Cyclist's journey raises funds for ZOE

Back in 2017, cyclist Betsy Meenk took to the road and traveled from Arizona to California along US Highway 40, passing through historic places like Oatman, Ariz. along the way. Today, Betsy finds herself cycling as a volunteer for ZOE International, a non-profit organization that aims to rescue children from human trafficking. Since she began working with ZOE International, Betsy has done two events where she cycled from San Francisco to the Mexican border. Recently, Betsy met missionary Jessica Dodd, who works with rescued children in Thailand. As Dodd was in need of help raising funds for ZOE International, Betsy found a mutually beneficial opportunity for the two.

"About a year and a half ago, I decided it would be pretty cool to finish the west coast, so I set myself a personal goal to go from the Canadian border to San Francisco, and that would close that loop for me," said Betsy. "Jessica was needing some help fundraising, so I said, 'Why don't we take this ride I'm doing and make it a platform for you to get the word out?' My personal goal turned into a greater purpose of helping this young lady stay in the mission field. We're raising funds."

Averaging 70 miles a day, Betsy has been traveling the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Chris, driving alongside her. The two are in constant communication, informing each other of turns and deciding on a place to stay for the night. Coming from Santa Clarita, Calif., the two started this journey with Chris driving a 40-foot motorhome alongside Betsy. With the motorhome breaking down in Wesley, Calif., Chris switched to a Jeep, hauling a back-up bicycle across the back. A recent spill over a set of railroad tracks has both Betsy and Chris on "their last vehicle and last bike for another two weeks of riding."

Betsy and Chris fell in love with Cathlamet "as soon as they walked into Hotel Cathlamet." Spending an extra day in town, the two met plenty of locals and walked around downtown before resuming the course for San Francisco. During the journey, which Betsy hopes to complete by Oct. 8, the fundraising cyclist has been logging and chronicling the ride on her Facebook page (facebook.com/betsy.meenk.)

"A bunch of people are calling us and we're telling them along the way what I'm doing here and what Jessica is doing in Thailand," said Meenk. "Our motto is 'road to restoration, going the distance.' I'm determined to do the 1,100 miles, and Jessica is determined to go the distance with these kids who are on the road to restoration."

Describing her friendship with Meenk as an "encouragement," Dodd said, "Watching her ride day after day reminds me that I'm not walking this road of restoration alone...If her fundraiser gets fully funded, it means I'll be fully supported for 2025. That brings so much peace...It's one less thing I have to carry. The work here is long and hard. Helping these children heal from deep trauma and begin to believe that they are loved and valued takes everything I've got. Having Betsy and the community she's rallied behind me allows me to focus on what matters most: walking with these kids as God restores their lives."

Dodd noted she hopes to "keep raising up Thai leaders and parents to disciple this next generation." Sharing her dream "is that every child who comes through ZOE would not just survive what they've been through, but truly thrive in their faith and future," Dodd said, "Knowing that people like Betsy believe in this mission gives me fresh strength to keep pressing on."

For more info on how to donate, visit gozoe.org.