Lets Change the World Together – Running for Sudan

After reading an inspiring book “Take Your Best Shot” and coupling that with the Biblical mandate to help those who are in need. I decided to run the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon to raise support for the children of Sudan. That run is complete but the donations for the children are still coming in. The last count is around $1700.00 that has been given.

Thank you to all who have supported and I pray that you consider giving again and also telling your friends what I am doing. I am excited about the fact that Holston Conference wants to build a home for homeless children in Southern Sudan Africa and I just believe that God can build it through those who run and those who give. Lets be the miracle these children need.

With the Atlanta Marathon now being history, I am now signed up for the Myrtle Beach Marathon February 13th, 2009.

Thats right, I am running again and this time there is the possibility of two people joining me and raising money for the children as well. I am excited about the possibilities.

If you would like to support, send your check to 1st Hillsville United Methodist Church, C/O Ronnie G Collins PO Box 356 Hillsville Virginia 24343. Make the check to Holston Conference and on the remit line “Hope for the children of Sudan”.

Why not do something you love and help others at the same time? Together we can change the world!

Our Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church has partnered with Southern Sudan to help with the needs there and there is a possibility that I could travel there on a mission trip in the future. In the mean time I want to do something to help the children.

Here is how it will work. I will travel to Myrtle Beach in February and run the 26.2 mile Marathon on February 13th Day in honor of and support of The Children of Sudan Africa, “Hope for the Children”.

Every gift that is given will go to support the children of Sudan, “Hope for the Children”. I will personally pay all of the expenses of entering the race as well as transportation to and from Myrtle Beach.

I have a Goal of $2620.00 that is $100.00 per mile.

Help me meet the goal but more importantly help the children of Sudan.

There are several ways that you can support.

# 1 is in your prayers

26 people (youth groups, UMW, UMM, any group)could donate $100

Donate $1 for every mile = 26 dollars

Donate $5 for every mile = 130 dollars

Donate $10 for every mile = 260 dollars

Donate $20 for every mile = 520 dollars

Donate $100 for every mile = 2600 dollars

or simply Donate Any $ Amount

Special Opportunity – You could join me in the run and help raise money for the Children! The Marathon limit is filling fast but you could still run with me if you hurry.

My goal is simply to raise as much money as possible and have fun doing it. I am inviting people (Runners) who would like to help raise money for the children of Sudan to join me in the run. You can sign up to run at

http://www.mbmarathon.com/site3.aspx

Make your checks payable to: The Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church or The Holston UMC

Designate your Check “Hope for the Children of Sudan”

Mail to: Ronnie G Collins, PO Box 356, Hillsville Virginia 24343

I will compile the checks and get them to Holston Conference on behalf of the children. You will receive a letter from me to signify when the gift is received.

I am excited to see just what Miracle the Lord will do.

Ronnie

Hope for the
Children of Sudan

Here‘s what is happening…

In the past two decades, more than 2 million people have lost their lives through violence, disease and starvation in southern Sudan due to a North vs. South civil war.

In Western Sudan, in the Darfur region, the Coalition for International Justice released a report in April, 2005 stating that approximately 400,000 men, women and children had been killed due to genocide in the region.

Years of food shortage, displaced children/families, and disease have forced millions (35 million+) to live in crowded refugee camps. Thousands have died and continue to die, needlessly.

This is Sudan, a country in crisis.

A Story from the Bible

Matthew 25:35-40

³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Here is a message from our Holston Conference UMC Bishop, James Swanson

This Day In The Life Of Your Pastor – December 3rd, 2009

1. It has been a blessed day and I am really tired. Taking Thursday off, need it about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

2. We have 42 at Out of the Box tonight. God is at work! about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

3. “She [Mary] will give birth 2 a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 about 15 hours ago from TwitterBerry

4. But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.  O Israel, the one who formed you says,”Do not be afraid, … http://read.ly/Isa43.1.NLT about 17 hours ago from API

5. We are all looking 4 a relationship that won’t let us down. God is the only one who can fill that empty place & never let us down. about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry

6. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. http://read.ly/1Pet5.7.NLT about 17 hours ago from API

7. You are precious to God! about 17 hours ago from TwitterBerry

8. post office, bank, errand, quick bite for dinner, Out of the Box, its a party! about 17 hours ago from web

9. I’m writing my story every day, what about you? https://imagebearer.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/im-writing-my-story-every-day-what-about-you/ about 18 hours ago from web

10. I believe that you should be the change that you want to see in the world about 18 hours ago from web

11. been shaving my head for 8 years & never injured it. just ran N2 a light fixture N church attic & man does it hurt. shaving will B difficult about 18 hours ago from web

12. I have taken 220 e-mails down to 20, now stay! about 18 hours ago from web

13. working on NRV Prison Outreach Gifts for kids, still need folks who will purchase gifts for kids, let me know about 18 hours ago from web

14. Bill is setting up my outlook mail to work with Yahoo and to that I say Yahoo! about 19 hours ago from web

15. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. — Proverbs 31:30 about 19 hours ago from web

16. working with the Cluster on 50 Golden Days of Evangelism, God is at Work! about 19 hours ago from web

17. John Wesley was a World Changer, He was a Busy Man! about 20 hours ago from web

18. Wondering? Do I have a meeting in Tennessee tomorrow??? about 20 hours ago from web

19. working on Easy Worship Instillation on the laptop and desktop about 20 hours ago from web

20. Sr Yth Fundraiser Sat selling fresh Christmas greenery arrangements “OOTB” 2- 4 pm. after parade/tree lighting w/ cocoa, music & fellowship. about 20 hours ago from web

21. Time is running out: December 2, 2009 The Marathon is 75% full (640 spots remaining) THE HALF MARATHON IS SOLD OUT!! about 18 hours ago from web

22. Headed to the office about 19 hours ago from TwitterBerry

23. Doing laundry about 20 hours ago from TwitterBerry

24. Ironing clothes about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

25. Looking 4 partner churches in Carroll to help us host Team Impact. No financial investment just time and people. Let me know if interested about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

26. Working from home, trying 2 schedule dates 4 Team Impact 2010 and working on Witness Team 50 Holden Days. Need to lay it all aside and relax about 22 hours ago from TwitterBerry

27. Clergy buddy just called to give me a hard time for having the morning off. Lol about 23 hours ago from TwitterBerry

28. Myrtle Beach Marathon Countdown 71 DAYS | 23 HRS | 32 MINS | 37 SECONDS 4:58 AM Dec 2nd from web

29. had hoped to run but it is raining pretty hard, think I will just take another rest day