Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

April 24, 2010

April 25, 2010

Spiritual and Training Prep

Running today and did 6 miles at a 10:40 pace.  Foot started hurting at 3.5 miles.  PF is not easing up much and my right foot is starting to act up.  Got me to thinking about Paul the apostle.  2nd Cor 12:7 – <To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.> 

As I think about what we are doing and when I drift off into passing thousands and crossing the finish line to cheers, the foot pain comes alive.  I pray to the Lord that he will take it away and make me fleet without pain in order to raise more for the medical needs of the Haitians and not for any glory for me.  The pain reminds me that my strength, and what I can do above my physical limitations will only come from him.  It will not be me at all.  It will be his grace, his energy, his spirit and his people that will enable to just finish.   There is nothing in me to make this run successful other than to ask the Lord for strength and good health.  I ask that my weakness and sin not stand in the way of anyone receiving from his goodness not only in this run but for all those with whom I will have contact in my life.  I pray that if need be, all my weaknesses and fears be exposed to lead others to know, worship and serve you Lord.  All, we pray is in the name of Jesus.

April 23, 2010

April 23, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Gran Moun is what the elderly are called in Haiti.  Here are some quick facts about this group.   

• The average life expectancy for Haitians born before the year 2000 is less than 50 years – compared to 77 years in the United States and 79 in Canada.
• Seniors (age 65 and up) make up just 4 percent of Haiti’s population – compared to 13 percent in the United States.
• Total average health care spending per person in Haiti is only $21 a year.  In the United States, it is more than $4,200 a year.
• The elderly in Haiti are among the most vulnerable to illness and hunger

When I asked how the Gran Moun residents at the mission are chosen they let me know that really the Gran Moun make the decision.  They are discovered by the missionaries or others who noticing where they sleep and their circumstances.  Some will not take the offered shelter or food and prefer to fend for themselves the best way they know how, alone and until death.  Other find safety and caring at the mission along with the  friendship they can show one another.  They are very appreciative of the help you provide and as I witnessed, when you give them treat such as a plastic easter egg with candy inside, they will carry with them to church the egg and they don’t forget who gave it to them. 

Training Prep

Ran 4 .15 miles yesterday evening.  Nice easy pace around 10:15.  As I ease up a little and my legs and feet start to come back, the pace starts faster than I want on these training runs.  That puts the heart rate up higher than I want and then I am not quite as effecient as I want to be which causes me to walk to lower it.  Over all the pace is maintained but walking/running/walking/running without it being planned is not good.   So now I have to remember to start slow and keep it at that pace.  What happens at the race with all the excitement, the tendency is to start to fast and then crash.  Prefer to start with a pace plan and run the plan hoping for the excitement of the finish to carry the end.

April 22, 2010

April 22, 2010

Spiritual Prep

In Northwest Haiti, medical emergencies are as commonplace as dusty roads. There is almost no more urgent or tangible way Northwest Haiti Christian Mission shares Christ’s love than treating the sick.  Their medical ministry has grown from a small collection of medicines in the 1980s, to a far-reaching operation that today includes a general clinic, two operating rooms, a 24-hour birthing center, an ophthalmology clinic, a laboratory and a pharmacy. In addition, NWHCM medical teams regularly travel to offer mobile clinics in communities across the region.  The medical services have always been the most affordable in the area, and they offer care regardless of ability to pay.  Most of NWHCM’s facilities are staffed year-round by trained Haitian doctors and nurses.  Specialized surgeries are scheduled throughout the year with the help of visiting surgical teams.  Since its inception, our clinic has been a landmark in the region and has treated thousands of patients, some of whom walked for days from remote towns to get there.  “This is the work we are “running” to suport.  Thanks for yours!  

^{Matt 25:43}I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’  ⁴⁴“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’  ⁴⁵“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

 Training Prep

Ran 4 miles last night at a 10:15 pace and rode the road bike for 5 miles.  Felt better so the layoff and whirlpool helped.  Don’t know about you but the season seems to have more allergy making stuff in the air than normal.  At times it feels like I have a burr in my nose.  Hear that from a lot of people.  Sure is nice weather.  Hope it holds till May 8th.

April 21, 2010

April 20, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Roughly half of Haitians are illiterate, especially in rural areas like the Northwest.  Of the few children who attend school, most attend private schools.  Haiti’s per capita GDP is $480 (US) a year, and school fees are prohibitively expensive at an estimated $70 – $80 dollars a year per child.   NWHCM operates 12 primary schools in the northwest.  They have appoximately 2,000 students and feed them once a day.  As I have said before, part of the mission work is about helping a generation help themselves.  Much is going on and there is much to do.  Think about booking a trip to see for yourself and be prepared to dive in and get a good dose of “I can really help make a difference”.  Yes, you can help.  There are many ways.  I am sure the if you ask you will hear from the full time missionaries, go where you are being led by the Spirit and just go to work.  For today, a penny or two and telling a friend to pledge, will do.

Training Prep

Did not doing anything yesterday.   However, did get to a hot whirlpool for my legs.  Took the road bike off the inside rack so I can start riding it outside as it starts to turn really nice.  If you are up on the blog, you know I did that with the mountain bike this past weekend.  Nice to go somewhere rather that the rack so I am all set.  Starting to pick up some volunteers to run with me.  They are a lot faster and don’t really know how slow I go but I’ll enjoy the company till they take off.  Can always pop in the ipod and listen to Casting Crowns or DC Talk.  They have great running music.  Plan to run 4miles tomight at a 10:30 pace.

April 20, 2010

Spiritual Prep

In Sunday class this past Sunday, we started a new study in the book of Matthew.  Our guide started us with the last 2 verses.   Matthew 28:19 & 20.  With Jesus speaking to his 11 disciples he says, “Go there therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always evern to the end of the age.”  I guess the item that caught my thoughts is the word “disciples”.  I am positive that verse is living and everlasting for all disciples to make more disciples.  But here is what really got me thinking.  I am being asked to speak on “Is Ethics in the work place an oxymoron?” (already did some blogging about it) .  Thinking about it and asking others, people do assume that it is an oxymoron.  I am floored as I think of all the people I know who are disciples of Christ and how they apply that in a consumed lifestyle–NOT Compartmentalized.  Then I am reminded that not all work places have the same compass we have here at OneAmerica.  That comes from the leadership at the top and then just like yeast spreads into all corners.  I believe discipleship in Christ is a lifestyle that at the most basic of understanding will stand against any alternative.  Fully developed, you find great people of wisdom and courage who will be a part of shaping the lives of those they touch.  I would offer that we should first help people understand what it means to be a disciple of something.  Then how to support and protect each other as though the individual is a most important part of the entire body of disciples.  It is a life long process of learning, following and then teaching.       

Training Prep

This will make you LOL (for all the over 50 with no kids, that stands for Laugh out Loud).  Yesterday we did the interview for Channel 8.  They are great people and are putting together a super story.  I am really grateful for their heart on Haiti.  I will let you know when it will show.  They wanted some pictures of me running.  I had decided this was going to be a rest day as I start to taper off toward the race.  I had assumed they would just have me run past maybe a hundred yards and it would be over.  They asked me where I do my training runs at lunch  and wanted to set up along the way and then at the track where I do intervals.  Well by the time I ran down there and did the track, I had about 2 miles in a run.  Thought we were finished and started back thinking it was over and I could walk to stretch out the last part.  Then the van pulls up beside me and starts filming me running with the van moving along side.  Had to run–you know that ego thing.  Ended up with a 3 mile run on an off day.  My legs are killing me so no running today.  It was fun and I am confident the message will bring more pennies for the medical needs in Haiti.