By John Kafwanka, writing for ACNS

Tony Lawrence, the Provincial Youth Co-ordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA), is on a 5,000 kilometre tour of South Africa on a 250cc commuter motorcycle to raise awareness and funds for the Project2013 youth project. 

Tony is visiting 20 Dioceses in 30 days, the tour ends on 31st March but in the mean time Tony has to "contend with very adverse weather (very unusual and untimely) and will have to watch out for flooding and hidden potholes." 

Writing on his blog, Mr Lawrence said, "This is not a life long dream I’ve always wanted to achieve. It just happened. 

"The overriding cause is my passion for the emerging generation and that we have to view our young ones differently if we are going to be able to develop them to their full God-given potential.  We have to create an environment which helps children and young people develop holistically with spiritually being it’s core development.

"I do not ride a Harley cruiser, or a BMW 1200 GS Adventure dual purpose bike or a Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa Street bike. Just a Suzuki GW250 Inazuma commuter (Inazuma means “where lightning strikes” – in Japanese)."

Indeed, he has already had to contend with inclement weather, a tortoise and baboons in the road and, at one stop, nowhere to sleep!  

Nevertheless, he has been welcomed by a host of dioceses including Saldanha Bay, Kimberley & Kuruman and Matlosane.

Follow his progress on http://tonyrides5000.wordpress.com/