The Painful Payoff of Perseverance
Hello friends!
I have had Cambodia on the brain a lot lately so I felt like I should put some thoughts into words...
I announced a couple weeks ago that I will be running a half marathon in November to raise money for the school in Takeo that I had the amazing opportunity to serve at for 3 1/2 months earlier this year.
They are needing funds to keep the building projects going to meet the demands of educating close to 600 students.
I started a GoFundMe but as funds started coming in I realized that if I reach my goal of raising $2500, 10% of that will get taken off the top (to the company) and the ministry could really use that extra $250!
So I am asking now that if you would like to sponsor me for the race, to please give by clicking
here! If you can just include in the comment that you are giving on behalf off the half marathon so we can keep track of how much gets raised! :)
I have been back from Cambodia for about 2 1/2 months now. But I don't think a single day has gone by that I haven't thought about life in Takeo, always missing my family there. They wove themselves into the fabric of my heart and I think it's formed a permanent attachment.
I don't know if or how or when I will be able to return to Takeo, but I do know that I plan on supporting and staying involved with this ministry for a long time. You don't meet people like the Carsons and the Sommers every day. They are 100% sold out for the gospel. Living in faithful, humble obedience, not seeking to be thanked or seen or appreciated. Workers in the field, and man, do they have a lot of fruit to harvest. In the last month alone, 9 teachers have received Christ and have been baptized as well as 18 kids from the youth group!
As I have been training for this upcoming 13.1 mile race, I have been contemplating the word "perseverance". My muscles are gaining endurance, and each long run gets a little bit easier than the one before. But man, the battle is really in my mind.
Endurance is physical. But perseverance is mental.
Several times in the New Testament, Paul compares life to a race. And the reoccurring message is this: a call to run it well.
I'm not gonna lie, training has been hard. And two weeks ago I started working night shifts again, so it's even more challenging with a wacky sleep schedule. But it's so encouraging when I see progress. Sometimes microscopic amounts of it, and sometimes a big breakthrough, like running 6 straight miles and not feeling dead after. One thing is for sure, it's developing character in me. {{And callouses lol.}} And though it is slow coming, I know I am getting stronger and learning to persevere through the pain.
I can't think of more perseverant people than my friends in Cambodia. They are running their race well, and I just feel grateful to know them! Helping raise a little money for the school, a tiny fraction of what they actually need, brings me great joy. Because it's not about the amount, it's about the heart! If all you can give is $1 a mile, I still see that as generous giving. And more importantly, God does!
Support means a lot more than any monetary value. It means LOVE.
Let's be people of perseverance. Let's encourage one another in this race called life and stay the course! Let's keep our eyes on the finish line and run with everything we've got.
{The sun rise over the beach this morning when I went for a 6 mile run! OK, training isn't all bad ;) }
I have had Cambodia on the brain a lot lately so I felt like I should put some thoughts into words...
I announced a couple weeks ago that I will be running a half marathon in November to raise money for the school in Takeo that I had the amazing opportunity to serve at for 3 1/2 months earlier this year.
They are needing funds to keep the building projects going to meet the demands of educating close to 600 students.
I started a GoFundMe but as funds started coming in I realized that if I reach my goal of raising $2500, 10% of that will get taken off the top (to the company) and the ministry could really use that extra $250!
So I am asking now that if you would like to sponsor me for the race, to please give by clicking
here! If you can just include in the comment that you are giving on behalf off the half marathon so we can keep track of how much gets raised! :)
I have been back from Cambodia for about 2 1/2 months now. But I don't think a single day has gone by that I haven't thought about life in Takeo, always missing my family there. They wove themselves into the fabric of my heart and I think it's formed a permanent attachment.
I don't know if or how or when I will be able to return to Takeo, but I do know that I plan on supporting and staying involved with this ministry for a long time. You don't meet people like the Carsons and the Sommers every day. They are 100% sold out for the gospel. Living in faithful, humble obedience, not seeking to be thanked or seen or appreciated. Workers in the field, and man, do they have a lot of fruit to harvest. In the last month alone, 9 teachers have received Christ and have been baptized as well as 18 kids from the youth group!
As I have been training for this upcoming 13.1 mile race, I have been contemplating the word "perseverance". My muscles are gaining endurance, and each long run gets a little bit easier than the one before. But man, the battle is really in my mind.
Endurance is physical. But perseverance is mental.
Several times in the New Testament, Paul compares life to a race. And the reoccurring message is this: a call to run it well.
I'm not gonna lie, training has been hard. And two weeks ago I started working night shifts again, so it's even more challenging with a wacky sleep schedule. But it's so encouraging when I see progress. Sometimes microscopic amounts of it, and sometimes a big breakthrough, like running 6 straight miles and not feeling dead after. One thing is for sure, it's developing character in me. {{And callouses lol.}} And though it is slow coming, I know I am getting stronger and learning to persevere through the pain.
I can't think of more perseverant people than my friends in Cambodia. They are running their race well, and I just feel grateful to know them! Helping raise a little money for the school, a tiny fraction of what they actually need, brings me great joy. Because it's not about the amount, it's about the heart! If all you can give is $1 a mile, I still see that as generous giving. And more importantly, God does!
Support means a lot more than any monetary value. It means LOVE.
Let's be people of perseverance. Let's encourage one another in this race called life and stay the course! Let's keep our eyes on the finish line and run with everything we've got.
{The sun rise over the beach this morning when I went for a 6 mile run! OK, training isn't all bad ;) }
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