Back to Training

Last week, Peggy and Cindy resumed their training.  Last Saturday, seven weeks after Peg broke her ankle, they walked/jogged eight miles.  Her ankle/foot feels fine.  The soreness stems mainly from painting (up and down a step ladder) than any of the training.  Peggy continues to wear the brace prescribed by the doctor.  In addition, she has been using compression socks, which many runner favor.



Praise God!  Cindy and Peggy are more determined than ever to finish the marathon.

We had another surprise donation of $200 last week, raising our total to $1,882, or 22% of our goal.  We're not sure how, but we've little doubt that the goal will be reached.

Amazing News x2

Today, at the start of the new year, we have the most amazing news to report.

#1: Dear friends of ours generously donated $1,000.  By any standards, that's a lot of money.  In their words, they realized how much more that means to a family like Muia's than anything that it represents for us here in America.  The money can completely uproot them from their dire circumstances and give them hope for the future.  Thank you Jeff and Andrea for the love and compassion you've always shown and are showing now with your generosity!!

#2: Peg is off her boot and had her left shoe on for the first time since the injury.  As you can imagine, it felt weird and she's still walking gingerly with a brace.  But that didn't stop her from going to the gym and putting in some on the bike and elliptical.  She's determined to run (or at least walk) the marathon this year.  Soon, she hopes to be able to begin training on the roads again with Cindy.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Friends, we're so encouraged.  Both of these updates add to our certainty that this will happen.  Together, we WILL have enough to acquire a home for Muia's family and completely change their lives for the better.

Praise God and thank you all for your continued support and prayers.  Happy New Year, indeed!

Year End Update

A couple of months ago, this journey started -- one that will end with a home for Muia's family.

• Peggy and Cindy had been training until Peggy's injury.  They hope to resume training in January.
• Peggy, thankfully, did not require a cast.  Now, about 5 weeks after the injury, she's able to walk without the boot.  She will need the brace for the indefinite future, including during the actual marathon.
• Marites, our cousin in N. California, wants to run the marathon and has been training with her husband Gil and on her own.  
• We're closing in on 10% of the fundraising goal.

Fundraising can be distasteful.  I know we're all bombarded with pleas, especially at the end of the year.  However, one of the blessings during this journey is to witness the response from unexpected places.

• A niece and nephew who chose to have the money that would've gone to their Christmas presents be redirected to the fund.
• A 90+ year old aunt who's giving so much more than the monetary donation.  (She wakes up before dawn each morning for hours of prayer.)
• Friends from church who've donated money and even jewelry to be sold for the fund.
• High school friends who've expressed an interest supporting this effort.
• People we don't know and/or who choose to remain unknown.

UPDATE: (Thanks to Paul, the Director of Tumaini in Kenya, I got these updated pictures of Muia today!)

For those who may be wondering, the donations go to Tumaini Ministries and is tax-deductible.  If you're so inclined, you may donate by clicking below.

Injury/Training Update

Peggy's ankle continues to heal.  She now walks with the boot and brace but no longer relies on the crutches.  There's some residual pain, especially after being on her feet for some time.  Peggy's toughness and determination continue to amaze me.

With the holidays and Peggy's injury, it's been harder for Cindy to train.  However, she's faithfully put in time on the treadmill and, I'm sure, can't wait for Peggy to be back on the roads with her.

Marites, our cousin, also plans to run the marathon.  She got a later start than Peggy and Cindy but has already run 8-miles.

Down But Not Out

For the last two and a half weeks, Peggy's been in pain.  While running 10-miles with Cindy, Peggy took a tumble.  What we'd suspected was a sprain turned into a chipped bone.  Thankfully, a cast isn't required though Peggy will be in a boot through December.

I share this to give you a glimpse of my amazing wife.  While others would see this as a reason to bow out, her greatest concern throughout this injury is that she would not be able to complete this run for Muia with Cindy.  Though slowed, this injury will not stop her.  Rather, the crutches and the boot have offered her opportunities to share about Miles for Muia.

If anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,  so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever.

(1 Pe 4:11,HCSB)