Family
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