For 30 days, Pastor Robert Oh rode his motorcycle across America on a solo mission: to raise money for the school his church, Oikos Mission International, began five years ago in Cambodia. Dubbed the Angel Tour, Oh went from Southern California to the East Coast and back, stopping along the way at churches to talk about the 130 children living with leprosy whom Bright Future School sponsors. He managed to collect donations of more than $100,000. He hopes in the end to raise $1 million — a goal that will return him to those highways and byways soon enough.

May 14

About 20 Fullerton Harley club members came out to show support for my trip at Da Som Church of Long Beach, Calif. Brother Howard Kim really did a wonderful job of putting an awesome crew together. CTS TV (Christian Television System TV) decided to do a documentary of my journey and tagged along in the station’s Kia van. Before taking off the next day, we had a nice Mother’s Day celebration at home. For the first time in many months, the whole family got together. My wife Jenny and our kids, Elisa, Patty and Stephen, are so wonderful. I thank God each day for them. They are truly PKs - Precious Kids!

A crew of Harley riders wish Robert well on his journey.

May 17

I rode out my first wind and lightning storm today on my Honda (which I’ve named Jack). As we were taking off from our motel, we saw dark clouds ahead and at that moment, two Harley riders — big guys — came in. I asked, “How’s the storm ahead?” They said they just avoided it and planned not to go anywhere today. When I told them I had to ride through it, one guy shook his head and said, “Good luck!” I think he meant, “Boy, you must be a crazy rider!”

Well, I got wet, and wind was blowing from all directions with magnificent lightning leading the way. When wind hit me from behind and pushed me forward, that’s when it got really scary! It was lots of prayer and male ego that kept me going. About 30 miles into it, I saw a truck on a slower lane splashing tons of water as it passed by. Immediately I knew I was going through a shallow puddle, but it was too late to turn. Bam! I hit the water going about 70 miles an hour and started to hydroplane. I rode it out with a silent scream.  

Robert poses at the Grand Canyon with members of the Christian Television System crew who were documenting his journey.

By the time we hit Flagstaff, Ariz., the storm ended and it got warmer. We checked into our Days Inn and found out that my right saddlebag had melted down onto my muffler. On the brighter side, we got great documentary footage today at a Navajo reservation. I learned about yucca plant and had Navajo fry bread. I even crawled into an Indian sweathouse.

A thought came to me as I was riding and seeing so many people driving in box-like cars: “How can you think outside of the box, when you are in one?” Hmm.