Fans

Last year around this time I was training for the River Bank 25k run. Almost every day I was running trying to increase my endurance. The whole race is still pretty vivid in my mind, but the last mile is like I just ran it last week. I remember physically feeling like I had nothing left. The only thing that kept me running at the end was the hundreds of people, including my family, watching and cheering me on.

 

Now, fast forward one year and I am at the end of another race. This one has been going on for 7 months and I am coming up on my last mile. I’m tired physically, mentally, and spiritually. I’m ready to be done and just crash. But once again there are fans that are keeping me going.

 

The Fans are giving me the energy and motivation to keep going when, honestly I want to quit. They have been there the entire trip watching from a distance, but still not missing a single step I have taken. The Fans are not just cheering for a mass group of runners, but instead screaming out my single name. Now Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma I love you, but if you were thinking you were “The Fans” I was talking about I’m sorry you’re mistaken. Don’t get me wrong I have loved and needed your support this entire time. In this case though, God is making up all “The Fans” I have been talking about.

 

This last mile God has been so clutch in spurring me on and giving me random blessings. Whenever I am about to throw in the towel God gently shows me something in a passage that lifts me up. If I am about to snap mentally at a teammate or a situation I have been blessed with a peace or calm sense of mind. (Thank you for whoever has been praying for that) A few times now I have been spent in all 3 areas and that is when God has blown my mind and blessed me to an unfair level. These blessing have been so sweet that I can’t help but share them to show how good God has been to my team and I.

 

A few weeks ago we met a lady named Deanna who has been a straight blessing. She has found extreme favor in the community and has passed it down to us. She has taken us to a guest house of a sugar company where we had amazing food, relaxed on couches, and played basketball. Then she hooked us up by introducing us to a hotel owner that now lets us go swimming for free. All I could think was seriously? Probably the one swimming pool within a 100 miles of us and we get free access?

 

Next were the couple name Alaster and Gale. We met this couple through our two German friends we had previously met. Alaster and Gale invited all of us over for dinner with a few other muzungos and we gladly accepted. When we arrived to their house we all went into culture shock. It was beautiful. Wood floors, leather couches, plasma T.V., constant running water, and the best part a grill filled with steak and lamb. At the end of the night our bellies were filled and we had an invitation to use their HOT SHOWER or to come for a drink (non-alcoholic of course) whenever we wanted. Again seriously? Steak, lamb, cheesy potatoes, and ice cream as a kicker?
 

Finally was SB ’12. Our team packed up and headed across the boarder to Uganda for a midway debrief. We spent 4 days recharging our batteries and enjoying one of God’s masterpieces: the Nile. We stayed at a campsite and when I would open my tent in the morning I would see birds gliding over the water and monkeys in the trees. I would often just sit there looking and thinking “God You are way to good to me.” We also got to go white water rafting on the Nile which could be an entirely separate blog. And once again the question pops into mind: seriously? The Nile River Jesus?

 

Each one of these things has helped me keep running the race He sent me on. This Audience that is watching is one of the best I have ever had. It is like those creepy sports fans that know everything about their favorite player down to what kind of underwear he prefers on game day. But I am so thankful that the Audience knows me that well. It knows the perfect time to throw me a Gatorade or word of encouragement. And like every championship MVP…

“I would just like to thank the fans because with out You none of this would be possible.”