Run 4 Their Lives {and Drive for MarMar)

A few weeks ago during a sermon, our pastor Ken Nienke mentioned a local race being done in collaboration with Christian radio station Spirit FM, Roanoke teen outreach Straight Street, and human trafficking advocacy organization Freedom 424 called Run 4 Their Lives.    The goal of R4TL was to bring awareness to the prevalence of human trafficking (which exists even in our quaint Roanoke Valley) and to raise funds to support victims and facilitate organizations that partner with Freedom424 to bring freedom and do justice around the world.

With my friend Emily before the race

FCC has continued to impress me with its heart for those being enslaved and exploited. This year (and again in 2015 and 2016), a group from Fellowship traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to assist the Nepali Rescue Project in encouraging girls rescued from human trafficking and repair the border stations that help catch perpetrators.  When an announcement was made at church about this new international outreach opportunity, I thought, "Wow, what a life-changing trip."    The Lord has certainly laid on my heart the desire to participate in an international missions trip, but with two small children, the reality is that my role may be more of a "sender" through financial support and prayer than an actual "goer."  But,  Run 4 Their Lives presented an opportunity to help women and children locally. At only $24, the 4 miler registration fee was a bargain by race standards, and also gave me motivation to pick running back up after a lazy summer sabbatical. My friend Emily was also running in it, so that made this race a win-win-win-win!

Representing FCC SW young families Life Group

What I maybe wasn't prepared for was how touching of a race this would turn out to be. While picking up our race packets, volunteers introduced us to Krista and Vidya, two victims of human trafficking who are being healed through the love and support of Freedom424 and its partner organizations. All 150 of a there would be running in their honor. 

Then prior to the start, Keith from Straight Street explained a little bit about the course. Runners like flat, straight courses-- this was neither. But, it was purposeful. He encouraged us to pray as we passed each landmark-- the jail, where many women are locked away while their pimps are still roaming the streets; the police station, where officers are working diligently to get perpetrators off Roanoke's corners; the Martin Luther King Bridge, symbolizing freedom that could be the reality for every woman and child enslaved; and the turnaround point of the Roanoke Civic Center, recognizing that conventions and events are often the most devastating times for prostitution, abduction, and human trafficking. He went on to tell us that several volunteers had walked this very course a total of 400 times over the months of planning, praying every step of the way. So this course was scenic, intentional, and covered in prayer. Goosebumps. 

It was a beautiful fall morning, perfect weather for running. With Emily and Sam to keep me company, I finished the 4 miles in 40:47, which is pretty fast for me. :)  It was such a morning well spent. 

And, as much as I loved the morning, I loved my afternoon even more!  A few weeks ago, Mom let me know that she would be traveling to West Virginia to visit with a few of her girlfriends for a few days, which meant she would be driving right through Wytheville on her way back.  Yes, Wytheville is an hour and fifteen minutes away, but I could not stand the thought of her being right there and me not even getting to see her!  So, I told her that the girls and I would drive down to meet up for lunch.  It had been since the Fourth of July weekend since I had seen her, so even an hour or two with her would be worth the drive.  My mother-in-law Susan was sweet to have the girls sleep at her house so that I wouldn't have to leave so early for my race, so it was super easy swinging by their home in North Roanoke on my way out of town.    

Mommy and Willa Kate waiting at Ruby Tuesday

We chatted while we were both heading toward Wytheville, and decided that it may be best to eat somewhere that the girls could play.  I found a park close to the exit, so we decided to get some Ruby Tuesday to go and have a picnic at the park.  Well, while we were waiting for our food, the server recommended a place called Ager Park, which was just a mile down the road in the other direction.  She said they have lots of things for kids to do and that there was a sign to direct us to the park.  Well, we left and headed toward Ager Park, and after seeing the tiny sign, we turned in only to see some tennis courts and baseball fields.  Not exactly four-year-old and one-and-a-half-year-old friendly.  So, we saw a church with a rickety little fenced in play area, and decided to make that our picnic destination.  

The girls and MarMar played for close to two hours, and had a ball on the school bus and merry-go-round.  Their favorite part may have been MarMar's impromptu storty time in the shade, reading their new book Happy Halloween, Stinky Face. 

The girls listening to MarMar read Happy Halloween, Stinky Face

Toward the end of our time there, Harper needed to use the restroom stat, so we decided to go back over to Ager Park since we saw restroom facilities there.  After we parked and Mom began to walk Harper in, we saw it.  A giant, beautiful, wooden play kingdom with swings, ropes, towers, sandpits, and obstacle courses, sitting just below the fields and courts.  Whoops!  We laughed out loud, and knew there was no way we were leaving without letting the girls play there for a few minutes.  Or hours.  Shew!  All that playing called for a quick snack at Sheets before MarMar had to go on her way to Tennessee to meet up with PapPap.   

Harper and MarMar clinkin' cones

What amazes me most is that it does not matter how much time has passed since the last time we saw her--everyone picks right back up where we left off, which is impressive if you are familiar with the "out of sight, out of mind" tendencies of preschoolers.  Wills was even eager to give her kisses and tight neck squeezes.  I think it is because since Mom moved to Alabama 7 years ago (what?!), our focus has been on quality time versus a quantity of time.  We may only have a weekend together every other month, but when we meet up, we are truly together.  We eat together, play together, tour together, swim together, worship together, so a lot of memories get packed into those precious moments.