Many years ago the Lord gave Dw a dream of people running/walking to raise money for the orphans of our world. Our first 5K for the orphans we actually started was Run for Hope as we pastored in Virginia.
This past week-end was our 2nd Annual 5K River Run for Orphans. People join in from anywhere and work at getting sponsorships. One hundred percent of the money is put toward whatever orphanage the person raising it wants it to go to. Last year our church alone sent checks to Bill & Lynsay’s work in Ch*na, some to Bernie & Bennet in India and also to African Hearts. It was awesome!!
Last year, being our first year, we were thrilled that the entire event raised over $8,000.00.
And ya’ know what happened this year? You know how it is a recession, etc. and people are holding onto their money? Well, the total event raised over $22,000.00 – – – all to go to orphans around the world!! Yippee Jesus!!
I wasn’t able to get a picture of Graham….he is pretty shy (and doesn’t enjoy my pulling my camera out)….but he placed early (he loves to run)…..
It is a 5K and it starts with a little race for little ones…..Elizabeth did all the laps… starting on Sweet Liberty’s back….
Then walkin’ hand in hand with her handsome daddy-man!
Then walkin’ hand in hand with her handsome daddy-man!
Daddy needed to save his strength, so Miss Jinny walked happily with her….
Anna, Destini, & Emma
Over 190 runners/walkers….and it was a perfectly gorgeous day!!
But the brightest highlight, by far, was when Isaiah wanted to get out of the wheelchair/stroller he was in to cross the finish line himself. He knows why we do the 5K…and he could be heard thanking people that were passing us on their way back to the finish line (as pushing the strollers we were much slower than everyone else)…..you don’t want to miss this video we uploaded to You Tube of our precious treasure walking publicly for the first time….
Thanks for sharing Isaiah's triumphant moment – Job well done, Isaiah! God is blessing me through you and because of it, I daily thank him! The run sounds like a major success and I have tears just thinking about all of the orphans that will benefit from the event.
That was so amazing that I watched it twice. So, so proud of that sweet little guy. How amazing – $22,000!!! Great job, gang!!!!
Inspirational!
Isaiah's video brought tears to my eyes! What a special little guy is his… way to persevere!
awesome!!!
ahh fighting back the tears on that video of your precious Isaiah!
I was honored to participate with my grandson – thank you for putting this event together. What a blessing to see Isaiah walking across the finish line! Yeah God!
Simply one of the sweetest videos I have ever seen. That will continue to play in my mind all day. You made me cry, and then I just wanted to jump out of my chair and cheer him on. Way to go Isaiah!!
Watching that sweet little boy of yours walk across the finish line brought tears to my eyes!
It is amazing to raise $22,000 in a recession. Our church just raised $20,000 for a special need for a Christian run orphanage in India. We have been helping to support this orphanage for many years and it is amazing to watch God meet their needs over and over. He truly holds dear the needs of the orphan.
I loved seeing Isaiah run. It brought tears to my eyes!
Christy
P.S. Our church is very small. Only 26 families, but our awesome God is bigger than our churches size.
AMAZING!!!It brought me tears….God is so good..What a precious little boy!!!
Beautiful Linny – the kids and I gathered around to watch Isaiah cross the finish line – we cheered him on as if we were there! So sweet and special! $22,000 – Wow – Praise God who cares deeply for the orphan!
Linny
That video clip brought tears to my eyes! Praise God from whom all Blessings flow! Awesome, just AWESOME!!!!!!
Wow, Linny! What a success. You've given me an idea. 🙂 The kids are way too cute.
587 followers, my friend. Amazing.
trina
You just made me cry. Praise God for the money raised for those precious children and praise God for that beautiful boy walking!
My mom was there and told me about Isiah walking! Thank you for posting a video so I could see it too! I'm so glad it was a success and a gorgeous day!
my eyes are full of tears!
Wonderful! Isaiah's walk brought goosebumps and tears! Praising God for the miracles in our lives!
Oh what a sweet,precious sight Linny!! Our GOD is an awesome GOD for sure!!
Praise the Lord! Oh, it delights my heart to see the video of Isaiah walking across the finish line. Such determination that I pray the Lord increases as He strengthens his legs. Congrats on raising $22K for the orphans. God is awesome!
Oh Linny, that one had me crying! What a brave little boy! My kids (6,5,3) asked about the video and I explained what the race was about and why Isiah wanted to walk it himself at the end. My kids cheered him on from in front of the computer screen as we watched. Beautiful!
I have no adequate words. That was beautiful.
This is a great thing you guys have going here! That video brought tears to my eyes. Go Isaiah!! :))
oh LInny….tears, tears, tears…. How precious!
Linny, I'm just bawling! That was so beautiful.
Such a heartwarming video… go Isaiah!!!
Sooo … precious! Thanks for sharing!
Laurel
Isaiah's video is undoubtedly the most wonderful one I have ever seen, knowing what he has gone through this past year. Tears, tears, tears…
Shari and I loved meeting you, Dw, Elijah, Elizabeth and Isaiah a couple of weeks ago at your Church. Dw is such a wonderful speaker/pastor. Aren't you jealous Linny's bloggie friends that we got to do this? I recommend a trip to Durango.
This may well come s surprise to you but anyway, please see/pass on the link >
http://about-orphans.blogspot.com
With kind regards.
Oh Linny. I was sobbing before the video even started. What a precious, precious boy. I have no more words.
okay, i'm bawling my eyes out!
that was the most precious thing i've seen in a really long time.
YOU GO ISAIAH!!
what an AWESOME God we serve!!
Okay, that video made me tear up. Wow.
This brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes! So amazing the power of God.
tears, tears, tears!!!! Oh the JOY!!!!!!! Sweet Boy!!!! SOOO proud!!
I had to come out of the bushes again for this one!!!!!
MUCH Love from Kelly, your "Buffalo friend"
Oh my goodness! That sweet boy melts my heart!!
In Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
Congratulations on all that was raised for the orphans around the world.
Thanks for sharing this video! It was inspiring and made me cry. Mr. Isaiah, you are one incredible kid and we can all tell that you are a blessing to your family and to many people who follow your story around the world. Great job kiddo!
That video was a tear jerker. You have such a sweet family! You are an inspiration to many….
How precious! My husband and I have just started an adoption fund to help families that need it. We are discussing fundraisers and this one is a gret idea. I'll let you know if/when it turns out! Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer
Isaiah,
With those steps God's trumpets sounded yet again! They blew telling announcing His might, power, and the strength He gives to all His children who believe in Him.
You are one of His gifts and miracles sharing His love and testimony. Keep up His work.
Linny,
Thank you again for sharing your testimonies of faith. Each of your babies (in-betweens & adults) is (are!!) an example of the radiance of God's love.
Tell me again how far is it to your house???
Super 5K for Orphans!!!
Blessings!!
Barbara Lyman 🙂
Marysville, WA
Aww, the video brought tears to my eyes!! what a sweet soul he is!!
oh my gosh! That made me cry; it was so sweet! I love him!
That brought tears to my eyes! Normally when I watch videos on blogs I have to mute the music that plays on the blog, but this time I didn't think to and playing in the background were the words "How great is our God, sing with me how great is our God." It was as if it was set to the video. Very cool! Congratulations Isaiah!
~Amy
Wonderful and beautiful!! Way to go Isaiah!! Congratulations!!!
How exciting to have raised so much money for the orphans!! Yippee Jesus!!
Woman, you have reduced me to a puddle of tears.
I am completely useless right now.
Just overwhelmed and so very grateful.
Does that little tenderhearted boy of yours know that his steps would help another orphan like him find a family?
Every single step just squeezed my heart and brought fresh tears. And to end it all with that melting hug. Linny, you are blessed. And we are blessed to "know" you.
Thanking Him who has given you this beautiful son.
What an answer to prayer!!!
Oh goodness that video made me cry! How amazing is our God!!
Loved the video!
Absolutely have tears running down my face right now. When our daughter was hitting a lot of milestones after her brain surgery I made her walk from the car to her sister's baseball field. People I didn't know had watched her the previous season run around, and the current season she was all disabled from the surgery. As she walked for the first time up the hill everyone stopped and started clapping and cheering for her. I cried then too because I didn't realize how many people were watching us deal with our bad situation.
Go sweet boy! You can do ANYTHING now!
Oh Sheesh, all of 6 am and I am bawling like a baby watching that video! I love you sweet Isaiah!
Seeing that video touched my heart. Please tell Isaiah that he was wonderful and that I am so excited for him.
How wonderful, raising all that money for orphans, AND Isaiah walking over the finish line! Whooohooo to him! I have tears, I've had to replay that little video over – I'm grinning and crying all the way over in Australia. Well done to all involved in this fundraiser, and a "You bewdy mate" (Aussie speak for WELL DONE) to big boy Isaiah!!
Jennette
I don't easily cry, Linny, but watching him walk brought tears to my eyes! How absolutely precious….and to have raised so much….WOW, Thank you LORD God!
the tears are rollin' here! Awesome!
GO Isaiah!!! I have tears streaming down my cheeks right now after watching your sweet boy walking across the finish line and reading about him thanking the participants! He is amazing! Of course he also has an amazing Mama and Daddy too! You both are truly inspirational! I wish I lived nearby so I could join your 5K for orphans. – Charissa
I'm going to have to get a share in the Kleenex company. What a awesome moment. And what a incredible amount of money. Hugs..
Too precious. I have tears running down my face. What a great event!!
Kathie
Tears for joy for sweet Isaiah!!! How AMAZING to see him walking–and to know that he was thanking people for walking in the 5K. So touching! I love that kid!!!
What a great idea to raise money–and I GASPED at the amount. WOW! Only God could have pulled that off!! 🙂
How Sweet is that! He is amazing!!!With a spirit like that he is going to move mountains!
I really need to speak to you about organizing a run/walk here in Ohio. With all of us in bloggy land you could have a National fund raiser!!
Sheri msiowatson@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for sharing. As the adoptive mother of "special" children, I personally know how sweet those steps across the finish line are. Praise Jesus for your heart, and your Isaiah's courage and determination. Thank you also for your heart for orphans. God bless your family.
Oh my goodness, could that be any more wonderful?!
I could watch that video over and over. How is he doing and what is the next step for him? What about DW? Haven't heard updates on him in a while.
Crying here, too… What a beautifully amazing video! Way to go, Isaiah!! Raising $22,000 for orphans is SO incredible. Praise God!
Isaiah's video made me cry….but in a good way! What a day! God is good.
OK…I am crying! That happens often when I stop by for a visit!
Oh, Isaiah! You made me cry! What a strong boy you are! God is so mighty and powerful and can do all things. Thanks for sharing your video with us. We're so proud of you.
Many blessings,
The Levy Family
Wonderful! Fantastic! Unbelievable! God is good! So proud of isaiah – praising God that he is able to walk so well! Keep the healing coming, dear Lord!
How very very very beautiful!!!!!
How exciting and awesome to raise so much money!!!! I love the picture of Liberty and Elizabeth and Elizabeth and DW! GREAT photos!!!
That was such a beautiful thing-watching Isaiah walk:-) How proud you must be of him, and how amazing to raise that much money! Tears over here too! Oh-and Elizabeth is just gorgeous!!
Yea God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all I can say – this posting gave me chills Linn. Thank you for the pictures and movie of your precious Isaiah… what a beautiful moment. Thank you for your beautiful lives…. and for lifting up our sweet Jesus!!!
We love and miss you guys!!!!!!
Steve and Celestia
Go Isaiah!
I cried when I watched this, and not just because Isaiah is walking, but because it's obvious how very much he is loved and cherished. $22,000 so more Isaiahs are loved and cherished. Can I say, "Yippee Jesus?!"
That was great! Just wonderin how you did evrything. I would love to organiz esomething like this in our town. Thanks!
Whew! What a sweet, sweet moment that video captures! Love your idea of the 5K for orphans! Love it!
Wow – tears flowing – what a "proud mama moment"- Glory be to God and yes! – Yippee Jesus!
Isaiah, what a wonderful testimony you are to God's goodness and redeeming work! Bless your Mommy and Daddy for being part of God's plan to bring you to this awesome day. I cried and cried, tears of celebration and victory, tears of thankfulness and wonder at the goodness of our God. May you go on to march through life as a proud warrior for Jesus, who loves you so!
How I love that little boy of yours. I've always loved his constant smile…but now his determination has blown me away. Congrats on raising the funds. Great job.
Beautiful! Tears running down my face when I watch Isaiah! Great job kiddo!
God bless you guys for caring for the orphans!
Isaiah is the sweetest thing! I loved watching that!!
0h my word! I've seen that video 10x! And BAWL every time. What a gorgeous site. Praise God!
Linny how awesome that you do this. I so love your heart. Prayers continue.
Hugs,
Ohilda
Thank you for posting that. I cried the first time I watched it, the time I showed it to my kids and when I showed it to my husband. Yep, it touched me!
Barbra
Absolute tears of joy!
Keri
I couldn't help but cry watching Isaiah walk. Praise the God who heals and makes all things new.