This morning we got the Helping Up Mission running team back up and…well, running! At 5:15 AM, our team of Program and staff members (including Executive Director Bob Gehman) joined the folks of Back On My Feet in the inaguaral run of their new chapter in Baltimore.
Back on My Feet (BOMF) is a non-profit organization that started in Philadelphia and has just opened its second chapter here in Baltimore. It mission is “to promote the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.” So this morning BOMF, MCVETS and Helping Up Mission (that would be HUM to keep the acronyms going) started out with over 60 people in a one mile jaunt along the streets of Baltimore.
While a couple of local televison stations were on hand for this historic run – I was not! Just couldn’t make myself do it. But I am enthuisastic about the program. As a former high school track coach and a longtime runner, I know the spiritual values that come from the disciplines and comradary of running. Participation in this group activity is wonderful for each man’s recovery. It gives him one more reason to sit still for one more day – and one day at a time is the path to a lifetime of recovery.
I am excited for each guy in our Program who has made to committment to participate on our Helping Up Mission running team. We are very pleased to be partnering with Back on My Feet. We are all committed to running with patience the race that is set before us – looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director