Along with some friends from church, I am currently training for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Half-Marathon in Chicago, which is quickly approaching on August 2. Although Amy was the mastermind and signed me up one Sunday morning at church (she figured I could be doing something while she’s busy growing another baby), I was eager to jump on board at the opportunity to affect the lives of those living in conditions that we can't ignore. One of the most exceptional aspects of this organization is the way in which social justice is approached. Instead of creating dependence within villages that wait each month for a shipment of food and supplies, World Vision works to build self-sufficient communities, teaching the local people how to generate goods and services for each other. Opportunities exist to sponsor children in need, provide education to girls in oppressed nations, contribute to the effort of removing children from the human trafficking network, intervene in the training of child soldiers, and purchase specific livestock to be given to communities in need of “gifts that multiply,” such as oxen, chickens, goats, and pigs. These are just a few of the amazing things World Vision is doing to affect the lives of those living in extreme poverty.  

Please take the time to explore the work of World Vision at www.worldvision.org . I am honored to be training as a part of their marathon team. Last year, Team World Vision had 1,000 runners, the largest charity representation in Chicago. One million dollars were donated to overcome poverty and it is our hope that this year, we can break that record.

Please prayerfully consider supporting Team World Vision. Consider this a way to cheer me on when my legs go numb at mile twelve!