Update(8/25/09)-
Friends & Family-
Well we are 7 weeks away from the marathon and training has been very challenging to say the least. Amy has been battling major quad muscle pain in both legs and hasn't been able to train for a week. Jeff injured his right knee at a father/son camp in late July and just this week started training again. We both fully intend to cross that finish line one way or another.
Despite our setbacks, the people of Africa still have far worse circumstances they deal with each and every day. Their need for clean water motivates us to finish the race and journey. Please support us in our efforts to help others.
Jeff and Amy
Dear Friends & Family~
On October 11, 2009 we will be participating in The Chicago Marathon with Team World Vision. Yes, that means we will be running 26.2 miles! As crazy as it sounds we are actually excited and looking forward to the 5 month journey ahead of us.
As some of you know Jeff completed The Chicago Marathon in 2003 and Amy completed the Chicago Half-Marathon in 2006. These races were run simply to fulfill our own personal goals. However, this Marathon will be different. This time around it is about fulfilling a calling from God and fulfilling a desperate need for clean water to those who are without.
We have been so touched by the efforts of our church, Willow Creek, and World Vision to work towards bettering the lives of people in the world who are living in extreme poverty. By poverty we do not mean no house, no car or limited clothing, rather we are referreing to NO FOOD, NO CLEAN WATER AND NO MEDICAL CARE. People are literally starving to death and women and children are walking for hours just to collect water. As if that isn't bad enough, the water they are finding is often dirty and contaminated. Children are unable to attend school because they are spending their days walking for water.............water that is ultimately making them sick and even killing them. No one should have to live this way especially when there is more than enough food and water in this world to take care of everyone. So, there we sit frustrated and wanting to help and along comes this marathon opportunity.
Proverbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done."
When presented with this challenge there was no doubt in our minds that this was what we were supposed to do despite the fact that neither one of us had planned to train or compete this way EVER AGAIN!! We know all too well that the road ahead of us will be long and challenging, but not nearly as challenging as the roads that others face. We feel so fortunate to have the physical ability to set out on this journey and we know that God will carry us through.
Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me"
Please join us in our efforts to raise money and awareness for Team World Vision. Your one-time tax-deductible donation will be greatly appreciated not to mention greatly needed by so many. Also, feel free to pass our page along to anyone you know who might be interested in supporting a great cause.
Matthew 25:45 "The Lord will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
THANK YOU & GOD BLESS
~JEFF & AMY~