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(See Below for Updates)
Welcome!
"Slow and Steady Wins the Race." So advertises a major investment firm who explains, "We've learned that in life and investing, chasing the speedy and the glamorous, the trendy or hot is not the surest way to reach a goal. Like the fabled tortoise, ...we value patience and persistence over the fleeting and the flashy."
Since you've found your way to this page, you probably already know that I'm participating in the 30th running of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon this October. Similar to that fabled tortoise, I've learned in life, ministry, and marathon training that "Slow and Steady Finishes the Race." Forward Progress; Focus on the Finish -- that's my running mantra not only for the race but all of life as well. I'm not out to win, beat my buddies, or even post a competetive time. I may be slow, but I'm steady. And by God's grace, I'll finish the race for His glory and the good of those in need!
I'm running with Team World Vision Chicago to raise awareness and funds in support of World Vision's community development and relief work in Africa. The needs are far more overwhelming than the 26.2 miles looming before me and the other marathoners, but together we can make slow and steady forward progress toward the finish line before us.
In Africa, an entire generation is dying. Mothers. Fathers. Teachers. Farmers. Even pastors. Working men and women.
15 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS (That's around the same as the total number of high school students in the U.S.)
6,000 people die everyday of the disease.
In 2005 more than 2.8 million people died becuase because of AIDS - That's equal to a plague killing off the entire population of Chicago.
Every day more than 29,000 children die, mostly due to preventable/treatable diseases and lack of clean water.
But this is not a hopeless situation. Not if people like us are willing to stand up and use their One and Only Life to Do Something about it.
World Vision is 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 participating in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon to raise awareness of current needs in Africa while raising funds to assist World Vision in their efforts in the region. The suffering is immense and the issues are complex, but I am confident that together we can make a meaningful difference!
There are 3 simple ways that you can support my efforts:
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.
OR
3) To donate by check, click the link in the text box below, print out the form and mail it in with your donation made out to "World Vision."
I greatly appreciate all your encouragement and support throughout the training process. Thanks for giving to those in need.
Richest Blessings,
Jason
Isaiah 40:31 "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Updates:
Saturday, October 6, 2007, 12:38pm
Dear Friends & Family,
In about 32 hours, I and thousands of other runners will be setting out on a 26.2 mile trek through the streets of Chicago. I'm nervous but excited, dreading it but looking forward to it -- all at the same time! Thank you for all of your prayers, words of encouragement, and support.
I'm most excited to be running with kids like Emmanuel and Freddy in mind (aids orphans from Uganda - see my last update below for more on their story). I'm honored to be running for Shetie, a 7 year old boy from Ethiopia who our family decided just tonight to take on as our sponsored child. (Read below for more of Shetie's story.)
One reason I stand behind and support the work of World Vision is their "Five Fingered" approach to community development: 1) Water and Sanitation 2) Health and Hygiene 3) Food and Agriculture 4) Education and Literacy 5) Economic Development. World Vision has been around a long time, and they realize that only healthy communities raise healthy children. Ethiopia is one of their long-term success stories, and I feel so privileged to support their ongoing work with needy kids and their communities throughout the region.
If you've been thinking about getting on board with Team World Vision, it's not too late. Click the link(s) below to make a one time donation or sponsor a child like Shetie.
Thanks again for all your support! I already feel it, and I know I'll feel it while I run on Sunday!
For God's Glory & the Good of Those Need,
Jason
PS: Maybe you've been thinking about sponsoring a child through World Vision. As an example of what your support can do, here's our sponsor child's story:
Shetie lives with his parents, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters. His parents struggle to provide for the family. His father is a peasant farmer and his mother takes care of the household. Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the family's needs.
Shetie and his family live in a community severely affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. In some communities, AIDS affects the entire social structure as a generation of hardworking adults is being wiped out. Frightened children and exhausted grandparents rarely have money for food, school, or medical care. Through sponsorship, you can ensure access to these and other basic needs for Shetie and his family.
Shetie is not in school at this time because the child is too young. He likes to play soccer. He helps at home by caring for the animals. He is in good health.
A sponsorship commitment will help provide Shetie and his community with the assistance they need to save a generation from the HIV/AIDS crisis. World Vision will faithfully use your sponsorship support of Shetie to meet his needs and minimize the impact of AIDS in his community through tangible prevention and care programs. Sponsors are an answer to prayer, helping children and families gain access to basic needs and learn about God's unconditional love.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 (10:56pm)
It's been a really hectic summer, but I've been enjoying my runs and I'm so excited to be raising money for World Vision's work with impoverished children and their communities.
Recently I learned the story of Emmanuel and Fred, two brothers from Uganda who grew up near what many believe to be the epicenter of the AIDS pandemic. At the age of 3 and 7, respectively, the two boys lost their father to the terrible disease. Then shortly later they lost their mother. Orphaned and on their own, Fred did his best to take care of himself and his brother until a heavy rainstorm caused the roof of their little shack to collapse. With no where else to turn, they hiked miles and miles through the banana fields of Uganda to the home of their maternal Aunt. No sooner had she opened the door than she angrily blamed the boys father for the death of her sister, and confiscated everything they had brought with them, save a cooking pot and a blanket, before turning them away. Soon after Emmanuel began coughing and Fred feared the mysterious disease that took their parents would soon take the life of his younger brother. It was then that a World Vision worker found the boys, explained the nature of HIV-AIDS, and took them to a regional clinic where they were both tested and received care. Praise God neither had inherited the virus! Thanks to World Vision, their suffering was alleviated and their future became a llittle brighter. To learn more about the African AIDS crisis and hear stories of children affected, follow this link (copy and paste it to your browser): http://media.worldvision.org/getinvolved/aids_experience/index.html?lid=362&lpos=top_drp_AIDSexp
The other day on a half-marathon run (13.1 miles) I thought about quitting about 9 miles in. Then I remembered Emmanuel and Fred's journey through the Ugandan banana fields. How many others children have suffered as they have? Surely I can run a little and raise a little money to help alleviate their suffering and help World Vision tackle the root causes of poverty in Uganda and all around the world. Won't you ccnsider joing me? A gift of any amount could make a big difference in the life of a child in need.
The race is only about 6 weeks away. I'm probably not as ready as I should be, but I'm not stressing out and I'm still having fun. Tonight I had to run through a nagging pain in the back side of my foot/ankle (Achilles?). Thankfully the pain went away after a few miles. Please pray for my health, my training, and most importantly my fund raising efforts. Kids like Emmanuel and Fred are worth it!
Thanks to everyone for their support thus far!
God Bless,
Jason
Friday, July 6, 2007 (11:41pm)
Well, I've been so busy (working and spending great times with the family!) that I'm behind in my training. I printed out my training schedule tonight and Tanya posted it next to the family calendar in the kitchen. Apparently, I'm supposed to run 23 miles next week (10 on Saturday alone!). Since tonight I officially kicked off my fund raising efforts, I guess it makes sense that tomorrow I'll be officially kicking off my training program. At least that's what I'm telling myself, anyway! :)
I ran the marathon 5 years ago to prove to myself and others that I could do it. It wasn't a whole lot of fun. This time I'm running with a purpose a whole lot bigger than my own self-centered ambitions. I'm also having a lot of fun this time around! I'm not planning on breaking any records, and I'm not stressed out about beating my last time. Like the minister runner in Chariots of Fire, I'm out there with my head thrown back, smile on my face, just basking in the joy of the run...until my side hurts and it's time to walk!
Though I'm just getting started, I already appreciate all your support!
Blessings,
Jason
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