Andre originally built the trailer for camping and hauling purposes and said that the idea of using the trailer to move back to Grebel occurred to him after he started building it. Andre noted that he was able to carry out this decision because of his chosen lifestyle. “I have a good bike, an appropriate trailer, and a body adapted to biking long distances,” Andre explained. Andre remarked that he has been using his bike for an increasingly large part of his transportation over the last few years.
Andre’s care for creation has inspired his choice to travel largely by bicycle. “My faith in the generosity and love of God the Creator informs a lot of what I am trying to do with my life. Travelling by bike in an attempt to avoid damage to creation is one of those things,” Andre said. “Using my body and mind in this way is an act of gratitude and respect for the gift of the created world and an attempt to show loving care for my neighbours both in space, as they suffer from fossil-fuel-driven wars, and time, as future generations will inherit a polluted world with an altered climate.” Andre’s home church, Hanover Mennonite Church, and the small, unconventional farm that he calls home have also shaped the way that he wishes to care for creation.
What surprised Andre most about the trip was how much physical energy it took to tow the weight of his belongings for almost eight hours. He noted, though, that often the most challenging part of long bike trips like this is setting one’s mind to it. “I think this applies to many changes that we need to make regarding environmental problems: there are many worthwhile things we can do if we will only commit ourselves fully,” Andre remarked. “This wasn’t some kind of isolated, symbolic action, but part of a logical progression in changing my lifestyle holistically.”
The Global Climate Strike is happening on September 27 in Waterloo, and Andre is planning to attend— but with a caveat. “I appreciate a lot of what the strike is aiming to do,” Andre said, “but I feel it also has several problems, including the assumption that individual responsibility and action are not as important for us to focus on as political or regulatory action.”
Andre summed up his actions by concluding, “I don’t think that what I did is particularly special. It’s within the reach of almost everyone. So I would encourage you to look for big steps you can take in your own life. I’ll keep looking for them in mine.”