As a volunteer at RI HOPE, I have the privilege of mentoring young people to be leaders for Christ at home, in the local community and globally. In October I challenged the student leader team to pray about attending the IGNITE Retreat (an ICC leadership training event in January in Spring City, TN). Because I believe in the leadership potential of each one, I promised that I would run 10 kilometers to raise funds for them. However, I made it clear that they would also have to reach out to their family and friends to raise half of their support.
A few weeks later, Brody, one of the student leaders, expressed an interest in joining me on my run. He had begun to train at the YMCA a few days per week.
We set a date for late October then I got sick and had a lingering cough that lasted for a month. So, we planned our second date sometime in late November. Then Brody got sick over the Thanksgiving break. We set the next date in the beginning of December which we hoped would be successful. As the old idiom states, "The third time's the charm". That third attempt at running the 10K finally arrived on December 5th.
The forecast was in the 50's, so we took advantage of the warm weather.
Brody's mom took pictures, as younger brothers; Benjamin, Levi and Shiloh, and sister; Ailie all came to watch us as we set out on the Trestle Trail in Coventry.
We averaged nine and half-minute mile pace for the first three miles. We took only one short water break at the four-mile marker. After that I was definitely slowing Brody down for the last two miles.
As we headed into the home
stretch, we were
greeted by
cheers from
Brody's family.
It was such a good feeling to accomplish a goal together. Besides the run, we were able to ask local businesses to sponsor us. We are so thankful to God for everyone who generously donated to the RI HOPE Fund.
At the time of this writing, we have raised $3250.00. Our top sponsors were Mr. John Seraichyk, CEO of Browning Associates and Mr. Jonathan Wright CEO of PTL Equipment each donating $1000.00. Other sponsors include Ken and Jan Lonngren, Dana Lavigne, Dean Jennings, Daniel Clarkin and Autumn English.
May the Lord richly bless each of them for their generosity.
If you would like to support the ongoing leadership training
of the RI HOPE Student Leader Team, visit the RI HOPE Scholarship Fund page
to find out how to make a tax-deductible donation.
100% of your RI HOPE FUND checks that are mailed
to Faith Fellowship Church in Coventry, RI go directly to the students.