Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

fundraising

#Run4Refugees: My journey is finished; for millions of people, it continues

Hi, I’m Lisa, and I take terrible selfies when I’m trying to walk and run.

This morning I completed a virtual 5K called “Running From 2020” because let’s be honest, that’s all I’ve wanted to do this year is escape. But those final three miles were also the last of my 20-mile quest for CWS’ Run4Refugees campaign. Running from and running for. My life encompasses a bit of both.

So, here were are at the end of this fundraising journey. For me, it’s over. I completed 20 miles on foot this week, running 15 of them, walking 5. That’s an incredible feat for my feet. (The jokes are free, folks!) Even though I’m finished, the journey for millions of people around the world continues or is just beginning. The journey of a refugee is long and winding, often with years of waiting. So just because I’m done with these miles, please don’t think that the refugee crisis is over.

Consider donating today.

And now, my final three reasons for accepting this challenge:

18. Running (or traveling) long distances requires a support team. I’ve never run more than five miles, but as a family we are increasing our hiking miles. We were on the Appalachian Trail a few weeks ago, talking about how through-hikers get the supplies they need from strategic outposts along the trail. Any kind of running race has water stops and support personnel. Ultramarathoners take people with them for medical and other needs. For refugees, CWS and organizations like them are the support team. Imagine traveling for hundreds of miles without knowing when the next food or water stop might be. (If I don’t know there’s going to be a bathroom stop on a trip of more than 2 hours, I start to get nervous!) Imagine not knowing how much of your own supplies to pack and what might be available when you get there. Refugees need a support team for their journey, and I’m honored to be part of it in any small way.

19. Just because something is hard or difficult doesn’t mean it’s bad or you’ve done something wrong. Also, pain is part of the process. My legs were hurting today as I ran. Which they should have been considering not only did I run and walk 20 miles this week, I also worked for five days. I’ve thought in the past that if some part of my life is difficult, it must mean I’ve done something wrong. If the income isn’t enough to pay the bills, if it feels like we’re being pulled in too many directions, if life hurts … but sometimes that’s just the way it goes. People who leave their homes to become refugees are facing a difficult road. But that doesn’t mean they chose the wrong path. Anything I can do to make it easier, I want to do.

20. Humanity is worth fighting for. Even the ugly parts. The trash fire that is this year has made me wonder if letting humans run wild with the earth and each other was a colossal mistake. One time, on a hike, when I saw the number of spotted lanternflies (an invasive species that is threatening trees in our area of Pennsylvania) in small area, I quipped, “Maybe we should just let them have the planet.” Some days I want to give up the fight because it’s hard. But then I see beautiful things worth fighting for, and I remember that even the ugliest most detestable things in our world can be redeemed. Humanity is worth it. I’ll keep telling myself this even when evidence proves otherwise. Joining CWS in this fight is one way to keep the faith that all is not lost and the world can be made right.

Thank you for reading and following along with me on this journey! I hope you’ve learned something new about refugees or were reminded why fighting for what we believe in is worth it. And, please, consider making a small donation to CWS in support of their global work.

Take care!

#Run4Refugees Day 5: Another mile, another reason

I’ve logged 14 miles now on the quest to 20, with two more days left in the week. That means some longish runs over the next two days, but today was chock-full and my body needed a little bit of rest anyway.

And that allows for more attention to the next reason I’m doing this challenge. (If you missed them, you can catch up on the previous reasons: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.)

14. Not all refugees are fleeing war or poverty. Some are forced to flee because of discrimination: their sexual orientation or religious practice or even genetic differences like ablinism. Discrimination of any kind is detestable to me. So, I’m running (and walking) to raise money that supports safe spaces for refugees who have been discriminated against. CWS has programs in Kenya and South Africa specifically dedicated to welcoming, protecting and standing up for LGBTQI refugees.

According to the organization: “There are very few safe spaces around the world that protect someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity; in many countries, homophobia is still the norm, even to the point where same-sex activity is considered a punishable crime.  And unfortunately, some of the worst hate comes from communities who claim faith. It means that these refugees live in constant fear for their lives wherever they go, even in the sanctuary of a church.” 

One component of their Safe Space program is a training center for faith leaders where pastors and community leaders are challenged to break down their own internal barriers that add to the daily dangers faced by LGBTQI refugees.

I believe my faith and the affirmation of LGBTQI individuals are not at odds, so I am proud to support this work with my miles and my money.

Donations are still being doubled through the end of the week, and thanks to you, I reached my next goal of $500 raised in support of refugees! That number can always go higher, though!