For years I have ridden my road bike in a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital. I was on a team that supported patients who needed help to be able to ride. One year, I was the attendant for a girl who had just had a brain tumor taken out and now was blind. She rode on the back of a tandem bike and had a big vest that said, “BLIND ATHLETE.” I rode behind the tandem and, anytime they stopped, I would swoop her up and help her get off and on, get her water and food, and anything else she needed. Imagine the difficulty of dealing with a brain tumor, especially as a high school girl. Simply getting out of bed and dressed would be a feat. All of those self-conscious thoughts are accentuated 1,000 times over. It was a hard and hot ride that included 100 miles over 4 mountain passes. I felt old and out of shape. I just kept looking at her vest and thinking to myself, “IF SHE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT. IF SHE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT.”
Many of you know about the projects we are working on to empower women in Asia. As we interviewed some of them and asked why they liked our program, I was amazed at how simple their answers were. They want opportunities for their daughters to be educated. They have never been treated this kindly before, with dignity and respect. They like being able to see each other’s smiles. For the first time in their lives, they are experiencing Grace-Love-Mercy like they never dreamed possible.
My life is relatively easy compared to most women around the world. For me, pushing myself beyond my comfort level reminds me of the vast majority of women globally and the circumstances they endure. Fortunately, or unfortunately, challenging myself helps me relate. As I push myself to my limit, I am reminded of the strength and courage of so many I have met through the years. I think of their difficult circumstances and their resilience to continue on as I say to myself, “IF SHE CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT.”
PLEASE SUPPORT ME IN THIS ENDEAVOR AS WE SEEK TO SUPPORT AS MANY FIELD WORKERS AS POSSIBLE.
A kind donor is covering all of the costs of the trip, so 100% of your donation will go toward our training of field workers in Asia as they transform their communities.
LET’S TREK 4 TRANSFORMATION!