Barbara Runs Marathon to Help Aids Children in Africa
Hi, my name is Barbara. I am 54 years old. I am 90 pounds overweight. I am diabetic. When I began this journey to run the 30th Annual Chicago Marathon, it all started as a response to a 40 Day challenge given by our church (www.armitagechurch.com)
6 weeks before Resurrection Sunday.
Basically, I didn’t do anything during those 40 days. I didn’t really get with the program, didn’t listen to the Lord’s voice at all. Then as the 40 Day challenge came to a close I realized that I had not only wasted my 40 days, but missed an important opportunity to find out what Jesus wanted to do in my life as a wife of one husband and mother of 3 young adult children.
Then I heard an inspiring offer from Michelle Strombeck on WMBI radio. “Are you a former runner? Join me in helping raise money for orphaned children who are victims of the Aids Crisis in
Africa . Through the World Vision I will be running in the 2007 Chicago Marathon!”
That call just spoke to my heart. I hadn’t run in over 10-12 years – and certainly I never dreamed of participating in a marathon! But I knew just from the mounting excitement pounding inside me as I rushed to register here was God giving me another chance!
In a real way I will be contributing to the well-being of children who have lost their parents because of Aids.
In a real way I will be contributing to my own well-being by taking this step of faith toward good health.
There are about 73 million children in America; 15 million of them high school students. What would it look like if suddenly without warning, all of the high school parents were dead? There would not be enough grief counseling to go around. Virginia Tech. A name that has so much meaning because its tragic events are still fresh in our minds. Lives taken suddenly and without warning. AIDS Epidemic. Another tragedy that occurs regularly with victims falling prey in overwhelming numbers. The statistics are so staggering that most of our minds turn away because the volume is too immense to mean anything to us. What does 15 million orphaned children look like? All of the high school children in the United States with no parents! It would frighten us to see that happening on a daily basis.
In
Africa , that is what is happening every day. Mothers. Fathers. Teachers. Pastors. Working men and women. People like you and me. Dead. Leaving behind all of their children.
6,000 people die everyday of the disease. 2 years ago more than 2.8 million people died because of AIDS – that’s everyone in
Chicago . Every day more than 29,000 children die, mostly due to preventable diseases and lack of clean water.
Will you help me change a situation that is not hopeless? Together we can make tremendous difference and turn the tide.
I have decided to run and raise a thousand dollars per mile through Team World Vision a Christian Humanitarian Relief and Development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.
Through Team World Vision I am going to run the Chicago Marathon October 7, 2007! In the past our family has supported children through Compassion International. My family has donated money at different times for similiar causes. I have often been moved and overwhelmed by the need. Prayer has just been a part of my response. I feel challenged to do something radical. This is my faith response that I feel Jesus is calling me to do. Train for this Chicago Marathon and ask for your sponsorship. It is for the children. It is a small part. With your sponsorship it becomes a BIG part. Please join me.
There are 2 ways you can contribute:1) Click the link in the text box below, and sponsor a child for $35 per month OR
2) Click on the SPONSOR ME NOW button at the bottom of the page and make an online donation.Love and Thanks!
Barbara