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On a Mission to Fulfill the Commission: Boston or Bust!!

For those of you who know me (because I talk about it every waking moment), you are already in the loop about my upcoming attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  On December 20th, I will run the Jacksonville marathon in the hopes of completing this race in three hours and thirty minutes.   This will be no easy feat for this dude, let me tell ya!

For me to qualify, I must run an 8 minute mile for 26.2 miles.  HELLO!  To date, my best marathon is just over 3:48.  Yikes!  So, this is why I am calling this latest challenge, “Boston or Bust”!

Setting aside my desire to qualify for Boston personally, there is a greater goal to motivate me to the finish line! This year my run in Jacksonville is dedicated to our upcoming mission trip to the Dominican Republic.  This, of course, is another passion for me!  As a part of this trip on January 28, 2010,  via ChristianRunners, we are taking down thousands of pairs of used running shoes, children’s shoes, medical supplies and many other important items that we would consider just the basic survival items here in the U.S.  For some of the children we’re involved with, it is simply about just that…SURVIVAL. They have poor shelter, lack proper nutrition, have access to virtually zero education and lack the basic foundation of even one parent.
Bottom line, when I think about their situation, it is an atomic catalyst to put my legs in motion and in high gear!  This is because there is a light in their dark world!

Foundation Love Your Neighbor is a ministry that has been established for and via someone who has totally dedicated his life to help the children I’ve just described.  He’s a Haitian/Dominican orphan himself.  His name is Ramon Soto and along with his volunteer team, they spend day and night toiling and working to help these children in need.  They not only seek to provide basics like food, clothing, shoes and education, but they also give them what we all need the most, the real light of Christ.

Since my first visit there, I have heard the continuous call to help Ramon and these children!

This is why I am asking for your help to make my mission to qualify for Boston a whole lot more important than just finally reaching the big race.  I am dedicating my training and this event to this upcoming mission trip and the children in need in Santo Domingo.

In the end, running a marathon in three hours and thirty minutes will be the toughest event I have ever faced.  However, no matter what happens, I will remember that my brothers and sisters in Christ face a marathon that never ends in Santo Domingo that we cannot imagine here in the states.

Should you decide to give to this cause, please know that I have seen the need with my own eyes and it is beyond our comprehension.   The money will be used to fund our trip and to assist the ministry with their ongoing efforts.

There’s more!  As an incentive to run harder to the finish line under three hours and thirty minutes, the “Boston or Bust” has an optional twist for you. If I qualify, I am asking that you agree to double your donation!

Even if you aren’t able to give at this time, please know that there is something we can use that is more important than money.  For our upcoming mission trip, just knowing that you have agreed to pray for us as a team is so very important!
 
Thanks for taking the time to read this letter and for considering helping me with my “Boston or Bust” campaign! To make a donation simply click the link below.  You can choose as little as one dollar per mile $26.20 or more if you would like to do so.  Also, don’t forget to complete the form below if you would like to double your donation when I qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Click here to go to my donation page for the upcoming mission trip to the Dominican Republic

Gloria a Dios (Glory to God)
 
Richard Hopkins

Don’t know about you, but when I run solo on those rare occasions, I love to crank up the IPod.
There’s just one problem.  Right about the time I hit that great song that I love, I start hearing “TURN IT OFF” and I answer back, “Come on!  I am just one mile into this very long run, I’ve got 9 to go, I need company!”  The debate begins as I try to explain how I need the music to keep me energized and then He says back, “no you need me more.” 

Seriously, it’s as if I am being told that I have a great chance to have a conversation with the Lord and regardless of whether the song is “Christian”, the louder I turn it up, the more it seems I am tuning Him out!   So, for a brief moment, it’s back and forth, I resist for awhile with should I or shouldn’t I?  Is that really Him talking?  In the end, I pull the headphones out and start listening to what He’s trying to tell me. Truly, some of my best prayers and conversations with the Lord seem to be when I am carrying the IPod and headphones like the battery is dead and I have relinquished the distractions and just listened.

Next time you are out there and you’re right in the middle of a great tempo run  if you get that nudge to “TURN IT OFF” give it a try, you might be missing out on  a voice that’s a whole lot better than anything that can come through your head phones.
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . . (Psalm 95:7b-8a).