Run with Hope – Paraguay - May 2014

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE

Three years ago I was asked whether I would be willing to run across the country of Paraguay with the Organization JESUS RESPONDE .  After that initial query, where I had consented, nothing happened.  So, I assumed  it was “OFF”. 

Then, in January there was more ‘talk’ about this run between AIA and JESUS RESPONDE.  In February the director of JESUS RESPONDE was in Steinbach for some church ministry, and while he was here I organized a meeting with him and some key people for an information evening. Walter went back to Paraguay to encourage his team to get ready – ‘the runners are coming’.  In a little over three months, JESUS RESPONDE organized a fantastic running ministry event in Paraguay. The name Run with Hope was given appropriately with the purpose of giving help and hope to the children and youth in Paraguay.  I had said yes to running – targeting 300 km in 2 weeks.

 The purpose of this run was to raise funds and awareness of the need for Nutrition Stations – helping and feeding needy children of Paraguay.  

“ Transforming Paraguay together it is an NGO that is assisting about 20,000 children and preteens, in more than 400 children's canteens, which do not receive State aid and is dedicated to the Organization of the "Run for Hope", with the Canadian ultramaratonista Albert Martens, internationally recognised for its long distance runs.

Martens and a team of national and international runners will run between 10 and 25 May stretch incarnation-assumption with the aim of increasing awareness of the socio-economic plight of many Paraguayans, help the 400 existing children's canteens and help raise funds for 100 more dining rooms, who will attend to 5,000 children in poverty.”

Many Nutrition Stations have been established by JESUS RESPONDE in cooperation with churches providing a holistic approach to helping these needy children.  About 75% of Paraguayan population is under the age of 35. There are various reasons that create this need – often fathers may be in prison, leaving only the mothers to take care of the children. The Nutrition Stations will help with dental work, food, education and teaching, and sports.

The Run with Hope began in Encarnacion combined with a bigger outdoor public ministry event by JESUS RESPONDE.  About 30 runners started with me in Encarnacion for a 5 km run. Each day had a “RUN-IN” event in the city (3 km) with other community runners joining me.  Each day we moved ahead along Highway 1, 20-25 km closer to Asuncion.  We had 20-50 youth and children run 3 km each day at  3:30 p.m. ending up in a park or city square for my story telling time.

The official Run with Hope runners were Cooper Davies (Calgary), Jon Cooper (Calgary), Horst (Holly) Bergen (Asuncion) and Yours Truly from Steinbach, MB. We were escorted each day with usually 2 police cars, a Jesus Responde vehicle, a crew vehicle, an ambulance with two paramedics, and occasionally with a fire truck. The distances run were about 20-22 km per day.

PHYSICAL

We all had our physical challenges as we targeted 300 km in 2 weeks. The running was complicated and challenging due to the cultural differences, languages, as well as all the public and media attention.  The weather was primarily hot (30+) with high humidity each day.   The body did not function as well as I had hoped for. The food in the restaurants was challenging. I had basically chicken Schnitzel and Spaghetti with sauce only. One night I ate a cheesy pizza that did not sit well with me, so I encountered lots of chest and stomach pain the next running day.  My new shoes were not completely run-in. I used them because of better cushioning, however they create a big blister under a callous on my foot, which then got infected. – not good.

Highway No. 1 – from Encarnacion to Asuncion (ca 375 km) is two way traffic with lots of speeding trucks and tour buses.  We were told by the police that it is a dangerous highway to run. So we stayed on the far right shoulder running between the crew vehicle and the ambulance – going with the traffic.  The speeding buses often did not respect the flashing police cars, never slowing down for us.  On several occasion we met up with de-composing dogs on the shoulder of the highway – giving off a most horrible stench.  Three times the paramedics checked my pulse, blood pressure and oxygen levels, and each time they told me, “It is better than mine”.

EMOTIONAL

This was pretty much the most challenging ministry run in my life.  This was mostly due to all the media and public attention, the many speeches and interviews, the foreign languages (Spanish and Guaraney) and the fact that there were many runners to look after.  Every day I was interviewed either by a Christian TV, the National SNT TV, the Tigot Sports TV, radio, newspapers, etc. I gave testimonies of my faith, told many stories to the children and young people, reported in schools, gave reports to police, sports and school directors, as well as pastors.  Many youth and children came to me, wanting pictures taken of them with me. Two schools got together to hear 2 Paraguayan professional soccer players – (Ivan Torres – Ist Div. League), Julio Gonzalez (played in Italy 1^st Div. Player in the past) and myself.

I told stories about my Germany run, about the German police helping me when I got lost, about the Sahara Desert, about Scorpions, about Polar Bears, etc.        

I had not known beforehand that I would be giving so many reports.  I must have been interviewed, told stories, reports and given my personal faith testimonies for the 3 weeks – possibly 60 – 70 or more times. I found it tough to share with these cute and lovely children that surrounded me every day.  They came, often patiently waiting for me to come and tell them some stories. Some sat right next to me and some even on my lap.  They listened attentively, watching all my actions and expressions. Even though I could not speak Spanish – God communicated.  Anja translated all my talks.  This did add a huge emotional strain to my running, but then this was good, because this was the main and deeper purpose of the Run with Hope.  It actually took priority over my running. The plight of the sweet kids often brought tears to my eyes, because it tugged on my heart.

MINISTRY:

Besides me sharing my faith in Jesus and telling stories, JESUS RESPONDE organized several bigger (4-5) community events along the running route. In one city several churches joined together to plan and do a public outreach event. These churches had never worked together like this before.  Schools were engaged in ministry events where a pastor showed me 350 signed cards of commitments by students.  Holding a child that is about 2 years old – which does not have a home to go to was heart wrenching for me.  Many times I struggled emotionally during the night, and riding in the van. I became very quiet – just thinking about these beautiful children, often without parents.  I saw some of the flooded slum areas where people lived.  I witnessed little children playing under a traffic light post in the middle of busy streets.

I told a story of a police officer in Germany helping me when I was injured some years back. The police came and helped me. Their motto was “My Friend and Helper” They did help me find my way and gave me water.   I shared this story with the Paraguayan children under an Unknown Soldier monument – telling this story with their Paraguay police present standing next to the children.  The police listened to my story intently. Anja translated it into Spanish. The children looked at the police next to them.  Then later Anja told me that the police wanted to talk to me. I thought, “Oh No! Now I am in trouble”. Then the senior police of the two spoke to me privately – thanking me for what I had said. You see in Paraguay – the police are often “the bad guys”, so they had not heard such good words about them in a long time, if ever. The police was very emotional as he spoke - near tears because my words in the presence of the children had touched his heart.          

Another time I asked the three escorting police at a pit-stop, whether I could take a photo of them.  They said yes. I did not realize until later I had put my arms around a policeman heavily armed with heavy duty machine gun at his side.

THE FINAL RUN-IN

The final 5 km run from the bus station to the Plaza Americas was well organized by the Asuncion Marathon Club President, Mr. Anival.   We were escorted by two ambulance, two police cars, a crew van, and 6 police motor bikes.  Two police motorbikes drove ahead to close off the side streets from any traffic interference.  We went fast, arriving at the finish where the band was playing. I held the hand of a handicapped wheel chair participant for the last 2 km.  At the finish I met our Canadian Honorary Consul Representative, Mr. Jaun Speratti Rosi. Even our Canadian Polar Bear Mascot (Billy Neufeld) showed up for the celebrations.    

MEDIA –‘MARKETING’

JESUS RESPONDE had done a great, huge job of setting up this ministry event. It had never been done before. Many people had heard of this running event. I went to a restaurant and a lady recognized me and wanted a picture of me and her.  News had spread far and wide via TV and radio.  I met with the mayor of Encarnacion, the National Sports Director (Victor Manuel Pecci Balart) of their country, and the President of the Asuncion Marathon club. The mayor of Encarnacion suggested that we run from Asuncion to Encarnacion next year for their 400^th  city anniversary. 

Anja translated so well and fast. She was a great support to me.  She was a great running crewing person and care giver. She ran out to the kids along the way to hand out colouring books.   We had 1000 colouring books with the gospel story of Jesus, and the Good Coach as God printed. We ran out of books and had another 1000 printed. 

The initial evaluation of this historic ministry run deemed it a great success. It was tough and it was hard, but very good and rewarding. 

Helping people and sharing my faith in Jesus is just so much deeper and sweeter than running many km along a busy road.  I’d do it again.

I sensed thousands of prayers from across the world being answered. The Lord guided my feet,

and I thought they said “RUN”.

   

   Albert Martens

   Athletes in Action