Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

April 19, 2010

April 19, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Picture day today. WISH TV will be doing an interview this afternoon. Not sure what they will ask but pretty sure one question will be why am I doing this. Have spent sometime thinking about just what to say. There are a lot of reasons–which one is THE one? Which one will make the pennies come flying in. Boy I feel some pressure. I think the answer for me is to keep the missionaries doing what they do. I have come to learn that the missionaries of NWHCM all pay for the privelidege to work there and serve the Haitians. Yes, you heard me correct. They have to be given financial support from you and me. They don’t make the kind of money you can direct to a 401k or invest in the market for a cush retirement. Most just get by and do their work day after day for the benefit of the Haitains and You. They go and we support. In this country, most people think our teachers are under paid for the important work they do. I would guess that the average teacher makes a lot more than the missionaries. And cCan you imagine that they don’t complain and if they do, it is not about themselves. They are not unionized or protected as government employees under law. Yea, I am doing it so they can do what they do. The funds we are raising are tagged for medical support specifically. When we started if you read the beginning, this need for medical help is the least supported and requires pulling from the general funds. If you could see the work, progress and potiential of the labor of these young and older people, your gifts would be more, I know it. For this interview, I will have to consider carefully my words. The best thing to do is ask the Lord to give me His words for the moment to tell why His Spirit, residing in me is asking me to do what I am doing. I will let you know tomorrow how it went.

Training Prep

Plan today is to do the run for the camera and maybe just keep going for a few miles. Will report on what I decided on Tuesday. If you can’t tell, I have only an idea of a program and it can change. The key for me is to keep it moving.

April 18, 2010

April 18, 2010

Spiritual Prep

I want to direct you to this place on the NWHCM website.  www.nwhcm.org/our-programs/medical.  There you can find out much more than I can put into this blog about what is being done and where your contributions will go.  As I have said before, missions and how they operate has much more meaning since my trip to Haiti.  I’m sure it is the same in many places of the world. Our family has seen others but perhaps this is the most needy overall.    Not sure how you qualify or quantify need except to witnesss how just a little help will survive a life that might be just the life our world will use for God’s glory one day.  I am always drawn to the “butterfly effect” as it relates to how our actions might not reveal themselves until so much later and maybe several generations after our passing.  If we are people who believe God has a purpose for our individual lives, then we should try to understand the purpose he has for all of our lives.  If he has a purpose for your life, what about the people of Haiti.  Each life not just some of them.  We never know when and how the Lord will use us in the things we do, we just need to be used.  To be a person the Lord can count on for his work, to be ready to serve others somehow will play a role in his purpose for your life.  Be ready, hold a thankful heart and he will come for you.   I promise. 

Training Prep

Ran 4 miles today at an easy pace, body didn’t like it.  Not sure what’s going on but might need to start eating more of the right stuff for energy.  If you are not careful, you can drop weight and not keep a full tank.  That is not good nor is eating the wrong food.  The trick is a balance.  Saw a friend at Church today who had an injury with an operation several months ago.  At first, he was bummed that at such a young age, his passion for running seemed to be at an end.  It was good to see his morale recovered although he is going to require more surgery.  But the hope he can run still burns deep inside.  Good to see that fire burning, he is a great guy and leader.  Our bodies fail and sometimes there is nothing we can do about that fact.  Yet we can find ways to remain healthy and the new machines they are developing are great for low impact but good cardio fitness.  I am convinced that except for illness or extreme disability, good health from exercise is available to all.  U just need to have the desire and the giddy up to pursue it.

April 17, 2010

Spiritual Prep

I am not sure how many people are following this blog.  If you have time, a quick comment would be encouraging.  Got to hear George W. Bush speak at a “right to life” event last Thursday night.  I knew he was a professing Christ follower, but I must admit, I didn’t know he was so strong and doesn’t shy away from testimony and is very specific.  His time in office is over (he was a hoot to listen to him tell what it is like not being the president, just ordinary) there is no need for him to court a group for a political agenda.  So as he speaks as one who counts on the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I am convinced.  He said he has not spoke out and critize the current president because he remembers how painful it felt to him and his family when it penetrated the walls.  He is very thankful for the prayers of the nation.  He professes to have done the best he could with the information and situation presented and used prayer to petition God.   My kind of recipe— Lord at this moment as I write and others read, I ask a special blessing for Haiti.  The sick and injured need your help through us.  I know this small effort we are making is a spit in the fire of need, but it is something you have given us as a place to show your character not only to the people of Haiti, but to your servants our brothers and sisters there on the front lines.  A chance to give and provide for their needs so they can minister your grace and kindness with medical help and attention in the name of your Son, our Savior.  Bless our efforts and those efforts of all working in your name.  Hear this prayer from those who claim righteousness only in the name of Jesus.   Amen

Training Prep

Got on the bike today and did 11 miles.  Took a little under an hour.  Nice day, a little windy and cool but nice to have sunshine.  Will hit the pavement again tomorrow.   We are up to $3.26 for every person I pass.  Now, If I make the 2,000 passes, that’s $6,520 but what if I can pass 4,000, that’s over $13,000 and 6,000, that’s over $25,000 and any more I will surely — not make it to the next day!  Whew   Thanks to all who have stepped up–In Him

April 16, 2010

Spiritual Prep

I read a book titled “Claiming Your Place at the Fire” by Leider & Shapiro.  It is about the 2nd half of your life.  In the villages of Tanzania, when the tribe gathers at night around the fire, the elders take a seat closest in and the others stand behind on the outside.  The elders talk about the business of the tribe and life.  At some point or age, those on the outside must take or claim their place  at the fire as elders, becoming responsible for the teaching and passing of truth and decision making logic to the next generation.   As I transition in my life to this phase, it is a little scary.  You know you are still learning and have just yourself learned how little you really know.  Then you find yourself the oldest in the room, in charge and expected to have wisdom and knowledge.  Who me?  Staying in God’s word will provide most of the real answers people seek.  Just like the elders claiming their place at the fire to pass on all the information necessary for the next generation, the Lord has provided for all generations to come.  The Lord is Good–All the time!

Training Prep

Ran the HILL!  whoa, a full mile that climbs quicker than I like.   The rapid increase in heart rate for an extended period had me talking to myself above the ipod music.  Go slow but don’t stop – U can make itttt!  Did but sucked air in all cavaties.  Really tuckered me out.  Did 4 miles but a mile was back down the hill.  Interesting thing, when CJ runs it too, we agree that as we speed up coming down it is hard on our hips.

April 15, 2010

April 15, 2010

Spiritual Prep

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”  Romans 1:8.  The internet is an amazing tool.  As I was reading that verse, it struck me that this web site is in fact reporting all over the world, the faith you have, to others, who are reading along.  I have had notes from people in  countries far from the USA.  There are many yet to find us but if we were to continue this effort, eventually many would find and hear the message being passed on by this medium.   We are at a blessed time to have the many tools the Lord has put at our disposal.  My prayer is that we will find good use for all the good things God has given and not just the use for ourselves.  All we do should start and radiate from the good news of Jesus that is in us outward to others that they might know the joy we share rather than the joy we have.  It is in the sharing we are at work with God.  Thanks for sharing in this with all who are working to make it successful and especially with CJ and me. 

Training Prep

No work today.  I am a slacker!  No just starting to go longer on one day and less on all others with more rest if I can.  Need to get the plantar fasciitis under control.  Will do a moderate work out tomorrow with a really big one mile hill thrown in.  To watch me go up it you would think I was walking.  Some of you probably could walk faster.  I am encouraged that as we get closer, 22 days more and a lot of people are asking me if I am ready.  WISH TV here on Monday to do a spot to highlight the effort and I am hopeful the exposure will be in time to motivate people to the web site.  Please keep pushing the message!  Thanks for taking the time to read my mind!