Racing Against Human Trafficking



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It’s running season at Faith Community Church. For the past two years, this Christian community, located in West Covina, California, has put many bodies in motion by participating in two of Southern California premier running races: the Los Angeles Marathon in 2008, and the Surf City Half and Full Marathon in 2009. Running, run-walking, walking, and, as many participants joke around, even crawling, are all acceptable techniques for a group that includes from novices to advance and experienced runners.

The church offers many running locations around the Greater Los Angeles area that will meet weekly, every Saturday morning, for training for the next six months. Starting August 29, 2009, they will follow the injury free method promoted by All-American collegiate athlete and US Olympian (1972)
Jeff Galloway in his book entitled Marathon: You Can Do It!



The purpose of the program is to build endurance at a steady incremental rate without subjecting your body to stress or injury. Key components are persistence and moderation… Almost anyone can complete a marathon in six months!
J. Galloway, Marathon

Endurance. Growth in increments. Persistence. Moderation. No stress. No injuries. These are all qualities to pursuit in our race of faith as we keep ourselves firm, healthy, and develop our character. “Training will make you stronger and stronger with time. Preparing to run preaches so well,” said Pastor Dawn Jackson at the first team 26.2 meeting this year in an environment full of energy and expectations. The first meeting sessions gathered several hundreds of believers who enrolled for the challenge. “This is my third year, and I would not miss it for anything,” commented one of the participants.

As in previous years, the church will be running in support of Project Greece and the
A21 Campaign. Directed by Christine Caine, the A21 Campaign is one of the few inititiatives worldwide committed to abolish human trafficking and sexual slavery in the 21st century. Rasing awareness, taking legal action, and offering rehabilitation services, A21 hopes to make a difference in the lives of the more than 1,800 woman and children who are sold into slavery in Greece every day.

Race of Faith is joining the efforts of team 26.2 and Project Greece by participating in these running events as we race against human trafficking and seek justice in our world.

Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:16-17






Vladimir Lugo
vlugo@race-of-faith.com

I Want to Run!


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The prodigal son had gone astray. His thirst for power fueled his desire to have it all; ignoring the fact that all was already his. His sight lost in the horizon of his fantasies. His ways departed from the reality of the raging battle taking place in the forest nearby. He went for a ride. Sitting on a mule’s back, a privilege reserved for the true ruler, his father, he got distracted by his own megalomania. His mind entangled in his own deliriums left his head entangled in the thick branches of a large oak tree. His body swaddled in midair, while his kingship dreams kept on riding, made him the perfect target and three javelins flew from the bushes spearing his inflated heart.

Ahimaaz Benzadok was surprised by the rumors while bended tying his running sandals. After confirming the devastating news, his warm sweat from loosening up and stretching turn to cold sweat. “There is no reward in bearing bad news,” he considered briefly. Shaking his head, he dripped away this selfish thought and flash-forward to King David mourning the death of his son, Absalom, who he loved beyond his ways.

It was very typical in ancient armies, when instant communications, only made possible by modern technology, did not exist, to appoint messengers to carry the news from the battlefield. Brave men who made running their profession; Kukini fitted by “strenuous physical and mental training to become swift foot runners.” [
1] Ahimaaz and his Ethiopian running partner were up to the task. They had trained for such a time like this; they felt ready, and they came to their commander, Joab, for instructions.

Joab told Ahimaaz he was not to run this time and sent off his friend instead. He pleaded the commander for the second time, “Please let me run,” to what Joab responded: “But, Ahimaaz, don’t you realize that the prince is dead. The king is not going to like what you have to say. Besides Ethiopians and Kenyans are among the fastest men on earth and he took off several minutes ahead of you. You will not get there on time. Don’t you realize that a Kenyan will win the L.A. Marathon in 2009 and an Ethiopian will take second place?” – “Well, let 2009 not be the first time in history an Ethiopian finishes in second place,” and urging the commander for the third time, he said (2 Samuel 18:23, NIV),


“"I want to run!" So Joab said: "Run!"”



Ahimaaz took off that day and ran the race of his life. Only one thought provided him with enough fuel to propel him through the thick forest: “I can’t let the forest spears also pierce the heart of my king.” With every strike, he built the glazing trails behind where there were none; dodging through the very same oak trees that trapped Absalom to death. He outran his partner. As he rushed down the hills to bring the good news, his feet were beautiful messengers of hope. When the king saw him he was comforted in his heart, (2 Samuel 18:27, NIV),


“He’s a good man… He comes with good news.”



In our race of faith, we should all learn from Ahimaaz. He did not get discouraged or distracted from his purpose; three times he was persuaded of not running, and three times he insisted to do what he was appointed to do. He did not get intimidated by the skill set or abilities of his partners, instead, he ran to win. He maintained the clarity of his purpose and understood the heart of his king, who appreciated his goodness.


Above all this, he focused on the message to be delivered: the good news that the kingdom had been established and the king remains on his throne. He understood the power of sharing good news even in the midst of despair; he preceded the favorable report ahead of the not so pleasant. Good news, or euangelion, should dictate the purpose and focus of our race of faith. We have been fitted for such a time like this and are urged to bring the word of peace during our current times of job market anxieties, economic downturns, family crises, and worldwide uncertainties. We need to shoe the footgear of the Gospel of Peace and remember what the prophet said, (Isaiah 52:7, The Message):


“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all's well,
proclaiming good times,
announcing salvation,
telling Zion: Your God reigns!”






[1] Kukini, Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukini), Last Accessed, August 10, 2009.





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