"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

At about mile 15 I had my doubts: could I last the other 11.2 miles and complete the marathon? My bones were reminding me that I was 42 instead of 24. After 15 miles I hit a hill, but then heard the cheering voices of Jamie, Micah, and Mylinda, who were working the mile 16 aid station. They ran alongside me up the hill, and recharged me with Gatorade and goo (technical running term). The good news was that I only had 10 miles to go. Of course, the bad news was that I still had ten miles to go. It made me wonder, "Why had I signed up for a marathon?" I guess it was just a goal I had set that I wanted to accomplish while my knees would still allow it.

I left mile 16 refueled and reenergized, knowing my family was behind me both literally and figuratively. If I could last the other 10 miles, they would greet me at the finish line. But I still had work to do, and thank God that there were other aid stations. At mile 21 I really wondered if I would make it and debated whether riding a bus for the last five miles would constitute a violation of the rules. But I kept running. Make that jogging. People of all ages whom I had passed earlier were now passing me, but I really didn't care. My goal now was to finish. More Gatorade, more cheers from the people handing me the cups. God bless those mile 22 aid station workers. The last four miles was familiar terrain, but it had never taken me so long to run it. My pace was slowing, but I was determined to finish. If I thought about the miles ahead of me, it was too depressing, so I counted to 100 steps, then sang songs in my head (How Far is Heaven, Oye Como Va, Great is Thy Faithfulness) After a lot of counting and a mental concert, I found myself facing the last half mile, crowd and finish in sight. Finally I crossed the line and heard the cheers. I had not beaten my goal of five hours, but I had finished. Mylinda and the kids hugged me, sweat and all. They took my picture and brought me food and drink. They became my crutches and found me a bench. Of course later they had to help lift me off of the bench. I was done. I may run another race someday, but nothing over 13 miles, I guarantee it.

Our Christian lives are long distance races. We need to stay in training, we need aid stations where other believers can cheer us on and offer us a cup or a towel. And we need to keep going when we think we can't finish. This year of home assignment is coming quickly to an end. It has been hard work and there have been cultural adjustments. We've missed sharing life and ministry with our Costa Rican brothers and sisters. But this year has also reminded us of the churches and individuals who cheer us on and keep us running. If you are part of our Missionary Partnership Network you are part of the cheering crowd. If you are part of our Missionary Partnership Team you are one of our aid stations. All of you have kept us going. You refuel us with your prayers. Your financial giving allows us to take another 100 steps, another mile, and another 26.2. A pastor in Montana mentioned that it was an extraordinary effort and a near miraculous offering that kept us from being recalled. He went on to ask "Do we expect the same thing next year" I guess that depends on how we look at it. Was avoiding recalls the end of the race, or was it more like hitting the 10 mile aid station?

We are in the middle of packing and cleaning and saying goodbye so we can continue the race in Costa Rica in mid-July, and for another 4 years (Si Dios quiere), Lord willing. We don't know what transition you are facing just now, but we pray that you are moving toward God's best for you, and that you are finding aid stations along the way.

Prayer needs

• Transitions -packing, cleaning, saying goodbye with grace


• Pastor George Boudet and Donna of FBC Port Angeles, WA as George battles cancer and chemotherapy.


• IM Staff at Valley Forge, including Jim Bell, new MPT coordinator - a big part of our aid station crew.


• World Mission Conference (Aug. 6-11) Mylinda will serve as program staff.


• Leaders for the churches of Costa Rica

Thank you for your giving to the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, and to flood relief in Costa Rica. Many of you have purchased coffee from us this year. With the proceeds we have been able to donate over $1020.00 to flood relief in Sixaola, Costa Rica. ¡Gracias!

Let's run the race,

Gary