Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

April 14, 2010

April 15, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  We exhibit our faith in many ways.  One way is giving to the aid of people in need who we don’t even know.  We rely on the credibility of those we trust who spend time evaluating and looking at the work on our behalf.  That is why CJ and I made the trip to Haiti.  So we could tell you with certainty of the work we witnessed and the good being done.  Your money is multiplied many time its value when spent in Haiti.  We can also tell you that as you designate it–that is how it is spent.   One of the works being done at NWHCM is the birthing center.  If you could see the country and conditions in which children are born in Haiti, having a safe clean place to have a child is a relief.   With trained staff the mission provides a place where on average 3 children are born each week.  Safe and with care and in a clean place.  This helps the children be born healthier with less complications leading to disabilities and deformaties.  The people are prayed with and given grace , love  and post natal education.  The mission has become a place of safety, caring and love.  Sounds a lot like the arms of the living God. 

Trainig Prep

Went out at noon and ran to the IUPUI track.  Did a total of 4 miles at a 10:39 pace overall with a couple of miles of quarter mile intervals.  Legs hurt but music was good and the weather was absolutely great.  Will take tomorrow off to see if legs will come back a little more.  Shirts we made came in.  We won’t be hard to miss.  Bright gold with navy lettering.  Still need you to spread the news.  Thanks, Mark

April 13, 2010

April 14, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Ego is something we all have.  Some more than others.  It can be at an unhealthy level and some people are not very self aware. I noticed in my running tonight that as people or cars would come by, I was making sure to be running and keeping a good pace.  When they passed, my pace would slow.  I started paying attention and sure enough without thinking, I was running at times for show and was totally unaware.  Wonder if we do that in all our actions?  Behavior for the purpose of being seen but not behavior that is us and doing so totally unaware.  Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is deceitful above all.  It is good to guard our hearts and to inspect every thought and action against the Word of the Lord.  Even in a time when I escape in exercise, my worldly spirit tries to take over.  Thank you Lord for your great wisdom to offer a sacrifice for us all that is perfect and everlasting, covering our sins and failings once and for all.  Everyday make us better and help us to maturity in you.  In Jesus name I ask for us all.  Amen

Training Prep

Went out and ran 4 miles tonight at a 10:30 pace.  Wasn’t sure but thought I might have shin splints.  Shin muscles sure were sore and still are but I think it is just from getting back to the hard surface.  Did OK and not shin splints.  Will start wearing the sock for PF.  When it is really bad and I get up in the morning, I can hardly walk it is so painful.  The sock will hold back my toes and stretch the connective tissue across the bottom of my foot not allowing it to contract and hurt.  When I am running, I do OK then a knot develops on the ball of my foot and running is painful and make me have to stop and stretch.  Getting a little burned out on training so might back off a little.  Want to enjoy the experience.

April 12, 2010

April 13, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Deuteronomy 6 of the Old Testament is a chapter where Moses is telling the people about how loving God will benefit them in their lives.  It has instructions on ways to behave and to make sure your children and family are in sinc with the Lord.  In our Sunday class, an oberservation was made that our children and all the people we come into contact have chalk board and each of us are given a piece of chalk every day and we have an opportunity to write on the chalkboard of everyone we come in contact with today and everyday.  The world will work to erase the good that is written.  It is important to get up every day and recognize the opportunity we have been given.  On our children we must write and write  and write so when the world starts to erase, there is so much written, the world will never get it all.  On those who we may only get to write on their board once, we must be thoughtful and maximize our opportunity.  This will help us to “enjoy long life”  v 2b. 

Note:  We are moving the pennies up.  Please keep passing on the website and asking people to pledge.  We still don’t have the penetration we need, the people of Haiti need. 

Training Prep

My legs were really sore after the long run outside.  Ran only 2.5 miles yesterday only  as a loosen up.  Then walked another.  Took the stick and rolled out the legs but shins are still really sore today.  Took a  rest day and will be back at it tomorrow.   Most likely will do 4 miles outside to continue on the hard surfaces.

April 10, 2010

April 11, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Yesterday I had an opportunity to present to a fairly large number of people.  The purpose of my presentation was to challenge the audience to use what they had learned for the last couple of days.  In the morning, I attended a meeting where Dr McKeag talked about his time in Haiti, just days after the earthquake.  I had not really had an emotional reaction since my time in Haiti as we have been on the run since our return.  I listened to his stories of providing medical attention to the injured using whatever they could in the absense of the best medical equipment.  How in order to save lives, they had to perform proceedures in tough conditions.  He was telling about how some aftershocks were so frightening, that all the injured moved out of the building they were using as a hospital, pulling out IV’s and limping on broken bones to get into the yard and would not go back inside.   Some died as they jumped to their deaths to flee and some were injured further.  Then I was asked to tell what I had seen.  I could hardly speak.  Knowing the conditions I saw and thinking of the injured returning to those conditions or worse, they have no chance or very slim odds of surviving.  Death will be slow and painful if not from infections then disease or starvation.   There are extimated to be 70,000 amputees for the earthquake.  It is hard enough for a person with all their limbs and parts in order.  For these it will be especially trying.   As I prepared my remarks for the afternoon, I had a section telling people they should know what success looks like.  I was beginning to feel bad about this cause because I was hoping the word of Run Mark Run would spread  a lot faster.   I had not idea how viral marketing would work but reaching a million pennies was a “why not”.  If your following this you know we are just over 250.  So in my slump, I tested some facts.  Peirre Garcon who plays for the Colts has a foundation that is raising money for food in Haiti.  He was coming in with NWHCM as we were leaving.  NWHCM can get all the food they want for free.  It cost approximatly $14,ooo to ship a container of food.  10 containers of food will feed approximately 10,000 people one meal a day for 365 days.  So, about $14 will feed one person one meal a day for a year.  If we were raising money for food.  Those few pennies we have raised to date, if I can pass 2,000 people,  would feed over 300 people for a year.  If I can pass 4,000 we could feed over 600 people once a day for a year.  I have lost a little of my sight of success.  It is small but it is not bad.  What ever we raise is good and I am grateful for those who have joined to help.  I pray that God will breath on this effort and give it an extra lift.  I ask in the name of Jesus.

Training Prep

Did 8 miles today and it was hard.  A hilly path so I admit to walking some.  Back on the hard surfaces.  Got to do it.  Have to be sure to roll out my leg muscles as my plantarfacitis gets really bad and then the bottom of my feet start to hurt when I run.  Have a sock I will have to start wearing to sleep that keeps my toes drawn back and helps.  Tomorrow,  lengthy work on the eliptical.

April 8, 2010

April 9, 2010

Spiritual Prep

The “mission” has several works that surround the core purpose (read yesterday).  The main ones I saw (you can go to their website and read more) is childrens homes, a birthing center, special needs children, elder care, feeding programs, schools and Church planting/building.  There are more I am sure but these are the ones front and center operating on a daily basis.    I will start with the special needs children.  The Miriam Center is where it happens.  The overseer is Courtney Pierce.  She is a real gem full of energy and vitality with a real heart for these children.  These kids are usually abandoned or will die because the family can’t or won’t take care of them due to their disability.  Courtney believes no child should die alone and currently has a child she is nursing hoping to save.  He is so small and under nourished they don’t expect him to make it, yet they will try.  When CJ was there last year, a small child named Kinderson was in the same shape.  He was rocked, fed and loved.  CJ got to see him having made it and crawling around healthy and lively.  Each life is important or the Lord wouldn’t have made it so.  Courtney and the people who work at the Miriam Center are larger than life yet they most likely will never touch your life.  They are touching the lives of God’s special needs children in Haiti.  Pray for her and those like her who take our place on the firing line.  We love you girl! 

Training Prep

Rode the bike for 1 1/2 hours today.  Was going to step it up to 2 hours but had a meeting so got what I got.   Probably will take a rest day tomorrow and do a long run on Saturday.  Felt good.  Really sweating a lot with the weather change.   At a good point weight wise.  Still have to watch what I eat but going to smaller meals and healthy mid morning and afternoon snacks helps.   I am continuing to lose a little and don’t really need to.   Sleeping good.  Cold gone.