Six years later and Joan van der Linde’s “faith-stretching God project,” an offshoot of her Finishing Well Ministry, is a reality. Miss Daisy, a tricycle with a built-in front bench has rolled into Morris, ready to take seniors on rides around the communitiy.
“It is so crazy exciting,” shared van der Linde on Friday evening, following the arrival of the trishaw that morning. “There was just block after block to get here. They told me she would be here by June 30th. She landed in Montreal mid-June and sat in customs until July 11.
“I knew that one day that this tool for the seniors would be part of the Finishing Well Ministry. After 2.5 years of active fundraising, I cannot even explain exactly what I felt today, but I am going to sleep with a very full heart.”
The bicycle comes from Danish company Copenhagen Cycles, which manufactures adapted bicycles to ensure people around the world can ride regardless of age and ability.
Miss Daisy’s blessing ceremony took place at the Stampede Church Service on Sunday, a joint gathering of seven local churches.
“This simple bike has not been so simple [to get here today],” Mark Friesen, van der Linde’s cousin and bike mentor whose own community of Yarrow, B.C. uses similar bicycles in their community, addressed the crowd. “The beauty of this bike is that it allows for the telling of stories. A driver can ask ‘What are some of your favourite things? What sad things have happened to you?’ Age creeps up to all of us.”
Friesen encouraged community members to support van der Linde in this project.
“We need an extension of Joan. Miss Daisy needs a team—keen individuals that love to pedal, that love people. This bike will do exactly what she is meant to do.”
An opportunity to celebrate life’s rich moments, to care, nurture, and appreciate seniors, Miss Daisy’s route is still unfolding.
“A trailer is on back-order and Mark has designed clamps to trailer Miss Daisy. I will focus on Morris as much as I can and expand as we develop this,” said van der Linde of the project. “Through word-of-mouth we are already going to other communities. My auntie in Winnipeg is excited to ride in Assiniboine Park and others are asking about rides in Niverville.”
Van der Linde’s Finish WELL Ministry serves and supports seniors with love and friendship in southern Manitoba with projects and visits in Winkler, Steinbach, Rosenort, Altona, Morris, and Dominion City.
