Although officially retired, Robert Dunn, of Holly, Michigan, continues to teach at Oakland Community and Schoolcraft colleges. But in his spare time, he repairs bicycles to be sent to third-world countries for orphanages and pastors that otherwise would have to walk.

The bicycles are shipped by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). When Robert has about 40 bicycles ready, he calls Jim Lanning, ADRA director of acquisitions at the headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. Jim then schedules Joe Gilbert, an ADRA volunteer, to pick them up.

“This is my sixth trip to Holly to pick up bicycles from Robert,” said Joe Gilbert on his recent visit to Holly. “This load makes 240 bicycles that he has put into good use that otherwise would have been discarded.” Joe explained where some of the bicycles are sent. One orphanage with 144 children might have 10 to 15 bicycles. That means each child waits a long time for a turn. But then 40 more bicycles arrive, and they don’t have to wait nearly so long for a ride.

“The children often have swollen stomachs from malnutrition, and muscles that have begun to atrophy,” Joe said. “Riding bicycles is excellent therapy for all their muscles, but especially for their stomach muscles.”

ADRA recently shipped 80 bicycles to Ghana, Africa, for young pastors leaving the seminary. They sometimes have as many as 10 churches, walking long distances on dirt paths or jeep trails. Fuel there is very expensive, so they can’t afford Land Rovers or Jeeps. In fact, most could not even afford to buy a bicycle, so they are very happy when these donated bicycles make it easier for them to travel from parish to parish.

Robert’s bicycle repairing began when he got a call from Kenny Cole, another member of the Holly Church. Kenny's wife, Dorothy, and some other ladies had an annual fund-raising garage sale, but bicycles didn’t sell very well. The two men came up with the idea that these bicycles could be refurbished and sent to people in less fortunate countries, especially to orphanages and pastors that must travel on foot.

“I get the bicycles from various sources,” Robert explains. “Darrell Burget heads a similar project for the Baptist Church, and he’s been most helpful. They recently sent a shipment to Haiti. We share parts and ideas. Cycle Fit in Fenton also helps. They call me when they get bicycles dropped off that they can’t use, and I pick them up. Members of the community also donate bicycles in need of various repairs.”

Sometimes one bicycle may be a combination of parts from several others. Robert purchases new parts when needed. Joe can put 32 boxed bicycles in his trailer and a few more in his pickup truck, usually totaling 40. He transports them to an East Coast port for shipping.

“God had a plan,” says Joe. “Bicycles are an important part of the plan to restore health in countries that have been devastated by war or natural disasters. This is a way to bring them a little bit of God’s love.”

“We’re working in the Master’s vineyard,” Robert adds, “and we work together to improve life situations in other places.”

Evelyn Lutz is the Holly (Michigan) Church communication leader.