If anyone knows me, you know I am an aspiring/wannabe runner. It kind of falls into the same category of me being an aspiring morning person. After 28 years, I should just throw in the towel, but there is something about running that I just love. I am not sure how I love something that is such a thorn in my flesh, but it moves me towards discipline and doing things I that I am not good at. It's a character building for me somehow. And after asking God for more discipline this year, it has been a good exercise of discipline for me.
If anyone knows me, you also know that I love India. India is a home a way from home and there are few places on the planet that make me feel as alive as that crazy country does. Those beautiful people and their land is in my blood and it defines so much of who I am today.
If anyone knows me, you also know that I am not a kid person. Ha. In fact, all through my CBU career, I somehow avoided and made clear that I would let all other eager little leaders lead the orphan teams. Orphan teams, VBS, and children activities honestly kind of stress me out.
With all this in mind, I was handed the opportunity to run a half-marathon (yes, that's 13.1 miles) and raise funds for As Our Own. As Our Own is a Christ-based, community driven movement in India that rescues vulnerable children from certain enslavement and exploitation, caring for them as our own. I was able to visit this ministry 4 months ago and absolutely fell in love with these daughters and the work they accomplishing in this country.
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| Half our running team from Bayou City Fellowship |
I love As Our Own for so many reasons...
- With my love for India, it was so encouraging to find a ministry of excellence that is making huge kingdom impact in a place that I want to see the Kingdom of God advance more than any other place. They have a God-sized vision that not only loves the least of these, but has direct impact on building the church in India.
- Despite my lack of being a "kid person", I absolutely fell in love with these daughters because I identified with their story as I was reminded of the beauty of my own redemption story. That Christ pursued me when I was in need to be rescued and has written a story of dignity and honor over my life. These daughters and I are the same, without something greater than myself to intervene in my life, I would be destined to a life a life a slavery and death.
- This organization is also all about the gospel transforming lives and in equipping and mobilizing Christian leaders to be light of the gospel to India.
I have been incredibly impressed (which is hard to do) by the ministry of As Our Own. And have I been honored to run for the these daughters-- all 13.1 miles on race day and the hundreds of miles of training!
I would like to invite you to give to this ministry. Know that your financial contribution will be well stewarded and will go towards Kingdom work in India. If you are interested in giving, please go to this site and click on the right that says MAKE A DONATION.
