Many years ago, when we pastored in Virginia, Dw dreamed of a 5K run/walk to benefit the orphan. My sweet husband is a huge visionary….and the Run for Hope was born. It was a run/walk to raise money for the orphan. It still happens at the church we pastored – about 11 years later!!
Three years ago we started it here in Colorado where we pastor. The first two years we did it along the river trail and being our church’s name is The River it became The River Run for Orphans.
From it’s inception we invited churches in the area to participate. Any money anyone raises can go to the orphanage or orphan relief ministry of their choice.
Last year we had about 140 runners or walkers. Today we had 340 runners/walkers!!! Can you believe it? Our city is not that big!! We were thrilled beyond words!! Yippee Jesus!
And this year just over $40,000 was raised….only God….
I thought you would love to see the day in pictures….the weather was perfect…..people came from all over, including a group from Sante Fe, New Mexico and a group from Colorado Springs – which is 7 hours away!!
So fun – it makes me giggle!
God loves the orphan so much!!
This year, expecting so many more people, it was held on the college campus – Ft. Lewis, which is known as the Campus in the Sky….check out the view along the rim where the 5K path was…
Some of my kids and some of their friends….
The visionary behind the run/walk!! I sure love that handsome man!
Emma’s poster where she displayed orphan pictures……
Emma and her sweet friend Vanessa
There is a “Fun Run” for little ones or those unable to do the entire 5K
Emma and and her dear friend Destini
{they may look innocent but trust me,
they are trouble when they are together}
Richard – a volunteer – keeping people on the course –
wonderful man with the most precious wife
{I forgot to take a picture of her as I passed her on the course}
This is one of my dearest friends ever…Irma
You would love her if you knew her…
This old Grandpa was in front of me…and I just couldn’t let that happen so I turned on the speed {and will probably pay for it for weeks – haha} and passed him…I snapped the picture over my shoulder!
True confessions: He is Grandpa to Abi and Ryan’s baby as well {Ryan’s dad}…and so we were razzing each other as Dw & I worked really hard to pass him….sweet man, wonderful friend and one of our staff….
My precious friend Danica’s two kids…meet Hannah and Micah…
Danica and her husband pastor in our city as well…how fun is that??
The River Run officially begins…..
My sweet friend, Carie’s son broke his leg playing football…what a trooper – she pushed him in a wheelchair!! She has a huge heart for the orphan and when God gives her the signal she would like to adopt….love that girl!!
One handsome hunka hunka little guy….orphaned no more…
This sweet group came from Colorado Springs. The lady with the microphone has a daughter and son-in-law overseas bringing home two little baby girls with down syndrome….
The winners who raised the most for the orphan….
Emma was in the winners circle….as was my mom….
For those who think they can’t do anything for the orphan, here’s something: Start a Run for Orphans….or raise money for the orphan…or come participate in ours.
My 77 year old mom raised $2,316.00 all by herself – by asking just about anybody!! {In fact if you were passing through town and saw her on the street, she just might have asked you! haha} But seriously, how’s that for not “retiring”? She loves her grandbabies and loves the orphan – and will not stop working to raise money for the orphans around the world…….I am so proud of her and Emmy!! They are amazing!
I just have to tell you – that Liberty is a natural runner. Not.Even.Kidding. I saw it in her when she was a little bitty thing…and here she is 11 years old and guess what place she was in when she crossed the finish line? Mind you, I’m not talking the “Fun Run”!!
I’m talking the 5K…this precious 11 year old treasure crossed the line in the 13th place…she was kickin’ bee-hind…and she does it so gracefully – I am so proud of her! We’re thinkin’ Olympics here!!
There were men who compete for real. We were laughing – 13th place!! You go girl! Rock the world by running for the orphan!! Isn’t that a hoot?
This is her buddy Ruthie. They started together and Ruthie finished somewhere around 54.
And here are some of our interns….Meet Gabe {L} and David. We have an internship program at our church…..Gabe’s mom visits at A Place Called Simplicity {and lives on the East Coast} and read about the internship program here….so as I “ran” by I snapped a picture…I told Gabe his mama would want to see him….so there you go sweet friend!! =)
And lastly, I have something really important on my heart….I will, Lord willing, write tonight. Please check back tomorrow….Off to get everyone bathed and ready for bed- church in the morning – oh how I love Sundays – the day we go to God’s house and celebrate His Faithfulness with others what He has done…..
Over $40K!!!! That is so great! Just awesome! And Liberty finishing in 13th place – how wonderful. Good for her! I'd say Olympics might be in her future too! Great job Liberty! I am so glad you had this wonderful day when I know your heart has been so heavy.
Over $40K!!!! That is so great! Just awesome! And Liberty finishing in 13th place – how wonderful. Good for her! I'd say Olympics might be in her future too! Great job Liberty! I am so glad you had this wonderful day when I know your heart has been so heavy.
Thank you, Linny! I'm sitting here crying – I'm not even sure why. I haven't cried about him leaving since he rolled down the drive-way, but it is an adjustment. I just can't believe he's there!
I'm busting in orphan awareness excitment here! We are attending the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Summit in PA in November. There are break-out sessions on starting an orphan ministry in our church and HIV children – both dear to my heart.
I'm so, so excited! It's better than Disney or the beach or whatever…. a whole convention of people concerned for the orphan.
I love your run/walk idea; we may have to start one of those here. Thanks so much for the picture!
Jenny
http://www.ourplansmultiplied.blogspot.com
Thank you, Linny! I'm sitting here crying – I'm not even sure why. I haven't cried about him leaving since he rolled down the drive-way, but it is an adjustment. I just can't believe he's there!
I'm busting in orphan awareness excitment here! We are attending the Mid-Atlantic Orphan Summit in PA in November. There are break-out sessions on starting an orphan ministry in our church and HIV children – both dear to my heart.
I'm so, so excited! It's better than Disney or the beach or whatever…. a whole convention of people concerned for the orphan.
I love your run/walk idea; we may have to start one of those here. Thanks so much for the picture!
Jenny
http://www.ourplansmultiplied.blogspot.com
Linny, What a beautiful day… I am so encouraged by your family… you are an inspiration to so many! Praying for you and your precious family right now:)
Sara
Amazing!
What a inspiration and encourgement this is!
My husband and I were just appointed as the outreach/event leaders at our church and I had felt so compelled to try and do something for the orphan! Only, I couldn't figure out how to get a whole church and churches involved in supporting the cause for the orphan.
So, I've been praying, and praying…and now….THIS IS IT!
Thank you so much for your heart and allowing God to use you and speak through you!
What a beautiful thing! Love it.
Linny,
Oh how wonderful that you had such an enormous turnout and that you raised so much money for the orphan.
I really want to talk to you about organizing it because we had thought about having a fun run for our mission trip to Philip Hayden to kick off our fundraising season.
Love,
Janet and gang
Hi! I love this idea and would be interested in finding out how to organize one here! We are in Virginia, but I don't think it's the same area you started it in because this is the first I've heard of it. We live on the James River and that would be a perfect run! I've never done anything like this before, so I'd love to know how to start!
Thanks!My email is michellepfrantz@gmail.com
Love all the pictures of the River Run! Awesome! I sure hope we can be there for that great event one of these years. Love you beautiful family.
What an incredible amount of money to raise. How I wish we'd have something like that here. Hugs and love
Hey there Linny,
SOOO nice to see you on Saturday.
Guess who I forgave? Yes, he made me smile!
Hey, the pic you have posted of the little boy in the walker doing the mile run/walk with his son? We're good friends with the family. Jonathan, the little boy was walking to help raise money for his school helper, Cana (another good friend of ours)because she and her husband are adopting! So,
Johnathan + Cana's family + The River Run for Orphans + CARE grant money = another orphan coming home! SOO thankful to Jesus for His faithfulness!
Hugs,
Lisa
Hi Linny! Catching up on your blog. 🙂 Totally amazing…$40K…yes, only God.
So excited for Abby and Ryan. Can't wait. trina