HOWEVER, you may call Liz crazy and me slightly less so because I'm only running a 10k (which is roughly 6.2 miles and I do plan on running as much of it as I am physically able) on November 18th.
The point is not the distance or the race or the training; the point is hopefully to inspire people to pledge money to support the Kelley's adoption. Back home in America, I was involved in the middle school ministry at Spotswood Baptist Church. Kyle Kelley is the middle school pastor and his wife Becca Kelley is an awesome school teacher.
Here they are in Washington, D.C. with their son, Matthew:
As you can see, they are not adopting because they are unable to have children. They are adopting because adoption is "a real-life illustration of the gospel. It shows us how God transforms spiritual orphans into family members. He changes our names, identities, and families by His grace" (Tony Merida, Orphanology).
In Becca's own words...
There is a child out there somewhere.
I don't know if it is a boy or girl.
I don't know if he/she is still in his/her birth mother's womb or in an orphanage.
But that child is out there.
And that child doesn't know the good news.
And it is incredibly unlikely that anyone is going to tell that sweet child that there is good news!
And that child...is mine!
I am the mommy...Kyle is the daddy, Matthew is the brother!
(For more of the Kelley's adoption journey, please see their blog)
I am so excited to get to be a part of their adoption process, even if it only means I run 10k in a city halfway around the world. God has given me a heart for orphan-care and since I am not in a position to adopt a child into my own family, my designated role is to assist others in doing so.
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| Orphans in Azerbaijan |
The Kelleys have set up an account with YouCaring to accept donations. You can either pledge a flat rate donation, or a certain amount per kilometer (10 km total). If you would like to be a part of the Kelley's adoption through sponsoring my run, please send me an email at clairececil11@gmail.com with the pledge amount.
They are trying to raise $13,000 by the end of 2012 to cover the initial costs to begin the adoption process (adoption is expensive!!) This will include their contract fee, home study costs, medical exams, dossier preparation, and adoption education.
Thank you for your pledges in advance. Every bit helps!!
