Ride Against Traffic Busan-Seoul 2014

Dear Friends and Family,
This is the third year I appeal to you asking for your financial support in a worthy cause "The Ride Against Traffic". Our group's main goal is to bring awareness about human trafficking taking place around the world, issue largely ignored by our society, affecting the most vulnerable, children and women. We also want to support two organizations trying to make a difference in the lives of trafficked women and orphans. Any amount in support of our cause is welcomed. All donations will be 100% transferred to House of Hope (Korea's only restoration center for trafficked women) and Oak Tree Project (college scholarship and mentoring for orphans).

On September 6-10, two groups of riders will be making their way from Busan to Seoul, one will take five days while the other will take three days. I will be participating in the three days group of 11 riders covering approximately 200K (124 miles) per day.
Please support our cause. This 3 day physical challenge does not compare to the potential never ending physical abuse women and children are subjected to on a daily basis by their captors.

Please help me make a difference in the lives of orphans and trafficked women.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me" Matt. 25:35-36 (NIV)

To donate please click http://www.rideagainsttraffick.org/users/Javier-001

Thank you

UPDATE: We have exceeded our original goal of 20 million won! Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed so far. But it's not too late to give! Let's see if we can hit 30 million now!

Details:
Dates: 2014 Chuseok weekend Sep 6-10 (Saturday to Wednesday)
Route: 4 Rivers Cycle Path from Busan to Seoul (riders will take the KTX to Busan, and the bikes will be sent via truck ahead of time). We'll cover approximately 120-135 km per day.
Worship and Prayer: Each night we'll have an optional worship and prayer meeting.  Sunday morning we will have an optional worship service before we depart for the day.
Cost:  Still TBD, but in the neighborhood of 120,000 - 150,000 plus money for meals.
Who:  Anyone who is cleared physically by a doctor to join and willing to train.  Novice to expert levels are welcome.  We are also in need of support crew volunteers.
Sign Up Deadline:  Cyclists and support crew volunteers should contact John Choi (johnchoi80@gmail.com) by June 15th.  After June 15th cyclists will be put on a waiting list.

Objectives:
1. Raise awareness about the injustice of human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, as well as the plight of orphans (high risk targets of pimps/traffickers) in Korea. Awareness is spread through each involved person's relationships, social circles and social networks - there will be daily updates as we bike from Busan to Seoul.
2. Raise funds for House of Hope (Korea's only gospel-centered restoration center for trafficked victims) and Oak Tree Project (college scholarship and mentoring program for true orphans).  We raise funds through our website www.rideagainsttraffick.org
3. Pray for leaders, laws, law enforcement, society/culture perspective, pimps/traffickers, johns, and victims. Pray for justice. Pray for churches and Christians to rise up, live out the gospel in caring for the orphans, marginalized, and oppressed.

Requirements:
1. A road bike or hybrid bike, front and rear lights, helmet. Biking shorts highly recommended.
2. Physical / doctor approval of health
3. Training - Cyclists must commit to ride 20 km 3x a week and to taking one longer ride per week.  We have a group that is already training in Seoul and the Incheon group will start next week.