Sunday, February 24, 2013

Big Spark!

Hi everyone, I thought I would shake off the dust from this old blog to share two quick stories.  As those who supported me as I prepared for the 2012 Marathon you know that I did so with the motivation to raise money and awareness to support the Maranatha House Orphanage in Titanyen Haiti as part of the Portland nonprofit Ncompass.  The spark came after discovering how much power one thought can have and how it can quickly spread, so started One Thought Away.

During my latest trip in February I was able to share with Jackson Isomorin (Director of the Maranatha House)  of what it was like preparing for the race and how much love and support he has from those in the United States.  During this time I shared with him three gifts along with three verses.

First my bib number from the Portland Marathon.  My entry name was "Ncompass" to show him he had an organization of people behind him and that the work he does is not a sprint, but much more like a marathon where patience is needed.   

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so       great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us"

Second, were the shoes I ran the marathon in and that I trained in.  They were also the shoes issued to me at Basic Military Training this summer by the Air Force and were with me nearly every step of my training (literally)This gift encouraged him to have renewed strength in all he does (reminder he took over this orphanage in his early 20's and currently consists of 40 children).

Isaiah 40: 31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
 
 Lastly was my medal from the Portland Marathon to represent the prize we receive when we finish the race.  This is to remind him he is running a very grand race that ends with heaven as the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

This was great to see his big smile and share this all with you when I came back.  The best part is the race is not over.

Last fall I was approached by Angie Gray who had mentioned she had seen what I was doing and wanted to talk to me about an idea she had.  I remember that first phone call with her as she brainstormed some ideas and said "you know I think I want to run a bunch of half marathons and support the kids in Haiti".  She did most the talking since she had a flurry of good ideas revolving around one simple yet powerful thought.

With that spark and the support of her family and friends she was off and running with her idea for 13 for 13 which comprises of running 13 half marathons in 2013 as she requests a simple $13 donation.  Her story is incredibly impressive and inspirational.  Please take a couple minutes to see what one thought can do.


God Bless,

Director of International Relations
Ncompass
503-580-6132

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