Bicycles don’t move that well in sand, but you can find them here in Chad. Many roads are packed well enough that they can be used for transportation and of course they’re much cheaper than a truck or motorcycle. Also, each new paved road brings a greater opportunity to enjoy a smooth ride from point A to point B on your biped.Yet, having a bicycle is a privilege most Chadians can’t afford. Because of this fact and since they really can’t be used for a lot anyway, we’ve never purchased bikes for the kids here in Chad.

For a long time, I wondered if our children would ever learn to ride a bicycle.

That was a silly thought…thanks to loving grandparents and other relatives, the kids have always had a bicycle waiting for them every 2nd or 3rd year we visit the States and a plethora of teachers waiting to instruct them. Nehemiah learned on our 2009 furlough and Grandpa Broten helped Evangeline get the hang of it last summer up in Roseau.

The bicycles were put away again in May and probably won’t be taken out for another three years when the Scooter will be all ready to learn to ride without training wheels. Until then, the kids will rely on their memories of enjoyable bike rides with family members to placate their need for two-wheel speed.