+FillUs

The Training for Solidarity run took place yesterday. I braved the cold with many runners to finish a 15k run, although my original intent was to run 10. I mistaken the 10k turn-around as the 5K and kept going. The last 5k was hard but the first 2-3 k of the 5 was the hardest. I could feel my body soar and was breathing heavily. During the last 2k my body seemed to have regulated into the new (weary) condition and cooperated again. The satisfaction afterwards weighted off the hard work. It was worthwhile, for myself and Haiti. The result of fundraising amount came in last night. The run raised a total of $75,000. A big pat on the shoulder for all those who participated and contributed in any way.

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot

This year, I decided to run. Running was never my thing. A few years ago when I did my first sprint triathlon, running was my least favourite. I get bored easily, I am not motivated, I just don’t like it. So this year, I decide to overcome my dislike and fear of running. To keep myself motivated, I set a goal to run a half-marathon when next season comes around. I have also put my money down for a pair of good running shoes and pants. Most importantly, I’ve started running. In all honesty, there is perhaps nothing easier to learn than to learn running. Just go.

My thoughts were still lingering on architecture and culture this morning. In Cairo Museum, we saw a lot of coffins. Each of them has painting of some guardian creatures with wings covering a large amount of surface to symbolize protection. Our tour guide pointed out that the Ark of covenant employed the same kind of symbolism. In 1 King: Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. (1 King 8:6) Between these wings, the Lord met and spoke with Moses (Num. 7:89; Ex. 25:22), and between these wings was the mercy seats where God promised to appear (Leviticus 16:2). These symbols would mean nothing if the receiving end doesn’t click. But of course the Israelites understood these Egyptian symbols for living in Egypt for generations and being assimilated into their culture. God could and was willing to use pagan symbols to get His message across. The ten plague teac...

…knowing God is a relational and responsive reality characterized by learning and growth where ever greater knowing is rightly accompanied by ever greater humility of unknowing. R.W.L. Moberly, How May We Speak of God, Tyndale Bulletin 53.2 (2002).

On January 30th (Saturday), Runner’s Den (Westdale & Hamilton) is partnering up with Runner’s Free (Toronto) to host 2 simultaneous run, Training for Solidarity, in effort to raise funds for relief and long term projects in Haiti. I met with the owner of Runner’s Den, Esther Pauls this morning. She has a long term relationship with Haiti since 1991. Upon seeing the devastation in Haiti during her first trip, she started Hope and Joy for Haiti, a ministry supported by dedicated volunteers who offer their time and energy to help the children and people of Haiti. Since then, they have built schools and churches, and catalyzed other capacity building projects. Looking into the future, Hope and Joy for Haiti hopes to begin an empowering micro-finance programs to equip Haitians with practical skills and provide fundings for small business that will bring about sustaining change. Esther’s passion for Haitians is not letting her just sit and watch and you could do something as well! Ways t...