At the end of 2009, a book made it’s way into the hands of several people whose lives it would drastically change. The book - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller - discusses this idea of story living. It challenges readers to live each moment in such a way that would be worthy of a movie. The people - a group of friends in Chattanooga, TN - started out this new year with a desire to live a better story.
We didn't know what that meant at first, other than we knew we needed to be involved in something that mattered...really mattered...making-a-real-difference-in-people's-lives kind of mattered. We knew it would involve risks and sacrifice but we wanted to love people, to help people, and to create a better story for our children to grow up in.
This is the kind of story we find ourselves in today. The kind of story that matters. The kind of story that will cause us to sacrifice and risk much but will help people on the other side of the world. The kind of story that reminds us that God must be in control because we definitely wouldn't have chosen this journey for ourselves. The great thing about this story is that we are not alone. God has given us a group of friends who are living this story together. We will be sacrificing right next to one another and as we run (literally) together on this journey we will be able to help each other and support and encourage each other. What's more is that our impact will be greater because of our unity. Together we can do more than one could do alone.
We are running a marathon.
We aren't running just for the sake of running and we definitely aren't running to simply get in shape. We are running to raise money to support the work of Blood:Water Mission. BWM provides clean water and aids relief to people in Africa. People in Africa die daily from sickness and disease that could literally be prevented by clean water. They need wells and water filters. They need education about the spread and prevention of aids. They need aids medication. They need people to show them Jesus, people to love and care about them. The people at BWM are doing this right now! They just need support to continue the work they are already doing.
We are anxious to see what God will do in and through our story. We aren't running for our own benefit or gain. We are simply running to tell a story. Our brothers and sisters in Africa are dying because they lack something as basic and common as clean water. We can help them.
And so can you! We need sponsors. We need people to help spread the word about the need for clean water in Africa. We need people to come to the marathon and cheer us on and most likely carry us home. We need your prayers - for us that we won't die while running, but more importantly for the work of Blood:Water Mission and for the people of Africa.
Consider this your invitation to step into this story with us.
