Loewen’s last ride

East Kildonan

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This article was published 31/07/2024 (403 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 20 years of going more than 200,000 extra miles for orphaned and abandoned Kenyan children, Arvid Loewen is hanging up his bike. On July 22, the Guinness World Record-holding grandpa’s cycling odyssey concluded when he crossed his last finish line.

Loewen’s calling has seen him cycle the equivalent of nine times around Earth. He’s biked through Europe, the Americas, and Death Valley, raising $12 million for the children he dearly loves.

Speakers at the conclusion of his final ride wove a story of a man chosen by God for something bigger than himself. Loewen quit work in his 40s to devote himself to Mully Children’s Family (MCF) full-time. Retirement savings were tapped early; it was a leap of faith.

“The point (has) never been the cycling,” son Paul Loewen said. “It’s the story of finding purpose, passion, and making a difference in the lives of thousands of kids across an ocean.”

That purpose sustained Loewen, now 67 years old, through excruciating tolls; accidents, storms, races he couldn’t finish, races he didn’t want to.

Loewen was once hammered by wind and rain in rural Kansas. All he could think about was sleep. Self-doubt crept in as Loewen’s mind justified stopping.

Then he asked himself a question: Can he still ride?

“The answer was ‘Yes,’” Loewen said. “I stayed on the bike.”

Loewen’s visited Kenya many times and knows how far the money goes. Every $3 meets a child’s needs for one day. Over the decades, thousands have given better lives. Legions have graduated from school, many from college.

“I have been to MCF,” Ruth Loewen said. “I have looked into the eyes of a child who previously had no hope and now has hope because of Jesus and Mully Children’s Family. It is an honour to do our part using cycling as a platform to offer hope to the children of MCF.”

Loewen’s legacy extends to family. His children said he teaches them to dream and have a global perspective. He exemplifies sacrificial living. Tears come often as he shares stories about the children, the passion flowing out.

“I wasn’t taught emotion was OK; I was shown it,” Paul said.

“I learned I don’t have to apologize. The uncomfortable emotions are a part of me.”

Arvid Loewen said his job was easy; just bike. Ruth’s commitment made it work.

“None of the last 20 years would have been possible without your support,” Loewen told her.

“Watching your spouse push himself through such extremes would have been very difficult at times. You stood by me, encouraged me and sometimes even pushed me to keep on keeping on.”

Last fall, the Loewens visited six Mully campuses — modern facilities bursting with children. Perhaps thinking about that stormy Kansas ride, Loewen asked Ndondo Mulli when they would stop, when they would have done enough.

She retrieved a picture from her phone. Two children had been abandoned at the front gate late one night. The facility was full. Security asked for direction.

“Please take them in,” Mulli advised.

“He has been a miracle, a gift to MCF for the past 20 years,” Mulli said.

“This man is propelled by love, by wanting to change the world one child at a time.”

Loewen’s last words on July 22 were a call to action.

“For 20 years, I have been on a mission to inspire, motivate and challenge us to ask, ’Can I help?’

“My answer is yes. What is yours?”