Learning to Fly

While looking around the room at the make up of people present at a recent prayer meeting for Cambodia I was again surprised at who was there.  Out of the 15 people present 12 were women and 3 were men.  This started me thinking back to another time when I was at a Conference on dealing with the problems associated with the sexual exploitation of children in the World.  Out of 180 people who attended, 5 were men.  This inspired me and I wrote about how one man can make a difference in the World citing examples of Hitler, Stalin, and Pol Pot for bad, and Moses, William Wilberforce, and Abraham Lincoln for good.  

 

In my six years of being a volunteer for Ratanak International the numbers have stayed the same.  Approximately 8 out of every ten volunteers I have seen are woman.  This begs the question "If  evil men are responsible for the ruining of young children`s lives through their sexual depravity, how come more good men are not coming forward to help these children put their lives back together?"

 

I am most definitely not a Saint and it is only by the grace of God that I have become involved in restoring these children's lives.  At the same meeting mentioned above a lady was praying for the abusers to stop abusing these children.  As she prayed so beautifully I was thinking of how I would like to stop them- with a baseball bat.

 

This invitation is open to all male or female, I only know of my reasons why I found it hard to become involved.  Quite possibly not Uncle Sam, but a much higher authority may be calling you.

 

 

 

 

This quote is from Lisa Cheong, a woman working for Ratanak International in Cambodia.  These words came about after she confronted a French pedophile who was trying to purchase a young girl for sexual purposes.

 

"together we are called to be modern day Moses who God is sending forth to seek justice on behalf of the oppressed into places like Cambodia, a hot bed for sex tourism and sex trafficking.

 

This battle is not for the faint hearted, it can wear you down, it will disturb your spirit when you hear and read of man`s inhumanity to a child, it will require more than you and I can ever give but none the less, it is worth it- it is a fight for life, it is a fight for dignity, it is a fight for freedom, it is a fight for hope, and it is a fight for love."

 

These words resonate deeply within me.  Lisa uses the example of Moses who the Bible teaches us delivered Israel from slavery out of Egypt.  We remember the ten plagues brought down on Egypt, we remember Moses parting the Red Sea with his staff, we think of Moses and all the great things he did.  Sometimes we overlook Moses`s humble beginning.

God spoke to Moses in the burning bush, telling him that Moses was to deliver Israel, Moses did not exactly start jumping up and down for joy.

 

Exodus 3

 

 11 Moses said "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Exodus 4
 

10 Moses said "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, I am slow of speech and tongue."

13  But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to it."

 

The latest numbers I have are that currently 27 million people in the world live in slavery.  Over 2 million are children living in forced prostitution, at least 30 000 of these live in Cambodia.  This is a multi Billion dollar industry.

 

I believe my whole life will pass with these numbers virtually unchanged, or even getting worse.  For some that may seem overwhelming; that is giving a large number of years to a cause that may never change.  Many people I know are so stressed about time constraints it is hard for them to commit to anything.

 

For those who are new to this blog I run one full Marathon every Spring for the exploited children in Cambodia.  I came across this fact recently, only 0.5 percent of the population will ever run one full Marathon.

For some, thinking of a lifetime involvement for exploited children may seem like running a marathon.  I thought back to some people who have come and gone in the Toronto Core Group for Ratanak International.  Early on I remember a person who was such an important part of the group moving on to another calling.  I was really concerned as this woman was such a big part of the group that I thought it would be impossible to replace her.  The amazing thing is that when someone leaves someone else joins.  God has always provided the right people at the right time.

 

Not everyone will be able to commit to a lifetime of volunteering, as many cannot run a full Marathon.

 

The Mississauga marathon has an interesting feature which my wife Gloria thought of our family doing one day in the future.  It is a relay for people to run a full marathon.  3 people run 10km and the last person runs 12km.  Individually these people may not be able to run a marathon, but collectively they can.  My experience has been that these people are the most supportive, when you run past them their cheers are the loudest.

 

I thought of the many people who have crossed paths with me in my work for Ratanak International.

Some are on the life long path, while others carry the baton for a while and than pass it off to someone else who takes over for them.  Both types of people are needed.

 

Fear may also be a factor.  Billion dollar illegal activities are controlled by very powerful, very ruthless men.  The selling of young children for sexual exploitation shows the lack of moral decency these men have.  Factor in a large number of consumers who obviously have no ethics of their own.  Last but not least if you believe in good and evil, Heaven and Hell, Angels and Demons, God and Satan it is quite obvious which forces are behind each side in this battle.

 

I would like to share an example from my recent family vacation about fear and what it may cost you.

 

While trying to figure out which extra activities our family would try out in Punta Cana we settled on para sailing.  We balanced the cost, and the uniqueness of this activity.  We figured that we could see Dolphins, water ski, or go on a party boat in Canada but as far we knew we could not para sail.

 

I made a deal with a salesman for a company that I felt was fair and waited for the perfect day to try this out.  I was to take the pictures as para sailing was expensive, and we thought it would be nice for the girls to be together for this.

 

Gloria was all for it, calm, cool Katarina was ready and Isabella my youngest daughter who usually is full of bravado started out all in favour of it, than started showing signs of fear.

 

This is extremely out of character, as usually we have to try and rein in Isabella as she usually has no fear.  As the day approached Isabella told us "she had changed her mind, and she did not want to go."

 

Sensing if I did not hurry this issue was going to become bigger.  I found the salesman and completed our deal.

 

On the beach Isabella told us again "she did not want to go."  Gloria and I told her "to trust us, we will not let you get hurt."

 

My family was taken to a boat that was to take us out the deeper waters of the Ocean where the para sail boat waited for us.

 

The water was very rough, and we had trouble getting on our life jackets.  To really frighten Isabella our boat driver smashed into the para sail boat almost having me drop our camera into the Ocean.

 

I looked at my family as they were being hooked up to the parachute harness.  Isabella had a look of abject terror, and was shivering I mouthed the words again to her "trust me."

 

They took off and a miraculous event happened, Isabella instantly loved the feeling of flying, forgot all of her fears and yelled out something along the lines of "now I am all grown up."

 

 

 

 

 

These are some of the words from a Tom Petty song called Learning to Fly

Learning to Fly

 

  I`m learning to fly, but I ain`t got wings

  Coming down is the hardest thing

   Well some say life will beat you down

  Break your heart, steal your crown

  So I`ve started out, for God knows where

  I guess I`ll know when I get there

   I`m learning to fly, but I ain`t got wings

  Coming down is the hardest thing

 

These words sum up my involvement so far as a volunteer for Ratanak International.  I am learning to fly but I don`t have wings.  God only knows where I am to go, and the biggest truth is that coming down is the hardest thing.

 

My biggest high in life is when my foot crosses the finishing line of whichever marathon I have chosen.  Most times I do not know if I am going to be able to finish the race right until this moment.  Every other distraction in my life goes away and at this moment I believe I am taken to a view that is out of this World.  These feeling do not last and I must come down, yet I  hunger and thirst for more.

 

Possibly some of you, my readers, are like Isabella was at the beginning of the para sail Adventure.

 

At one time you may have thought about becoming involved but now fear, and doubts have set in, leaving you paralysed.  As I look back on my Families example I see an important similarity to my involvement in the lives of these children.

 

We did not send Isabella on the para sail by herself.  We did say trust us, BUT Gloria her Mother went with her.  If you have been called to this ministry Jesus will be with you every step of the way, the same as Gloria was with Isabella, the same as God was with Moses.

 

Larry 

I walk soft

Writing is a funny thing. I boarded a plane at Toronto Pearson Airport on January 14 with no ideas and no plans of writing anything and returned home on January 21 with a head full of ideas, hardly being able to contain my excitement waiting to write this out.

I left for this trip tense, coming off a two week flu, very concerned about how my preparation for the Cleveland Marathon was going. I arrived home relaxed, refreshed, almost Healthy, and remembered if indeed I am called to run for the victims of sexual slavery in Cambodia God will find a way for me. I left the beaches of Punta Cana Dominican Republic with daily temperatures of 31C to Toronto`s weather of -28C.

 

I arrived home to 44 emails and 24 phone calls. I cannot write on demand, when asked to I really struggle for the right words. This writing came naturally, very easily. I have been told by a few people my writings are too long, sorry but I must go with the flow.

 

This was my first trip to a Tropical resort in four years and I was a little apprehensive of how I would enjoy this trip. As I get older I find my eyes being opened more and more. Things I would not have noticed when younger I see clearly now. Going to a resort in a less developed Country was going to be a challenge.

 

Besides the obvious prayers of protection for my Family I asked God to open our eyes to see what He wanted us to see, I also asked if there was to be an opportunity for me to explain about Ratanak`s work in Cambodia to not let me miss it.

 

I remember a story I read in a book from Mark Buchanan. The story went something like this; a Banquet was held in a Church. There was one table set up in the middle where the people were fed every kind of food imaginable with waiters coming around often to pamper the people of this table. The other tables had dirty water to drink placed in a pitcher in the middle of the table, very sporadically a waiter would come around and throw some old food on the table. After a while the waiter stopped coming around. The people at the table in the middle were having a great time and did not notice the people at the other tables. The people at the other tables were upset at their lack of service, and were envious of the people from the middle table. I do not remember the exact name of the theme, but it was a way for the host of this party to show the people who attended an accurate picture of the world we live in.

 

I live a life that puts me in the middle table as I suspect most of you, my readers do as well.

I read a book once where the author stated the saddest verse in the Bible is the one where Jesus tells Judas "the poor you will always have with you." I have no answers just observations from my trip and a certainty that I should be doing more than I currently am to help the people of this World who need it most.

 

The rest of this writing is about what I saw when I was away.

I can take a Vacation from most things but sexual exploitation seems to follow me I guess.

One day while running on the Beach a 40 something year old lady who was not very attractive was gesturing at me with her hands and yelling a price at me. I thought she wanted to rent me some water sports equipment and declined. The next day I ran past her again and realized she was saying "$20 for a massage" I again declined but thought to myself I wonder if her massage includes a sexual service I have heard about in the illegal Massage parlours in Toronto. A little ways up the Beach my question I believe was answered as a young, attractive girl who looked about 16 was wearing a very low halter top, and very high cut off shorts. Her asking price for a "massage" was $30.

 

In the little pamphlet I was given by a tour guide from my travel company I found these words

"We work jointly with humanitarian and environmental organizations, particularly in the protection of children`s rights and the fight against sexual tourism involving minors, to ensure tourism benefits all and protects precious resources."

 

One day while swimming in the Ocean with my Daughter Isabella she discovered a fun way of playing with the waves. She would sit on her back in shallow water and allow the waves and the strong undertow to move her rapidly through the water. Seeing how much fun she was having I soon joined her. An interesting thing happened to me that did not happen to Isabella; later on we figured out my longer legs allowed the waves more access to me and moved me around more than Isabella.

I would start with my back to the waves, as the undertow went out it would turn my legs in a counter clock wise position until I was facing the waves. Next I would be knocked flat on my back until I was lying down all the while being slowly dragged out into the Ocean. I was helpless to do anything as the strength of the undertow held my arms by my side. I could see the big waves coming rapidly towards me. One, two, three, each wave bigger than the previous would wash over me and left me a mess of salt water and sand. Isabella could not stop laughing at the sight of this happening to her Father. For me it was humbling as I realized how inconsequential my strength was compared to this force of nature, let alone the One who created this nature.

 

Later on a very sobering truth hit me. I realized when laying flat on my back in the water I was in the same position as the young girls in Cambodia are being forced into when they are raped. As much as I was powerless to break free from these waves these girls are powerless against the abusers as they enter into their rooms. As with me they will be held down and forced to do things against their will. As I was able to see the waves bearing down on me these girls will hear the footsteps coming down the hallway, they will see the doorknob turning and know that they are in for a terrible time. Unlike me who endured three waves for about fives seconds these girls will endure hours upon hours, month upon months, years upon years of repeated abuse. Many times I prayed the words quietly to myself "Thank you Lord" as I enjoyed my Vacation. That day I said my most meaningful "Thank you Lord" of the week as I realized the fire that has been put in me for the victims of sexual abuse in Cambodia cannot be extinguished even as I lived like a Prince in the lap of luxury.

 

Proverbs 23

 

1 When you sit to dine with a ruler,

note well what is before you

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to gluttony,

3 Do not crave his delicacies,

for that food is deceptive.

 

I always looked at these verses as a warning for me when looking at the really wealthy people of this World against desiring what they have. After my week away I see where these verses can apply to the people of a poorer Country such as the people I met in Punta Cana as they look at the lives we live.

The next few paragraphs are about four people I met while away and one I observed.

 

"Cheappy Willy" was a guy who Gloria met when she was taking Isabella to get beads put into her hair. He was a middle man who sold goods for a store owner. We found his prices cheaper than our Hotels gift shop. The thing that stuck out to me was in spite of his tough life was his sense of humour. We told him about seeing a stray dog at the beach and he went on to say "Dominicans do not eat Dogs." With his booming laugh he had Gloria in stitches as he went onto tell us of the various Countries around the World who do eat dog meat. To me I thought of how well this man`s skills were and how he could benefit with one of those (KIVA) no interest loans given to people. Willy would be able to purchase his own store. In Canada he would be a top salesman for a Company.

 

"Mahony Baloney" the saddest story of the week. He was Cheappy Willys sidekick and I believe the muscle of the two. When he found out we lived near Toronto he lit up as he was a huge Baseball fan and the Blue Jays now have six Dominican players on the team.

 

Later on we found out he was a minor league Baseball player with the Pittsburgh Pirates only to have his chance at the major leagues end because of an injury. He showed me a long scar where his Achilles tendon was. I thought to myself how close, yet how far. One year in Baseball could provide enough for this man to live for the rest of his life, and now he had to scratch out a living selling goods to Tourists like ourselves. One thing this man still had was his pride and his integrity. As soon as he found out we wanted Cheappy Willy he went to get him, instead of trying to undercut him, also later on he chased away other people who wanted to bother us for deals as we were with his friend.

While talking Mahony was angry only at the Dominican Baseball players who made huge sums of money only to ignore the poor back home, he spoke very highly of the ones who did come back to help out their fellow Country men. I marvelled at his lack of bitterness, as playing Baseball at a professional level in the Dominican is the equivalent of a North American person winning the lottery. This man had came so close yet had no regrets or feelings of empathy, he went on scratching out a living as best as he could.

 

Eddy Murphy an entertainer at our Hotel. Eddy works 11 straight 15 hour days than gets three days off to spend with his family. My family felt a bond with him. Isssabella was how he pronounced Isabella's name. Eddy took an interest in Katarinas Kobo, a machine which allows you to read books through a monitor. Eddy started off asking us questions about our lives, but I think what impressed him most was we took an interest in his family. Eddy has a five year old daughter, and a son on the way. Eddy told us in the Dominican a Father gives his son a bat, a ball, and a glove for his first birthday.

 

Eddy told me he had a tough start to his life and wanted to give his family chances he never had to succeed. Eddy somehow had learned to speak English, and French to go along with his native Spanish. Eddy also taught Dance lessons and asked me if I wanted to learn. In a lighter moment I told him "there was not enough vacation time in either of our lives to achieve this." Eddy never complained although sometimes at night I saw him yawning from his long day. One day when talking about the rain Eddy said "I can do nothing about the Big Man in the sky." If Eddy was born in Canada with the opportunities we have I am sure he would be a CEO of a major corporation. My highlight of Eddy was one night when no one wanted to learn to dance Eddy just danced by himself to the words of I`m yours by Jason Mraz. The look of utter peace and contentment on this young man`s face had me envious. The last day we discreetly presented Eddy with a gift of money that we hoped would help him with the purchase of his sons gift. I prayed in the Hotel room that Eddy`s son would grow up to be tall and strong and indeed become a Major league Baseball player and give Eddy and his family a break from their very tough life.

 

I do not know the next man`s name. The last day I went to the shopping mall to say goodbye to Willy and Mahony. A man saw me looking around and asked what I wanted. I told him who I was looking for, he said "they are inside with Customers, perhaps I can help you?" I declined his offer and started walking away, only to have him walk beside me. Not wanting to create any false hope I told him I was going home today and had shopped yesterday. The man said "it was okay he just wanted to walk."

 

I asked him if he played Baseball? He told me "no I am not from this Country." He went on to tell me had come to Punta Cana from Haiti 10 years ago to make a better life for himself. We talked about the Earthquake and how this man may have died if he had stayed in Haiti. As we arrived at my Hotel I told him goodbye, how much I admired the resiliency of the people I had met, and how if given opportunities that I had I am sure they would more than succeed, I wished him well in the upcoming year. To me, he took my hand, looked me in the eye and said "May God keep and protect you and your family." Shocked, and humbled still, I look forward to seeing this man again, only it will be in Heaven with him given the highest honours.

 

I wish I could stop writing now but I can`t. I could write a novel about how many acts of arrogance, and ignorance I saw my fellow Tourists committing. One stands out for all the wrong reasons. While waiting for my family at the pool one day I watched an encounter of two people. A young man waved over a salesman who sold outings to various destinations. The young man enquired about the prices. The salesman told him the price. Angrily the young man countered with an insulting price, the salesman told him this was too low and he would not only not receive any commission he would actually lose money if he accepted this offer. Arrogantly the young man held up his Bubba Keg filled with alcohol and said "take your commission from my drink" With a pleading look the salesman again tried to bargain, with a look of arrogance, and disgust the young man shooed away the salesman as one would a fly.

 

The most disturbing thing about this incident was what I had noticed earlier in the day and was looking at right now.

 

In the shape of a cross the words from Matthew 16 vs 26 were tattooed on the young mans back.

26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

Thinking back on this encounter I cannot help but think of the day when the exact words that are on this man`s body may be used against him. For the same God who created the young man, also created the salesman. And if I saw your actions and was shocked and repulsed by how you treated this man. How many other times in your life have you acted in such a way only to be seen by your Creator?

Family without putting any effort into it I noticed your actions of the week.

 

Katarina

 

You read three books after getting a sunburn the first day, you are deep like me and have the gift of writing, you also drew an amazing picture of Gloria on the plane ride back to Toronto, a talent I can take no credit for. I remember how calm, and cool you were under pressure while the rest of us were getting excited about every little detail. You could be a surgeon when you grow up. You remarked to Gloria "I feel like a princess at how people are treating me." May you always be treated with the Dignity and respect you deserve.

As you would float in the Ocean I saw such a look of peace and contentment on your face. May God Bless you with this same feeling as you find your calling in life.

Isabella

 

How you challenge me! Without even being aware that you are doing this. You made me realize I still have a long way to go. Towards the end of week I had this whole writing in my head and thought I had things figured out. A salesman around our hotel looked a lot like Uganda`s former Dictator Idi Amin, he had to wear a yellow shirt and long khaki pants as part of his uniform. He was not a good salesman as he was pushy to the point of being obnoxious and he was also greedy as he would ask for far too much money.

On the hottest day of our week Isabella asked me "why did this man not stop for a break to rest and to drink some water?" I told her because he may be afraid that when he stops he may lose a potential sale. Isabella told me "this is not fair I would stop for a drink." Conviction flooded over me as I realized my dislike of this man had me overlook the simple fact that he was a Human being and he was entitled to basic needs like drinking water on a hot day, also I had never thought to offer him one of our endless supply of bottled waters.

Isabella later on also pointed out the fact that she did not like that Gloria and I had bargained a little bit with Cheappy Willy on three items for a total savings of 6 dollars. Isabella pointed out that he needed this money more than us. I realized she was right. If I was to take the 6 dollars and give it to a reputable Charity than my conscience is clear, but I am sure I will waste this money on something frivolous.

 

Gloria

 

One day when talking to Eddy Murphy you asked him his name, something I am sure that does not happen very often. Yes Eddy has a name and it is not the name the Hotel gave him because his name was to hard to pronounce. I forgot his name, Juan (something), but I know you remember.

Our poor maid! For some reason this poor lady would keeping coming up to us and asking if the room was okay. One day she gave the throat slashing symbol and said if people complain this would happen to her. Another day she brought her Manager over to us to again have us tell that her cleaning was up to par. Gloria reached out and embraced with a very nice hug this poor uptight lady. Later on I thought to myself I am sure that this was the first time a tourist had ever done such a thing. It reminded me of Jesus not just healing but reaching out and touching people physically as well.

To close this is a picture of my family minus Gloria walking on the beach one evening, our footprints are noticeable.
 

 

This sums up to me our trip to Punta Cana but also our lives as well. How are we going to walk over this Earth? Are we going to trample down people and things in pursuit of the World`s happiness? I hope not, I pray not.

Mumford and Sons has a song called Lover`s eyes. As I think about my time on Earth I hope I live my life like the Chorus.

The words are I walk slow (which I changed to soft) I believe God is offering His hand to show us how we should live if only we are willing to take it.

The first verse no background music just the lead singers voice singing very softly

 

I walk soft

I walk soft

Take my hand help me on my way
 

The next verse his voice is louder and a Guitar joins in

I walk soft

I walk soft

Take my hand help me on my way
 

The next verse his voice is louder and a Piano joins the Guitar

I walk soft

I walk soft

Take my hand help me on my way
 

The last verse the singers voice is his loudest a Drum joins the Piano and the Guitar the words are now more than a statement they are a proclamation

I walk soft!

I walk soft!

Take my hand help me on my way
 

Larry

Blessed

In my last writing I mentioned the responses of my two Daughters to my running results.  After showing Isabella her comments, she said that she does not remember saying them.  In her defence she was six years old at the time.  What was interesting was her comment about Reid Coolsaet Canada`s best marathon runner. After seeing his picture on my blog,  Isabella asked me "why did you put him in your writing?  He did not do very well at the Olympics."

 

27th in the World is not good enough for Isabella for someone she does not know, and yet she overlooks her own Fathers results (which are much further down the pack).

During a training run as I thought about this contradiction I realized something.  Isabella looks at my running results with grace filled eyes.  Because of her Love for me she does tell me quite honestly after each and every race she is proud of me.

 

Her attitude mirrors how God looks at me and all of you.  His Love for us has Him overlook all of our flaws and He looks upon  us with pride through His grace filled eyes.  Unfortunately many times instead of looking upon others as God does I look at others through the same eyes Isabella used on Reid.  I end up judging and holding others to a high standard I could never hope to achieve myself.

 

My family was not able to support me Today as Gloria picked up the Flu on Friday and we decided waiting outside in the negative weather with the strong North winds would not be wise.  Isabella hugged me and wished me well as I was leaving.  To make sure not to let her down I told her "I am not going to win today."  She replied "I know."

 

Katarina wished me well, (there was no cash prizes so this pressure was off me.) As I turned the first corner of the race I ran onto Isabella Street and thought my family is here with me today.

 

I just finished  The Egg Nog Jog a race put on by the running club The Georgetown Runners.  On it`s website this race is referred to as "the prettiest road race in Ontario with picturesque views through Terra Cotta."   After running this event last year I thought of contacting my two Lawyer friends in The Toronto Core Group regarding the legality of such a statement.  To make sure The Georgetown Runners cover themselves legally, in the fine print at the bottom of the same website are the words "North America`s toughest road race".  If you look really closely it also mentions a link to elevation charts.

 

 Here is the elevation chart

 

 

 

What I have learned in my Running career is that if you are a Race director and your course is relatively flat you do not have such a chart, for example Mississauga and Toronto Marathons, our own Ratanak 5km.  The races I have run with crazy hills, such as Hamilton's Around the Bay, and The Boston Marathon both have this chart.

 

I met a runner from The Georgetown Runners club at The Toronto Marathon who actually got a glint in his eye and started smirking when he talked about the Egg Nog Jog.  I can almost picture the registration committee laughing, and elbowing themselves as entries come in from runners from other Cities who do not know what awaits them.  I was one of these runners last year. 

 

This year at the start a  fellow runner was complaining about the placement of the finish line.  I asked a question I knew the answer to "Is this your first time here?"  Another runner gave me the knowing look as we both thought to ourselves, when he gets to the hills he will not be concerned about the 10 seconds difference he loses at the finish line placement.

 

The Boston Marathon has a series of huge hills beginning at the 30 km mark.  The person who created this course did their research and found that most runners have depleted their lactic acid in their bodies at this point, thus making it even harder to finish this race.

 

Whoever designed the Egg Nog Jog course put similar thought into it.  The first 2km are straight downhill.  Last year I remember thinking to myself,  Isabella may finally have a race result of mine to be proud of as I was in about 10 th place of 700 at this point.  I also remember thinking to myself "I think I should slow down as I do not know what is coming up next." 

 

What comes next is a steady 3km hill, followed by a very steep 3km hill.  Last year as I ran I remember seeing a sign with squiggly lines warning of the approaching steep hills.  I thought to myself, great cars are being warned about the steepness of these hills and, now I am going to have run them.  Next is 2km of flat ground where last year the man and I got into the speed race with his chanting "They are mine, They are mine" in reference to the girls in Cambodia.

 

To finish off approximately the last km is straight down another hill, which seems like good news, but running downhill is where most running injuries occur, and after finishing such a gruelling race it is very hard keeping your legs from going out beneath you.

 

Last year at the finish line another out of town runner asked me "if I knew that the course was like this? " I told him no, and he let loose with about thirty seconds of cursing.  Morals aside I agreed and marvelled that he had the breath to even talk as I could not.

 

This year I took it relatively easy and finished 20 seconds behind last years time, but ended up closer to the leaders (probably because of the wind.)

 

Friday I thought about last year and thought to myself why did I choose to go back,  there was another race on a far easier course that I could have went to on the previous weekend.

 

Hills have become symbolic to me in terms of  victims of sexual abuse,  I feel each victim must start each day of the rest of their lives at the bottom of a steep hill.  Even being a victim once is one times too many and the abused person faces a steep climb each and every day of their lives.

 

The girls in Cambodia have been victimized sexually thousands of times and face a hill the equivalent of Mount Everest.  I can never, ever relate to this abuse, but in my small way by willingly picking a challenging race with over 6 of the 10.8km  up steep hills, for a brief moment I hope to enter into a small portion of their lives.

 

I still have never stopped running on a hill in training or a race. Also faced with such a daunting task of trying to help give these precious children a new life I cannot be afraid to do things that may seem difficult and as I have learned involving myself in these girls lives, there will be no easy way.

 

Driving to the last Toronto Core meeting I had such a sense of excitement, almost joy as I was on my way.  I stopped myself for a minute and thought to myself we are probably going to hear of some very disturbing stories at the very least of despair and unfairness.  This will include young girls and boys.  They may include graphic stories of sexual abuse, and yet you are looking forward to this I thought to myself?

A definition I found for the word blessed states bringing happiness, pleasure, or contentment.

Many of our Churches preach on prosperity and being blessed.  Most people associate being blessed with wealth, health, and possibly fame.  During my prayer before the Ratanak 5km walkathon it was pointed out to me that three times I asked for God to bless the participants.

 

  In the Beatitudes Jesus said

  Blessed are the poor in spirit

  Blessed are those who mourn

  Blessed are the meek

  Blessed are the hungry

  Blessed are the merciful

  Blessed are the pure in heart

  Blessed are the peacemakers

  Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness

 

 These are a few comments I have received from people who read my blog.

•   The Lord has blessed you with a very sensitive heart.
•   Thanks for including me in your journey with Ratanak.  It is such a blessing and you have definitely inspired me.
•   May God bless you immensely as you effectively serve as His hands, feet, and voice for the downtrodden.
•   You are fortunate to have found this area of your life to become involved in.
•   God has gifted and blessed you with His compassion.  I love how you are choosing to allow Him to work beautifully in your heart and tears.

 

Again I ask myself the question am I blessed?

I have been involved with Ratanak International for over 6 years.  I have two daughters, they were ages 6 and 4 when I started.  I have heard more stories than I can remember about the sexual abuse of young girls in Cambodia who are the same age as my daughters.  I now know of terms such as "Pink rooms", "international pedophiles", and "sex tourists."

 

I have became aware of the highly, organized network of Evil that shares information on how most effectively abuse these children and evade Law enforcement agencies.

 

I now look upon most Men I meet with some suspicion.

My oldest daughter Katarina has three Vietnamese friends, two are twins.  Walking home from school with them many times my mind wanders to Cambodia and the treatment of girls their size, girls their age, and girls with very similar features.

 

 

Last year at my youngest daughter Isabella's birthday party a girl came who really brought this close to home.  She is a girl from Vietnam, a girl who does not speak at all.  The parallel between the girls in Cambodia who are voiceless to their abuse struck me very hard at a day of celebration in my House.

 

  Psalm 34 18

 

 The Lord is close to the broken-hearted

         and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

To answer the earlier question.  I am blessed to have the freedom to pursue true freedom for the exploited children in Cambodia.  Involving myself in the exploited children of Cambodia has brought me joy, happiness, and contentment.  I think in part because as the verse above mentions, Jesus is with these girls and the tiny fraction of my life that I give in trying to help these girls brings me closer to them which in turn brings me closer to Him.

 

To conclude as Christmas fast approaches I would like to bless you.  I may live like this blessing some of the time, but I have met four people who live like this all the time and I would like to mention them in appreciation for the example they set for me and many others.

 

Brian McConaghy founder and director of Ratanak International, Lisa Cheong Country Director for Cambodia Ratanak International, Jessika Mak Toronto Representative Ratanak International, and my Father who has given his life to people who mirror the people Jesus spent his whole time on Earth with.

 

  Franciscan Benediction

 

  May God bless you with discomfort

  At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships

  So that you may live deep within your heart

  May God bless you with anger

  At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people

  So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace

  May God bless you with tears

  To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war

  So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy

  And may God bless you with enough foolishness

  To believe that you can make a difference in the world

  So that you can do what others claim cannot be done

  To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor

 

  Amen

 

 Larry

Keep the Earth below my feet

As I prepare for the upcoming 10.8 km Egg Nog Jog in December, the 21.1 km Chilly Half Marathon in March, and eventually the 42.2 km Cleveland Full Marathon in May I thought back to my first Marathon.  As I have talked about many times I now have the full support of my family. My first marathon was the Mississauga Marathon 2009.  For some reason the Race director scheduled it on Mother`s day.  The next part of this writing is taken from an email sent to a group of Faithful and somewhat naive Ladies who offered to pray for me as I attempted my first marathon.  Faithful, because they are still praying for me and my family.  Naive as I am like the gift that keeps on giving in that they may never be free of my prayer requests.

"I am not the smartest husband, and I have a lot to learn about members of the opposite sex.

However even I realized that 12 years of marriage, and bearing me the two most wonderful kids in the world deserved some sort of special reward for Mother`s day.

In one of my rare wise moments I saw that watching your husband limping around the house, watching him taking Epsom salt baths, popping Advil’s, and smelling the wonderful fragrance of tiger balm muscle cream, was not what Gloria expected as a reward.

So I decided I would take Gloria and the girls out for dinner on Saturday, the night before the marathon.

I should have saw what was coming next as for quite some time Katarina and Isabella had been asking me about what they called "my race".  I quickly told them it was a Marathon I was not going to race.

This didn`t seem to work so well as the next day they would again inquire about "the race."

Katarina hadn`t shown as much interest as Isabella but at dinner she found out that the first three finishers would receive cash prizes.  I hope I do not bother Lisa Cheong too much in the future because this girl has a career somewhere in the financial market, and I could use some connections.

Well at dinner Katarina asked me what our family would do with the money if I was to finish first.

I assured her there was no possibility of this happening.

She then asked me what we would do with the money if I came second.

I again assured her there was no possibility of this happening.

She then asked me what we would do with the money if I was to come in third place.

Yet, again I assured her there was no possibility of this happening.

She told me I had to think more positive if I wanted to finish well.

I think I had dashed her plans of another family vacation.

Next was Isabella's turn.

I finished 336 out of 1413 competitors.

I was, and am a little surprised and quite content with my placing.

Don’t let Isabella’s sweet and angelic looks fool you.

Do you know her response to her Father’s placing?

Daddy you did terrible!

Three days have not softened her stance, as I suppose she had visions of her father on a podium collecting gold like Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt, so hearing that 335 people beat me is not a consolation prize for her.

Well as they say, “if you want to know where you stand in life ask a child.”

Since that interesting dinner I have come a long way as has my family.  Katarina really got excited about the Boston Marathon prize money $150 000 and worked out a deal with me that our family would keep half and Ratanak International would receive half if I was to win this race.  As you will see later I came quite a ways back of collecting the prize money.  Katarina has come to accept that I will never make any money at my running and celebrates the fact I am able to finish.

In the above email I wrote three days have not softened Isabella.  I think it took three years for her to accept my placing’s.  In Boston you are given a number based on your qualifying time.  I was given the bib number 8 144.  To say Isabella was not impressed is an understatement.

Isabella has come full circle thanks in part to a group of Teachers at her School who run 10km races and were impressed when she told them of my running.  This summer while watching a world class track meet on television Isabella asked me if "I could beat these runners?” yes she has come full circle indeed.

I remember a song from my childhood; it is from the show Sesame Street.  I am going to play this game with you now but I am going to change the words from things to people.

One of these things (people)

One of these people is not like the others.

One of these people just doesn`t belong.

Can you tell which person is not like the others?

By the time I finish my song.

          This is Reid Coolsaet

Birth place Canada

 

Height 5feet 9inches Weight 140 pounds

Accomplishments:

3rd place Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2011 time of 2 hours 10 minutes 55 seconds

27th place London Olympics Marathon 2012 time of 2 hours 16 minutes 29 seconds

1st place Around the Bay 30 km race 2012     time of 1 hour 33 minutes 20 seconds

 This is Geoffrey Mutai

Birth place Kenya

Height 5feet 6inches Weight 119 pounds

Accomplishments:

1st place  Boston Marathon 2011 time of World`s fastest ever 2 hours 3 minutes 2 seconds

1st place New York Marathon 2011 time of  Course record 2 hours 5 minutes 5 seconds1st place Berlin Marathon 2012 time of  Course record 2 hours 4 minutes 15 seconds

  

This is me
 

 Birth place Canada

Height 5feet 11inches Weight 185 pounds

Accomplishments:

6 234 place Boston Marathon 2011 time of 3 hours 25 minutes 10 seconds

683 place Around the Bay 30 km race 2012 time of 2 hours 26 minutes 22 seconds

6th place Erindale Park Children of Merendon Mountains 10km 2011 time of 45 minutes 19 seconds

As I compare my accomplishments against these two World class Marathoners of whom I have raced against I am grateful people make donations for Ratanak International when I run instead of relying on me to try and collect prize money.  I also can see where Isabella may have had the gift of wisdom at a very young age.

Throughout the years I have heard many Pastors’s using the story of the frog in the pot of water in a sermon.  The story is that if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water it will jump out right away.  If you put the same frog in a pot of cold water and gradually turn the heat up the frog will not notice the difference and will stay in the pot being boiled to death.  The Pastor always used this story with sin in our lives being the frog.
I used to wonder why I never heard an example of this story being used in the positive.  For example Mother Theresa and other great people of our time.  Did they have a gradual process of doing good that lead them to a lifetime of the amazing blessings that they were responsible for?

I have come to realize training for a marathon in my life has become the frog, in that I am doing much more then when I started in September, but I have a long way to go to when I really stretch out my training in March and April.  Like the frog if I tried to train now like I will in April I am pretty sure I would be injured.

This is, for those who are interested a two week sample of my training.  It is a pretty good reflection of what I do to prepare for a marathon, although each week I will add a few more minutes of training to each cardio exercise, until my outside runs are over three hours with 10x Centennial Hill, my treadmill runs will be as long as seventy minutes, my elliptical training will be as long as two hours, and my bike rides will be well over one hour.

To save time and space when I write worked out; it means approximately a 45 minute time I take to lift weights, stretch, and do sit ups.

October 28 ran outside for 48 minutes

October 29 worked out, 50 minute elliptical

October 30 worked out, ran for 50 minutes treadmill

October 31 worked out, 10 minute bike 40 minute elliptical

November 1 worked out, ran for 23 minute treadmill

November 2 worked out, 30 minutes elliptical

November 3 ran outside for 72 minutes including Centennial Hill 5X

November 4 day off

November 5 worked out, ran outside for 53 minutes

November 6 worked out, 45 minutes elliptical

November 7 worked out, ran outside for 77 minutes including Centennial Hill 5X

November 8 worked out, 40 minutes bike 20 minutes elliptical

November 9 worked out, ran for 50 minutes treadmill

November 10 day off

November 11 ran outside for 63 minutes

Now I close with the words from a new Mumford and Son song which inspired me as I ran outside last weekend.

Below my feet
Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood turns weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve
My hands to learn

This is a prayer of sorts for me as I do not track how many miles I run to prepare for a marathon, but it must be in the Thousands. What I could never track are how many steps I must take. This must be in the Billions and yet it would only take one misstep to injure a person. I have read about professional athletes tearing up muscles by falling on the treadmill, or even slipping on ice.

Geoffrey Mutai who I mentioned earlier developed severe cramps in the 2012 Boston Marathon and had to quit at the 18 mile mark, ending his chance to compete in the London Olympics.

So, yes Lord keep the earth below my feet as I run!

These words also take on a deeper meaning as I relate it to running in my ravine. The day I wrote this the weather was 18C Sunny and beautiful; but I really look forward to the winter down my ravine when I run in solitude.

Sometimes God speaks to us away from the hustle and bustle of life. Sometimes God speaks to us in the wilderness wherever that may be, for me this is in my ravine. In the Bible Jesus was lead into the desert to be tempted. Moses was in the wilderness when God appeared to him in the burning bush. David before he became King was hiding from Saul in the wilderness.

Keep the earth beneath my feet as I run! Let me see things as you do, let me use this unusual gift of preparing for a marathon to further Your Kingdom which in my life is advocating for the girls in Cambodia.

In spite of my sweat of hard work many times I am afraid and my blood goes weak. Let me learn from my experiences and may I bring you Glory.

In the song I mentioned above the chorus is sung three times. The first time is very low, the next time is a bit higher, the last time the lead singer`s voice literally explodes as he is singing with such emotion. That day as I ran it seemed as if I sang the first two verses but the third one I listened to as a foreshadowing of the trying weeks ahead and the reward that awaits at the end of them.

Keep the earth below his feet

For all his sweat, his blood turns weak

Let him learn from where he has been
Keep his eyes to serve
His hands to learn

That day as I ran a choir of 30 000 sexually exploited children in Cambodia sang this verse to me, and for me.

To sum up training for and running a full marathon is the hardest physical event I will do in my life. I was interviewed recently at work and I told the person interviewing me knowing what I know now I do not think I would run a marathon for myself. For a Country I have never been to, to a group of people I have never met though, this is easy.

Larry