In 2018, I biked 1400 miles in 40 days from Tyler, TX to Miami, FL with Pastor Gennadiy of Ukraine. I did so to support a world without orphans and in the process raised over $28,000 for Serving Orphans Worldwide.

On February 13, I turned 60 years old. For my birthday I set a big, hairy, audacious goal of biking 60 miles a day for 60 days a total of 3600 miles! Taking one day off a week (Sundays) for 10 weeks, I will finish on April 22.

There are two major differences in this bike ride from last summer. First of all, I will do it locally on a stationery bike at APEC. Secondly, the reason for my ride is to bring fresh water to a community in Ethiopia without access to clear water.

I met Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water in Africa in 2005 when he was a volunteer photojournalist for Mercy Ships and then joined him in New York City for his 31st birthday party that launched charity: water.

Scott wrote Thirst, the NY Times bestselling story of charity: water, released at the end of 2018. As part of celebrating turning 60, I am GIVING 60 copies of Thirst away (hardback or electronic) to the first 60 people who request one. All you have to do is promise you'll read the first chapter of it (because I know once you start, you won't be able to stop).

Many of us have no idea what it's like to live without clean water. We have plenty to drink -- even the water in our toilets is clean! But every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. How crazy is that??!! It doesn'thave to be that way. Your donation will help change this.

My hope is for my 60th birthday to be used to help charity: water bring clean water in Ethiopia, the country Carol and I adopted our daughter Favor from in 2010. Last summer biking 1400 miles from Tyler to Miami was literally the hardest physical challenge of my life ... and this challenge is almost three times the distance!

Please donate to my campaign -- anything you can give is a huge help. I hope by the end of 60 days to have 60 (or more) people giving to this cause. 100% of the money will be used to provide clean water, with ZERO taken out for overhead. When finished, charity: water will send photos and GPS coordinates to see the exact community we helped receive clean water for the first time.

Whether you give or not, please request a copy of Thirst in whatever format you prefer (hardback, Kindle or Nook). It's my joy to send you a copy as a way of giving back for the incredible 60 years of life God has given me!

"Do not go gentle into that good night. Old age should burn and rave at the close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light." --Dylan Thomas