Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

January 12, 2011

January 12, 2011

 It has been one year since the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  It was estimated to have killed well over 200,000 people.  Who knows how many more lay in the ruins yet undiscovered?  It destroyed virtually all the government buildings and left a million homeless, thousands maimed and hungry.  Rains and the normal life have compounded the tragedy.  Add to it all, a recent outbreak of Cholera which now threatens the entire population.  Things were not good before this cataclysmic event.  Things are not better now.  All the potential aid poured into the country is still not being used effectively or efficiently due to the chaos left in the aftermath.  Government and most personal records were destroyed along with many of the government workers who knew the how’s, when’s and where’s- of the country and the people’s affairs.  The country is barely functioning.  The ruble is still there with little progress to remove and rebuild.  It will be slow work.  The tent cities are still where ever there is space.  But there is always hope!  Some of the money committed to Haiti by other countries and the Red Cross, has been given to the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for distribution.  It is the NGOs who know the country and know how to effectively and efficiently distribute money and goods without the help of the government.  With the formal government in disarray much of the assistance to the country is sitting to be slowly given to the people.   I am please to be working with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission again this year.  Their presence and ability to serve in the northwest region of the country, the poorest area is absolutely amazing.   I hope you were encouraged last year with the outstanding generosity you modeled using “Run Mark Run”.  You pledged over $36,000 for the ongoing medical aid for the people, your neighbors, friends, brothers and sisters of Haiti.  Our ultimate collection was a very high percent of the dollars you pledged but that was to be expected because of who you are.  With your help and support, we learned a lot last year and seek to continue our efforts and hopefully your support.  To raise over six-figures and reach as many people as possible, we needed to start earlier.  Last year we really gave the effort less than 60 days and by most “e” experts, we should have allowed at least 120 days.  So we start NOW!  The race is May 7^th. 

The “blog” seemed especially effective and still receives comments as people are still finding the site today even though I have not made an entry since May 2010.   It will be important for you to help spread the news as you did last year.  Tap in your face book, twitter and email friends and contacts!  We will keep the same flow of the journey as we did last year.  The focus will be on preparation.  The goal of the training schedule will be to report on the spiritual and physical prep of the journey.  I will do my best to post daily and give you insights into the people and communities of the Northwest region of Haiti and the people you helped last year and will help this year.     We hope you will be very active with comments and thoughts.  Your contribution will be appreciated and acknowledged as having been a contributor.   Who knows what manuscript we might put together that will be helpful for others.   It is my prayer that you will find our work together as uplifting and energizing as I do.  To be a part of helping the poorest in our world, just by doing the things you would normally do will make a difference in your life as well.  I was struck by a comment someone made to me at a golf fund raising event for another great cause.  He was reflecting on how many people and resources it was taking to hopefully raise $15,000.  Contrasted to how you and I worked together.  Through your normal communications to others and a race I normally would run for fun and health, we together produced an abnormal result of raising $36,000, which will have a lasting effect for days, years and decades to come.  Is that COOL or what!  

So, R U up 4 it again?  We are! 

Last year as you may recall, I started the race with a team of runners at the very back of the pack of all 35,000+ entrants to the 13 mile race.  It was the OneAmerica Mini Marathon (the largest half marathon in the world) in Indianapolis, the first week of May.  The hope was that you would give me a penny for everyone I passed.  Some gave fixed amounts and some gave up to 10 cents a head for everyone passed and some gave a penny up to a cap.  Our website kept the tally of pledges daily.  I had no idea how it would turn out or how many people I could or would pass.  That day, I ran a personal best and passed over 12,000 people before the finish.  I finished with a time of 2 hrs and 20 minutes.  Slow except I am not a spring chicken, a rather used one at age 59.    

This year I will be doing the same thing but will be adding a different twist.  Last year it was “Run Mark Run” this year it will be “Run Marks’ Run”.  I will be enlisting several people who have a passion to help Haiti and have the name, Mark.  They will comprise a running team and will be helping to spread the news and raise money for their efforts as well.  We will practice the definition of teamwork used by John Maxwell in his book, Talent is not Enough.  “We will divide the work and multiply the result”.   The money we raise this year will be specifically given and used for: Clean Water Filters / Food / Medicine.  There will be more to come on these three areas of need and how to stay up on the running team. 

I hope you will join us in this effort again.    We will be rolling out different looks on the site and perhaps individual sites for each team member.  Thanks for watching and reading. 

runmarkrun.net –   PASS IT ON!

May 13, 2010

May 14, 2010

 

Spiritual Prep

I am speaking Sunday to a Church on the topic of “Is ethics in the workplace an oxymoron?”  ‘What a great title.  I will be asking the question, what’s the workplace got to do with ethics.  I am positive, that ethics are not situational or occupational.  I know there are classes in major universities about situational ethics.  My question is, do they teach which situations we are supposed to have ethics or which ethics are suited to the situation?  I hope to bring meaningful thoughts so as to provoke the audience to go home and think on things as it relates to God’s Word.  You know if you read the old testament, you will find that the Jews had worked hard to create situational ethics and messed it up.  The Word had to come and live among us to show us what our ethics/ethos, our being, who we are, our souls should look like.  Then as a perfect sacrifice, offer himself in our stead to satisfy justice and create for us salvation in Him.  A part from Him, we can have only a shadow of ethics.  Living in Him, He is our ethos our ethics.  More of you Lord and less of us.  We ask in your name,  Amen

May 12, 2010

May 13, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Went out to run and felt good for about 100 feet, then it became obvious that work was back and the thrill of the race was over. 

Wonder if that is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 13, in the parable of the sower.  In verse 5 he says: ^“Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.”

No root is developed so when the thrill is over, the work is back and as the heat is on, our resolve is weak and we just wither.  I am most disappointed in myself when I wither in my resolve to follow the Lord.  Somehow, I find the resolve to do earthy things but at times I can’t find the resolve to do spiritual things.  I hate that side of myself.  This is where the body, the Church is so important.  A place where we can gather, all of us withered somewhere to encourage and build up one another.  Now that RunMarkRun is over, all the thrill and preparation is past and all that is left is – back to the normal work.  The day in and day out stuff.  I would offer to you that the day in and day out stuff is where we prepare for those moments when we join with God to participate in his plans.  I ask you to join me in an effort to prepare ourselves to be called upon and used by the Lord.  I don’t know to what work he will call you to — but I know he will call.  Make you roots go deep by watering and caring for your growth.   And be prepared. 

Training Prep

I am injured.  Couldn’t run more than 2 miles on my foot without it hurting.  Probably will have an MRI to see what is going on.  Probably will hear I need to rest and ice it.  I asked God to give me lift and propel me in the race.  He did it and masked the injury so I could finish.  I am reminded of how gracious he was with every step I literally take.  Not sure how much longer I will continue blogging.   Looking to hear people’s comments.  If you have and opinion, let me know.  Thanks

May 11, 2010

May 12, 2010

Spiritual Prep

^{Ephesians 3:20-21} Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

Well the results are in and the team passed 12,559 people.  As I said last night, what were we thinking when we thought the Lord would help us pass 2,000.  How little we think compared to the Lord.  I love to dream big when it comes to work and fun stuff.  I wonder why I seem to have trouble when it comes to God’s work.   Probably if I went back in the blogs, I would find this same line of thinking.  That’s because I can be so hard headed.  Somewhere inside I was proded by the spirit to do something.  I told the idea to a couple of brothers with NWHCM said their response was, yeah let’s do that.  Then they put it together with promotion and I am happy to tell you that the Lord gave us the victory in the amount of $36,903.  The Lord took a fun run I always do with family, and created a team to do what we like and make money for his children and those the Spirit is seeking to make his disciples.   I am thrilled to have been a part of His plan.  I don’t know the names of the people who will be helped by this money but I am a believer in the Lord using all things to the benefit of those who love him.   

Training Prep

I wll take a run tomorrow and see how my foot feels.  It was very swollen yesterday but feels better today.  As I told you in the beginning, I run just for health.  Every other day 3-4 miles keeps me in pretty good shape heart wise if I watch what I eat.  I will be turning my attention to weights.  As we age, weights become more important and my body can tell.  My core needs to be stronger and if I want to continue to water ski at the level I do, strength and flexibility will be important.  I barefoot water ski and still try to run the ski course.  My goal is to do it when I am 65.  Not sure I will still be skiing at that age but what to be able to if I want.  Don’t want to miss Snow skiing either.  A healthy lifestyle makes you a better person, parent and leader.  

I hope all these blogs have been helpful along the way.  Eating right and exercise is easier to accomplish than you might think.  There are things we learn in grade school we carry with us for life.  One was in the third grade, Mrs Baker’s class.  Above the clock was this statement I have carried with me all these years and it is still appropitate today:

“A habit is like a cable, we weave a strand each day.  Soon, it will be so strong we can’t break it.” 

Good health starts by weaving a strand today and then one everyday thereafter.  Do it for yourself.  Do it for those who depend on you.  Thanks for your time!  Love you all in the Lord.  Mark

May 10. 2010

May 11, 2010

Spiritual Prep

We have no results yet.  How often we wait on the Lord and become impatient for the results.  Perhaps he is still working somewhere on someone.  Turns out the results we can track is where I placed with all runners, but it doesn’t tell how many people I really passed.  I know it is more than we ever thought possible.  As far as time goes, we ran faster than over 14,900 people.  What we don’t know it how many people started the race.  We don’t know how many started before us that we didin’t pass who ran slower than us.  Remember, we started at least 30 minutes behind everyone.  Therefore, someone could have run slower and we didin’t catch them.  The race officials have to go to the timing chip people and get the final numbers.  We are hopeful for final results tomorrow.  I know that God is good and the number is more than we expected.  What were we thinking?  I know that many of you made committments based upon our estimate of 2,000 people passed as a goal.  We blew by that goal.  You should give what you committed in your heart to give and no more.  2 Cor 9:7  God loves a cheerful giver.

Training Prep

Can’t.  Foot is swollen and hurting today.  Franklin my son in law PA, suggested I get an MRI so we can tell what is going on.  The symptoms presenting are not in line with PF.  Could be a nuroma?    Will wait a week or so and see how it feels.