Running 4 Bare Feet

The last time I posted an update for you is still where I am today…after a wonderful, week-long trip to Florida in which I rested and relaxed on the beach, I am excited to hit the pavement again tonight or tomorrow!

However, I am super-excited to announce an update!  $185 raised so far!  As I contemplate the speed at which the Lord Jesus is prospering this project, I am reminded of the following verse:

“So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.”  (1 Cor. 3: 7)

Amen!

Another quote by Hudson Taylor that I love:

“Learn to move man, through God, by prayer.”

Amen again!  God needs none of my help in raising the funds for the  children whose lives He is changing and will change through this project…He has blessed immensely me in allowing and inviting me to join Him.

Another update coming soon once I have a few more miles to report!

Mt. Apo, Philippines

Day 16

Miles Run: 64 Miles

Digos Sultan Kudarat Road, Mindanao, Philippines

I am really enjoying the interior of the island currently.  I don’t know if you have ever considered it, but I’ve always wanted to get away from the crowds of happy-go-lucky tourists and see the real country, the real culture, and the folks that inhabit it.  This project is giving me a chance to see that in more than just one way.  I can’t exactly put it into words, except for the fact that I am visiting, through pictures and with my two feet, the people that we rarely hear about.  When the flooding happened on Mindanao back in December, I personally felt the loss of the children and workers from different programs who lost their lives-having a close relationship with three wonderful kids made my own heart ache over the people who had lost those special relationships that were even more special than those I hold dear.  Yes, this project is truly opening my eyes more than I ever believed that it would to the needs of children and people in general around the globe and in my own hometown–from a sweet seven-year-old in Indonesia right down to my youngest sister who is graduating high school this year.

The blog has taken a northern turn so now we are cutting through the interior of the island as we make our way toward Cagayan de Oro, one of the cities that was affected on December 17, 2011 by the immense flooding that occurred literally overnight.  During this leg of the journey all proceeds are given directly to Compassion International’s Highly Vulnerable Children’s Fund.  This fund is specifically for needs that may arise as Compassion endeavors to spread the love of Jesus to highly vulnerable children who may or may not yet be in their programs.  These children are provided with shelter, foster care, and legal help through your generous donations.

Perhaps you are wondering just what kind of children this money will reach.  It will support orphans that the local church (in partnership with Compassion International) is providing for so that they do not live on the streets.  It rescues girls in brothels and gives them a safe and warm place to stay while they recover from near-slavery situations.  The hard-earned money that you give to this fund will rescue children from the trash dump so that they can get an education, enough food, and the love of Jesus.  Your contribution to this fund is helping those who have no one to help them, in Jesus’ Name.

Thank you for your support and tangible evidence of Jesus’ love to these little ones.  Without you all this journey would not be possible!

Day 14

Miles Run:  56 Miles

Digos Sultan Kudarat Road, Mindanao, Philippines

Here is a poem that really hit home today…it was written by Martha Snell Nicholson, an invalid who loved the Lord and wrote many poems over the course of her life.  Any of her collections are highly recommended!

PRESS UPON MY HEART

by Martha Snell Nicholson

The clothes and shoes I wear today,

The wrist watch on my arm,

My wedding ring, this little pin,

The quilts which keep me warm–

All these I take for granted, yet

Their value is far more

Than millions of earth’s poor possess

Ere their starved lives are o’er.

O wretched lost ones, may you press

Upon my heart, and keep

Me unforgetting of your need!

And Lord, deny me sleep

Or rest unless I yearn to spend

Myself for them and Thee,

That they, earth’s destitute, may be

Rich for eternity;

That they may stand before Thee there,

Blood-washed, and warmed and fed,

Hunger forever satisfied

With Thine own living Bread!

After much procrastination (or busyness in the office, which term I much prefer) I have decided to take a moment and thank all of our awesome participants who showed up at the 5K on April 7th!  Thank you so much for coming!  You all made it so much fun for me as I got in my 4 miles that day!

Here are just a few pics…I will post more in the upcoming days!

Part of my awesome team–Amy (daily running sister!), Anna, and me

Yes, I am really running 500 miles!

Just so ya’ll know, this is the sweet sister in Jesus who designed all my graphic work–Sarah, you are truly a treasure of a friend and sister!

Thank you all again so very, very much!

For His Glory and His Children–onward bound!

Day 12

Miles Run:  44 Miles        

Nabunturan, Mindanao, Philippines

Have you ever stopped to consider just what feet can say about a person?

Day 6

Miles Run:  24 miles        

Santa Cruz, Mindanao, Philippines

I’m trying to keep consistent with my updates…we’ll see how long it lasts!

Tagum City is just a couple of miles away.  Davao is behind me…and it was truly an amazing place.  You know, it has been running through my head the differences and similarities between Davao and my hometown.

Let’s start with the similarities…there are gas stations.  Some folks in Davao have nice homes, visit a golf club several times a year, and generally live a comfortable life. In other words, I could probably live my life in the States in Davao City and hardly know the difference.  I could still live very comfortably.

The differences?  Well, besides the humidity, the bugs, and having the amazing pounding of the surf and smell of salt water in the air, the difference I noticed the most is the poverty.  Philippino poverty.  Not the poverty that was recently described in a survey that reported that most people who call themselves “poor” have a microwave.  They have at least a car–half of them had two.  Seventy-five percent of “poor” Americans have cable TV.

Poor?

Has it ever occurred to you that poverty such as most children in the world know has never landed anywhere near our nation’s doorstep?  It’s not a regular thing for a person walking down the street here to notice a kid going through a trash dump in search of forgotten treasures or even a bite to eat.   The very concept of poverty in third world countries is associated with the countries for a reason–we haven’t known what real poverty is like.  May the Savior who died for men touch our hearts with a compassion for all the poor of this world–not just those in our own country.  May He ignite our hearts to serve Him on whatever platform, with whatever talent He has blessed us with–so that we can bless others!

April 5, 2012

Miles Run:  16 Miles!    

Maharlika Hwy, Mindanao Philippines

Every. time. I. run. I want to sing for joy! Together we are using my feet to bring blessing and happiness to little ones all over the Philippines who have a need.  How blessed I am to represent all of you as we partner together!

Just look at this picture–I’m running in the dirt on the side of the road.  The greenery is amazing!  This highway runs along the eastern coast of the island before heading up and around!  We’ll be seeing a lot of it, I reckon : )

Photo Credit Ronald De Jong

April 2, 2012

Miles Run:  4.0 Miles         

Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”…and today marks the beginning of an adventure that allows me to run under those heavens, gives me the blessing of treading with my own two feet on that little blue planet of dirt…

I’m so excited you’ve decided to become a part of my team…let’s run this journey together while we glorify the Savior by running4barefeet!