Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

11 DAYS TO GO

April 25, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  One of the most important things about Run Mark Run is that almost 100% of your contributions go straight to the charity.   There is hardly anything taken from the funds except for some very small advertising costs.   This is great considering how some fund raisers work.  Friends are working so hard and I want them to know how grateful I am for their help.  The Indianapolis Star did an article on what we are all doing together.  I hope it will attract attention for the people of Haiti.  If you spend time on http://www.nwhcm.org  there are great stories and pictures about the people and those serving them with your help.  We are close.

Training:  Walked and ran 3 miles with CJ and turned around and did the same with Jenny.  Felt pretty good except the foot is still acting up.  This weekend, Jenny and I are doing the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati

12 DAYS TO GO

April 24, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  Happy Easter!   As the country of Haiti struggles in so many ways, there is good news as well. The launch of the first Living Food Bank aquaponic system will bring fresh fish and vegetables to many. The construction of this system is nearing completion on the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission (NWHCM) campus in Saint Louis Du Nord, Haiti and the training for the individuals who will oversee the operation of the system has begun in Montello, Wisconsin.  This has the possibility of teaching communities how to feed themselves and take care of a whole village.  Incredible project that holds hope.  Your contributions go to help Haitians feed themselves. 

Training:  Ran and walked 4 miles yesterday with Jenny, after a full days work at our get away place.   Will get another 4 miles in today.  We have a 1 mile hill to climb right off the bat, gets the heart rate up quick.

13 DAYS TO GO

April 23, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  Huddled in a room, praying to God, afraid, worried and full of sorrow.  The Master was dead and gone.  Something was wrong-something-something needed to happen.  What are we to do?  What are we to do?  I have no idea if this was the emotion and thoughts going on in the minds of the disciples after the death of Jesus and before the resurrection.  As I ponder the scriptures and think of my reactions to it all, scattered with scattered thinking is what I am sure I would have done.  Many will come to Church tomorrow to seek and ask “What are we to do?”.  On the other spectrum, some will come for the second annual visit to Church (other is Christmas).   I give thanks to our Brother, the first of us willing to offer his life as a sacrifice for my life which is nonredeemable by any other means.  The rest of us are the Church.  Like Jenny said in one of her blogs, getting consistantly into a community of believers is key to spiritual growth.  It is a place where we huddle, and pray to God,  some afraid, some worried, and some full of sorrow.   There, something will happen, there we will learn what we are to do.  HE IS RISEN– Matthew 28: 6,  and he lives in us– Galatians 2:20.  Enjoy the Lord!

Training:  Ran 4 miles on Thursday.  I usually listen to the IPod and chose Ray Boltz, Moments of the Heart.  I don’t know if it is just the time of the year all coming together, but cried through at least half the run.  Wonderful music and wonderful words.  Worshiping while running is a great combination.

14 DAYS TO GO

April 22, 2011

Jenny Baker Here:  Being a new Mom, I’ve been reflecting on 1 Timothy 4:12 where Paul says to his young mentee, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  I believe there are children living in Haiti who will make a major difference in God’s kingdom even in the midst of the brokenness of the country.  I remember visiting the voodoo capital while I was there and telling children Jesus loves them only to have them look me in the face, point to the ground and say, no satan. I shudder as I write these words. They don’t know any better.   Contrast that with the day I walked into the mission and heard the most angelic sound. I can still hear the soprano voices of the children’s choir practicing in the afternoon air. They sang, “this is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it.”   I sing that song to my Luci every morning when we get up. I believe God still changes the world through children. I have to believe it or why else would I bring a life into it?  There are so many children in Haiti who, just like Luci, have the potential to do amazing things if given the chance. This chance looks like physical care through medicine, emotional care through loving arms and spiritual care through the local church body.

RunMarkRun will help develop these children into leaders who will change the face and future of Haiti. They will help eradicate poverty. They will usher in a new belief of love and grace, justice with mercy. They will set an example for the believers in all they do. Your money, will be used to develop the lives of future kingdom warriors.

Training: Headed out of town this weekend and worried about managing a baby, a dog, all the stuff that comes with a baby and a husband (thank goodness he doesn’t need managing!) Making exercise a priority is hard with a new baby. But….when I keep at it, despite being dog tired, it helps me be a better mom and wife.  I just have to get over what I call my weenie wall. It’s that point where you just don’t think you can keep going, the point when you’re too exhausted to take one more step. If you pause, mentally back-up and run as hard as you can through it, on the other side is that great feeling of accomplishment .You can do it!

15 DAYS TO GO

April 21, 2011

Hey guys Baker here,   This’ll be my fifth year running this thing with my Dad and each year it gets better and better. It’s always interesting to experience the difference between running a race with community, verses running a race solo.  While I have no doubt Dad could run and conquer the 13.1 miles by himself, having community run with him, adds so much. Community offers encouragement, direction and resources.  When we get to mile 7, and we enter the track, I know Dad’s feet are gonna start hurting him. So a quick pep talk helps him focus. I also know he won’t be able to focus on anything but running so, we’ll run in front of him to lead the way between all the runners (yes I promise we pass some). Dad also must remember to fuel himself and so we hand him water or a shot block to eat. All of these contributions help Dad finish his race.  God calls us to be in community with one another daily. And not just local community. The church, God’s people, are called to provide encouragement, direction and resources to each other locally and globally.

I’ve been to Haiti and experienced the desperate need for international community. I’ve watched as a baby died from malnutrition. I was there when a family, in the middle of the night, abandoned their handicapped daughter at the gates of the mission because they couldn’t care for her. I know first-hand how the Haitian people long for the American church to be in community with them.  That community looks like providing encouragement, direction and resources.

RunMarkRun will do all these things. With the money you pledge Haitians will be encouraged, directed and resourced both spiritually and physically. Clean water will be given, vaccinations preventing fatal illness will be administered and the beautiful love of Jesus will be shared.  What race are you running? Are you running solo or are you running in community offering encouragement, direction and resources?

Training:10 weeks ago I had my first baby. Getting back into running has reminded me of why I never got out of running; it’s way too hard to start again. I’m going slow and cross-training. Interesting tidbit: the hormone relaxin stays in a woman’s body up to 6 months post-partum. This hormone relaxes all the joints and ligaments making a woman extremely susceptible to injury. I’m learning that at this point in my training, core work is much more important for my success in the race, than cardio  – Jenny Baker