Today I am thankful that I had plenty of food to eat, and that I didn’t even have to cook it. I had a special dinner with my parents and grandmother, chips and salsa this afternoon, and leftovers for supper. Sometimes, when I get stressed I don’t eat, but the reality is that I have never been without food or worried about whether I would have food to eat the next day. Even when I haven’t been to the store in weeks, there are still cans in my pantry and some food in the fridge.
I am reminded about those around the world that don’t have food to eat, children here in Columbia who don’t have food to eat on the weekends when they don’t have school, those in Nicaragua who typically live on rice and beans and now are living on just rice, those all across the world that don’t know when or how their next meal will be provided.
For $9.00, Samaritan’s Purse can feed a feed a baby or nursing mother for a week. $9.00 hardly covers one meal out for us, but for others, it can make a huge difference. It can sustain life.
“She went away and did as Elijah told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah” 1 Kings 17: 15-16.
http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
(reposted from Facebook - 11/14/10)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Health... Life unimpaired
Today, I am thankful for my health. I am able to train for this race, workout without pain or injury, and seek medical attention when I need it. Having access to affordable healthcare is a luxury even here in the US. Those with disabilities are even more disadvantaged.
When I was in Nicaragua this summer, our team met a family with an autistic child. Access to education itself was limited, but special needs education was virtually non-existent, particularly for those who lived in the barrios where we served. A member of our team happened to work with autistic children. She spent less than an hour with this family and helped them learn to communicate better and understand their daughter’s needs. It was such a small amount of time, but it made a huge difference to this family. They were so appreciative.
A small investment brings big returns. As you thank God for your health and wellbeing this Thanskgiving, please remember those who are less fortunate. For every $250 we raise, Samaritan’s Purse can help a disabled child function, by giving them access to treatment or prosthetics or aids that help them live as normal of a childhood as possible.
Please help us raise support to meet the needs of these children and hurting communities around the world. Giving online is easy - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp. The money raised goes directly to Samaritan’s Purse.
We care. It’s the reason we run.
(reposted from Facebook - 11/15/10)
When I was in Nicaragua this summer, our team met a family with an autistic child. Access to education itself was limited, but special needs education was virtually non-existent, particularly for those who lived in the barrios where we served. A member of our team happened to work with autistic children. She spent less than an hour with this family and helped them learn to communicate better and understand their daughter’s needs. It was such a small amount of time, but it made a huge difference to this family. They were so appreciative.
A small investment brings big returns. As you thank God for your health and wellbeing this Thanskgiving, please remember those who are less fortunate. For every $250 we raise, Samaritan’s Purse can help a disabled child function, by giving them access to treatment or prosthetics or aids that help them live as normal of a childhood as possible.
Please help us raise support to meet the needs of these children and hurting communities around the world. Giving online is easy - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp. The money raised goes directly to Samaritan’s Purse.
We care. It’s the reason we run.
(reposted from Facebook - 11/15/10)
Family... Immeasurable love & support
Today is my grandmother’s birthday, her 86th birthday. I am so thankful for her and for all of my family. As I was running tonight with Carolyn, we were telling stories of Thanksgiving, fond memories and everyday silliness in our families. It was a warm fuzzy conversation and made me smile. It reminded me about how special my family is and how important they all are to me.
On the Biggest Loser tonight, one of the contestants had no support from her family. As other contestants received videos from home, no one from her family sent a video. She didn’t have the support and encouragement that the others did. I can’t imagine. I am so thankful for family and for all the support and encouragement they give me. I was reminded tonight that not everyone has that.
For some it is a lack of support and encouragement, for others it is abuse or neglect. For still others it is even worse, children being sold into sex slavery by their families. Unimaginable and inexplicable evil. Samaritan’s Purse ministers to these children, rehabilitating young victims and working to protect other children from the dangers and tragedy of human trafficking.
Please take time to express your gratitude to your family today. Will you also consider honoring them with a gift to Samaritan’s Purse? Giving online is easy - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp and you can even add your comments “In honor of.”
Thanks for your support and encouragement. Don’t forget to check out my blog for updates on training and the race - http://runningfast131.blogspot.com/. I would love to know your thoughts as I share this journey with you.
(reposted from Facebook 11/16/10)
On the Biggest Loser tonight, one of the contestants had no support from her family. As other contestants received videos from home, no one from her family sent a video. She didn’t have the support and encouragement that the others did. I can’t imagine. I am so thankful for family and for all the support and encouragement they give me. I was reminded tonight that not everyone has that.
For some it is a lack of support and encouragement, for others it is abuse or neglect. For still others it is even worse, children being sold into sex slavery by their families. Unimaginable and inexplicable evil. Samaritan’s Purse ministers to these children, rehabilitating young victims and working to protect other children from the dangers and tragedy of human trafficking.
Please take time to express your gratitude to your family today. Will you also consider honoring them with a gift to Samaritan’s Purse? Giving online is easy - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp and you can even add your comments “In honor of.”
Thanks for your support and encouragement. Don’t forget to check out my blog for updates on training and the race - http://runningfast131.blogspot.com/. I would love to know your thoughts as I share this journey with you.
(reposted from Facebook 11/16/10)
Water... The drink of life
Water…. The drink of life. I am so thankful for clean drinking water, particularly during a long run. I was running this morning and found a water fountain, only to find out that it didn’t work. I was tired and weary and so looking forward to refreshing water. As I found some, at the other end of the path, it was so wonderful and sweet that I think I could have drank the whole fountain. I couldn’t seem to get enough.
I was so thankful this morning for good water that could quench my thirst, thankful that I didn’t have to worry about getting sick from the water, or it carrying disease. I didn’t have to boil it before drinking it, or go to a distant well to retrieve it.
Even though I don’t like my tap water at home, I am able to drink it. Samaritan’s Purse’s Turn on the Tap Project helps people and communities around the world make their water safer to drink, removing contaminants from unclean water sources and poor sanitation. SP provides household filters, community filters and freshwater wells to provide clean sources of drinking water around the world. My tap water becomes much better with a simple filter - it tastes better and is healthier to drink. Their projects filter out disease and bring hope. They become a wellspring of life.
Hmmm… I am reminded of Jesus and the woman at the well. She came looking for clean drinking water. Jesus met her physical need for water and revealed Himself as the source of living water. “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14 NIV).
Wow! I am so thankful for clean water that replenishes after a long run. I am thankful for abundant water that is not scarce or contaminated. How much more thankful am I, though, for that living water, the source of abundant life and true replenishment!
Please continue to support us as we run and as we raise awareness for SP. My heart’s desire is not that we would raise some huge amount of money, but that God would be glorified in our running and that we would stir other hearts to give and to care about those around the world. I need to care more and this journey is as much about growing my heart as it is my ability to run long distances.
Thanks for reading. Please let me know your thoughts and feedback. And here’s the link to support our efforts for SP financially - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp.
Have a great week!
In Christ,
Erin
I was so thankful this morning for good water that could quench my thirst, thankful that I didn’t have to worry about getting sick from the water, or it carrying disease. I didn’t have to boil it before drinking it, or go to a distant well to retrieve it.
Even though I don’t like my tap water at home, I am able to drink it. Samaritan’s Purse’s Turn on the Tap Project helps people and communities around the world make their water safer to drink, removing contaminants from unclean water sources and poor sanitation. SP provides household filters, community filters and freshwater wells to provide clean sources of drinking water around the world. My tap water becomes much better with a simple filter - it tastes better and is healthier to drink. Their projects filter out disease and bring hope. They become a wellspring of life.
Hmmm… I am reminded of Jesus and the woman at the well. She came looking for clean drinking water. Jesus met her physical need for water and revealed Himself as the source of living water. “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14 NIV).
Wow! I am so thankful for clean water that replenishes after a long run. I am thankful for abundant water that is not scarce or contaminated. How much more thankful am I, though, for that living water, the source of abundant life and true replenishment!
Please continue to support us as we run and as we raise awareness for SP. My heart’s desire is not that we would raise some huge amount of money, but that God would be glorified in our running and that we would stir other hearts to give and to care about those around the world. I need to care more and this journey is as much about growing my heart as it is my ability to run long distances.
Thanks for reading. Please let me know your thoughts and feedback. And here’s the link to support our efforts for SP financially - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp.
Have a great week!
In Christ,
Erin
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Confessions of the Good-Intentioned
I’ve been a little discouraged lately, with my training and with myself. I set out a couple of months ago on this journey and was so excited about taking on the challenge. Now it seems harder and harder to get motivated for long runs or to focus on writing. I was embarrassed when I looked at the date of my last post. I guess you could say I have gone the way of the good-intentioned, setting out to do something cool, but getting discouraged and on the verge of giving up.
But then a friend sent me back to one of my previous posts about why I am doing this, and I needed to read it. I needed to be reminded of why I care, why I chose to undertake this journey, and why I believe in the value of Samaritan’s Purse.
I didn’t start this journey because I love running or wanted to run a half-marathon.
I started this journey because one of my students had a dream about wanting to do something special for God, wanting to use her passion for running to make a difference. I think God is incredibly honored in the desires of her heart, and I so want to invest in her and feel blessed to support her in that journey.
I started this journey because this time last year God was working in my life to prepare me for Nicaragua. That trip for me was the beginning of a new level of compassion, of a desire to care more and to cultivate a heart of compassion for those around the world. It was a short trip with great needs. I started this journey because I believe organizations like Samaritan’s Purse are part of the answer, the long-term solutions and the ongoing work of sharing God’s love and meeting physical needs.
One of the great lessons I learned from the trip this summer is how easy it is for me to be at the center of my world and how much I want it to be less about me and more about Him. And the same is true with this project. I wanted to do something great. I wanted to do stuff… instead of letting God do stuff. These last few weeks as I have been burned out and slacking off, I have begun to see His hand at work again, less of me and more of Him.
I have seen Him in Carolyn as she conquered 11 miles, in Brett sharing his story and putting his natural ability to good use, in Amy as she ran 8 miles in the sand, and in Lizbet’s willingness to hold me accountable in Carolyn’s absence. The amazing story is how God brought this team together – Carolyn’s dream, Brett’s desire to build a hospital, and my desire to write and encourage; we are all using our different gifts and abilities to work toward a common goal.
I still have doubts about 13.1 miles. I am way behind schedule, and I honestly don’t know if I can do it. But I don’t have doubts about this project. I am grateful to be a part of it and I am not giving up on it. I care, and I want to inspire you to care about Samaritan’s Purse, to care about those who are less fortunate, to care about investing your time, talents, and treasure (whatever those are) to help others.
Here’s the link to our fundraising site - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp. We haven’t raised much money; we haven’t even really gotten started with it, but I hope you will help us get started, that you will invest in this journey and our cause with us.
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