Campaign: Grand Rapids Marathon
Team: Daybreak

John VanLaan

I started this journey in January for my personal health as part of a biggest loser competition at work. Along the way, I met up with a group of runners who were training for the Grand Rapids Marathon on a mission to provide clean water in the form of clean water wells in Africa for communities who do not have clean water. I have adopted a couple of inspirational quotes to help me get through my training. The first is "The road to easy street goes through the sewer". I find this true not only in my training but also in life overall. Then I think of the "sewer" I endure compared to the "sewer" God's people in Africa endure everyday without the essential resource of clean water. My "sewer" is their Easy Street and I can't begin to understand the"sewers" they go through on a daily basis. My last quote I often recite to help me get through my training is "The mind will quite before the body does". I find this very accurate (although,  my mind and body were equally on the verge of quitting in my recently completed 25K during the final miles of the Riverbank Run).  Then I think of the people in Africa without the basic element of clean water, their bodies have no chance to compete with their minds in performing the most basic functions of survival just trying to live their lives.  Please join me in fighting for God's less fortunate people by providing clean water to as many communities as we possibly can by helping me reach my goal of raising $1000 as I use my gift and love of running by joining HopeWater International Team Daybreak by running the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 15, 2017.  I will continue to update you on my training as well as our team's progress in reaching our goal of providing clean wells through HopeWater International. Please give generously and thank you for your continued support.