"I wept day and night," she said. "I kept asking for God to intervene and feed my 7 children, or for me to join my husband. I put each of my children in God's hands for him to provide for them."

After being in Ethiopia, I am even more convinced that this half-marathon is not at all about me. It's about families like Desalech's who were devastated by AIDS until someone intervened.

And after being in Ethiopia, I am no longer hesitant to ask. I saw poverty like I never imagined, but I also saw how less than $100 can completely change the course of life for a family.

So please make a donation. Even I was amazed at how far even a small amount can go, and the money will directly benefit the community I visited while I was in Ethiopia. Also consider sponsoring a child. After meeting my own sponsored child, I can't imagine money better spent. Just e-mail me if you'd like to know more about it.

Thanks so much.

Lauren
lauren_schmunk@yahoo.com