Sunday, June 28, 2009

Guatemala Update!

Update on Guatemala

The resources keep coming in…..


This is so exciting… about 70 thousand dollars was pledged and raised during the dash and events leading up to it. And over 85% of that has already come in.


This is particularly exciting as these funds will now be used in the projects in Guatemala and Ecuador as well as be available to provide respite to families right here in Ontario. Over 26 thousand dollars of the 60 thousand brought in so far has been specically given to provide respite to families in our own communities. Think of this… If these funds provided a summer time break at camp, they could potentially touch over 30 families. Fantastic!


Guatemala…. You may recall that a CH team went to Guatemala in March to start the construction of the education / training center project. I am please to include some updated pictures I just received this week on the project…. Things are moving right along. I know Rudy, Sully and everyone in Guatemala is eager to begin the programs that will flow from this location. (like literacy training in partnership with the bible leaguer of Canada)



Enjoy the Pictures!






Monday, June 22, 2009

Lesson #2

Life is Short!

Last year, on my way to the hospital with chest pain, the catalyst that got this walk idea moving in my head, was a traumatic event. I thought, this is it.... Game over.... Hind sight is great, Praise the Lord it was not the Heart Attack I thought it was, But it could have been.

Today's news of three teens walking along side of the road only to be hit from behind and killed by some driver (I think Alcohol was involved) Is a stark reminder of just how short (even to an "unfair" level) life can be. it was also a bit of a reality check after having walked for 12 days along Ontario's roads, We did have 3 close calls along the walk of drivers passing and coming painfully close to us.

I guess the lesson really is, make the most of every day, every choice and every relationship!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A year long journey, I think I've learned a few things!

Perhaps this is a bit of therapy for me, but if you know the story of the DASH, you know that this was a year long journey of discovery for me to not only prepare physically for the 325 km walk, but a journey of learning a lot about life and myself. I simply want to share that with you, perhaps it resonates with you as well.

Lesson number 1

After the first Gallbladder attack (April 2008), I learned "you are what you eat" my state of being was a clear reflection of the choices I had made and have made for years about my eating. The saying started in the 1800s when a psychologist wrote - tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are.... Powerful words, equally powerful are the words of the great philosopher, Bob Hartman of the group Petra....in his song, Computer Brains...... put garbage in, get garbage out!

a couple of weeks past the finish line

Several weeks have passed since the finish line. Believe it or not the feet are still sore at times, my one ankle (right) gives me problems, but on the walk I was reminded that years earlier I had broken that ankle, so I guess it stands to reason it didn't like a 325k walk.

I received this quote today in my email. Thought I would share it with you....


Every single life only becomes great when the individual sets
upon a goal or goals which they really believe in, which they can really
commit themselves to, which they can put their whole heart and soul into.

Brian Tracy

WE set a goal and we did it! I still can't believe what was accomplished by the walk! it truly is amazing. but one thing learned is that there is always another goal to set. I have found it very important for my physical life to set a new goal, so that old ways do not come creeping back. So... I got my bike fixed and have started to add that to my gym workouts as well... but apart from that we need to continue to set goals as to how it is we are going to impact our world? I can't wait to see where the future takes us on that!

Have a great day!

Dave

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Office Foot Bath!


They are treating me very well back at the office!

Finish Line, YouTube and My Office!

The day started bright and early, 5:30 am - to the gym, the legs are still sore but I got to keep going, or old habits will start to set in before I know it!

Yes, it is hard to get back into routine, It really is hard to describe the feelings after this walk.

Rudy, Sully; I trust your travels back to Guatemala went well, Thank-you so much for your support, love and encouragment. You are doing an amazing job in your country and it is a pleasure to be a part of these efforts to support you! God Bless your ministry and all those who minister along side you!



This is what my office looked like coming in this morning! Thanks Everyone! This was special!
I didn't coun't them but I understood there was one for every KM walked!


This is what it looked like after the door was opened!


And the Finish Line is now on You Tube! (Thanks Bill)




Or Click Here to view

www.chglobal.org

Sunday, May 31, 2009

THE Finish Line!!!!! 3:20 PM - Windsor, ON

Almost there!

The Finish Line!

325+ kms DONE! it feels really strange this morning thinking that I'm in Windsor and arrived by foot! I know many have done greater physical feats than this, but for me this was an Everest kind of task! And I know I can say the same for Amber!

There is kind of a mourning going on in us right now, it is hard to explain. This whole year of preparation and now the walking part is done.

Thank-you EVERYONE who sponsored this event, who participated in it, who shared the vision, who walked with us, who drove with us, who organized details, who shared it with others. Together we have raised an enormous amount of money for some great projects.

But more than that I believe we have encouraged our brothers and sisters who are ministering in some very difficult places and in very difficult situations.

We have raised awareness of the need that is before us for those who are marginalized because of their unique and exceptional needs.

We have inspired each other to be bold when responding to God's call on our lives.

We have show each other that it is never too late to get healthy and that that is a daily choice.

We have proved that we can do things we once thought impossible!

And we have proven that through SYNERGY - we really do accomplish more as a team than separate individuals.

I have had many many people ask about the next goal, next year, am I doing this again? I really don't know the answer to those questions. What I do know is -

* we need to keep walking every day, continue to live a life of sacrifice for others, continue to give of our hearts and our resources to those who so desperately need us as partners with them as they press on in life.

* I know that what ever we choose to do in the future to raise awareness and funds, I will be there! ( and I know I can say that for Amber and a lot of other people as well) As Amber put it so well on this journey. " this has been an 11 day party!" Yes, This was physically exhausting and has taken its toll on our bodies, but this was also FUN! A lot of FUN! just ask anyone who walked with, drove with, provided lunch Etc....

* I also know that the daily choices must keep on going. Just because the walk is technically done, does not mean the daily choice to do the right thing has stopped. It hasn't for you either! that must go on as well, I will continue to need to choose wisely each morning to get up, be active, eat right! I just am not able to tell myself that it's training for this crazy walk any more, I will have to find another way to help with that. Perhaps a goal of climbing a Volcano in Guatemala? - I will have to talk to my wife about that.

Rudy and Sully and my family!



Amber and Kaitlyn (my daughter) Great Shot!



Saying some final thank-you and sharing some thoughts at the finish line!






And finally - To Amber: I can't really describe how great it was to do this walk with you. I so appreciated getting to know you better with each step. Thank-you for responding to Gods Call, not just in this walk, but everyday! You truly are an amazing person! thank-you for your sacrifice, your vacation time, your money, Your feet (see blister pics in previous posts), your time with family... All of it! You are a true blessing! And yes this really was an 11 day Party!





+ It is never too late to support these great projects in Ontario, Guatemala and Ecuador!

Please continue to support at www.chglobal.org


A quote to reflect on


I guess that one of the most important things I've learned is
that nothing is ever completely bad. Even cancer. It has made me a better
person. It has given me courage and a sense of purpose I never had before.
But you don't have to do like I did...wait until you lose a leg or get
some awful disease, before you take the time to find out what kind of
stuff you're really made of. You can start now. Anybody can.

Terry Fox
(1958-1981, Canadian man (with an artificial right leg) who ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research in a journey called "Marathon of Hope"
)

Saturday, May 30, 2009

there they go...


Grand arrival is planned at Heritage Park Alliance Church for 3pm, a large group of enthusiasitc greeters already here....















Daves daughters supporting





last stretch - be safe, be cool, lets go!




last strectch - be safe - be cool!

Community Support


And the Applebees Manager

Daves family arrive to walk with him for the last 6 km..




and we had a GOOD lunch together....




Guatmela team is taking it easy....


Re-group before lunch

Clouds starting to loom, but we gather in good spirits and head across the road to Applebees for lunch.

And its the countdown!

8.3km left to go....

Weather is holdin' up, so far so good!







930am Timmies break and Hat signing

















And they're off! Every one is in great spirits and ready for the day's adventure!

The Finish Line is in Sight, but Not the END!


This is it. Today there will be at least a dozen of us walking the final kms to the finish line, That's right I said finish line. All 325+ kms will be completed. One year of training, one year of emails and blogging have all come to this day. It all seems so surreal in a way. Like a dream. Physically I can't believe we have accomplished this... But much much more than that I can't believe what else has been accomplish.

I'm amazed at
-how others, like you, got involved and helped to make this happen.
-how you stepped up to the plate and sacrifice your time for these projects
-how people came along side and walked this journey with us and encouraged us.
-we have raised so much money for these causes
-the new friendships and relationships built
-how we really can do BIG things if we commit our selves to it and are passionate about it
-how a walk like this can help a child in Guatemala, Ecuador or right here at home in ways we really find hard to grasp.

But it's really not over!

This walk may end today, And I'm really not sure about what this day is going to turn out to be like, so I don't know how much blogging I will get to do... But this walk is NOT OVER! While the distance goal will have been reached today, the BIGGER Goal is still before us.

To continue to run the race set before us, cast off the weights that slow us down.... What is that race. That Race is found in part in Proverbs 31

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."


Thank-you!

Please support this walk by giving at CHglobal.org

Friday, May 29, 2009

I Can't Believe It!

It is just amazing, we are a stones throw from Windsor and we got here by foot.
It was an amazing day, some of it told in the previous post.

The day started early and saying good bye to our hosts for the last 4 days, Ed and Carol Regts and their kids, Bailey, Brad and Mackenzie. It was particulary rough saying goodbye to my budy, Kenzie. She really understood, "Giggy" and tried hard to help her family understand how cool it is to be "giggy with that...." Ed, Carol .... you have an amazing family, Thank-you, not only for your support in this walk through First Family Homes, but for allowing us into your lives like this. You are amazing!

Then it was off to the starting point - just outside of Tilbury. We met up with Rebekah and Derek and Connie and Justin (thier mom and dad, who drove for us today)

About 12 k in we met up with Matt, Matt joined us from that point on, Wow did he ever lift our spirits, Thanks Matt. Although he did scare me, wheeling his chair direct into traffic, but he assured us that this was nothing for him! Matt will be back tomorrow for the final push to the finish line.

One gentleman saw us walking and wheeling along and asked if we needed help. we said no we needed money as we were fundraising. he gave me everthing he had in is wallet and then about 40 minutes later he showed up with more. God works in mysterious ways. Just got a call from someone 5 minutes ago, they were telling thier physiotherapist about the walk, and they donated right there and then. Thanks!

Another gentleman, saw us coming down the road and came out with a supply of ice cold Pepsi's for us. Thanks Mr. Kennedy!

We finaly ended about 3pm, at Puce Rd and hwy 24, this will be our starting point for tomorrow and we will trek the last 22 kms to the finish line. Can't wait!

The finish line will be 3pm or shortly after that at Heritage Park Alliance Church!



Blogging from Lunch Time!
Matt, Cooling off at the end of the trek today!
A refreshed Van after some heavy rain.


hanging with the Regts Family - Giggy!

Amber and I with Carol Regts! Thanks Carol for EVERYTHING!


Please Donate to our projects. Click Here


To learn about the project we are raising money for see previous posts!

Police, CBC News and some great sandwiches

A great lunch time. Thanks CH Leamington and Harrow!

Also had a visit with the OPP!

And a short tapping with CBC News - Amber says she has a future in show biz but not me, Go figure.


And welcome Matt to this journey!


CBC new recording!



A great lunch, Thanks everyone!
Officer Phil just checking in on us..
I told Amber that that joke would not go over so well!