Sprint to the finish

You know how you put so much time and effort into something, and then it feels like it’s over in an instant. Like the months and months that go into planning a friends wedding, or even graduation (4 years is a lot of build up).

The excitements happens, and it’s all a blur. Then it’s over… What?!

Well, it happened but now it’s over.

But it was so awesome!

When we held our first race in the fall of 2012, it was a huge step for our small movement and our small staff team. But we knew that it was a step of faith we were supposed to take. With 30 volunteers and 40 runners, we raised over $5,000.  God blew us away. There is no other explanation.

So we decided to try again. This time spring seemed to be best so that we could have more time to prepare.

The response was incredible. After spring break, with 3 weeks to the race day, we began our big push.  The stress began to set in. Not only did we want to raise awareness and get people signed up, but we wanted to raise money to reach our new goal ($7,500.00), and raise the $1,800.00 needed to cover the cost of the actual race. Ah!

But God is big.

It seemed like everyday there were more people signing up.  We bought a huge box of flyers, fully prepared to have a percentage left for next year. With a week left we had already handed out all the flyers. Students set up tables in the dorms to share about the race and people signed up at a laptop. Even local churches raised up teams to come join.

With 5 days left, the number of runners had tripled from the previous race. We were now worried about having enough space and supplies. How can that be a bad thing?! We slowed down promotion because we knew that things would be tight. But even then everyday the number of register runners went higher and higher.

On the day of the race, it was inspiring to see the constant stream of people through the registration door.  So many faces were unfamiliar to me,which just goes to show how wide reaching people’s compassion can go.

There were people from all walks of life.  All ages and fitness levels.  One couple even ran with their kids in stollers.

The weather was beautiful.  The sun was shining.  Everyone was in good spirits.

All in all it was a huge success.  I could not have asked for more.  God answered every prayer.  We had 140 runners total, and raised $7507.56.  Praise the Lord!

Thank you to all who supported, participated, and prayed.  The Lord used you to show this community and this university that He is a big God.  He cares about the broken and oppressed, and He loves us enough to use us to do something about it.

To Him be all the glory and honor, forever and ever, Amen!

Let’s remember to continue to pray for the Aruna Project and the women that they will be rescuing in the coming year.  This is not an easy thing.  It is frustrating and dangerous at times.  The women have a long road to recovery.  Pray that they find Jesus on the Journey.

I have also been convicted of a hard heart toward the pimps that run the brothels.  But they need Jesus too, just as much.  They are clearly a slave to their own sinful desires.  Let us continue to support them in prayer.

If you want to know more about what the Lord is doing through the Aruna Project. http://aruna5k.com/

 

---