Connections

Hey friends. God is on the move and we are excited to see people coming together for networking, friendships, and uniting to make a difference in the lives of people trafficked and exploited sexually and other ways.

We have a lot of dreams for Run Against Traffic and our first step is to encourage you to live your best life, healthy, healed, active, vibrant, and complete. Secondly, to come together with others as walkers, strollers, runners or whatever it is that you do for activity and make connections with others. We are setting up run/walk teams and clubs here in Utah and encourage you to do the same whereever you are.

By fall of 2010 we want to establish the first ever INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE RUN. We envision communities of walkers/runners all across the globe holding a 5k or greater event that is focused on raising awareness and funds to battle human trafficking. Will you join us? Experince is not required , just a heart for JUSTICE and a good pair of tenny-shoes.

Contact us at runagainsttraffic@gmail.com or call Carrie at 801-691-9143.

Momentum

We are on the verge of progress! It looks like we'll hold our first hosted event in Spring 2010. Stay tuned for details!

WE DID IT

INCREDIBLE is the only word that can explain the experience of running this race. Carrie & Krissi did the half marathon and Tommy did the full marathon.

God's promise of strength was evident to each of us personally in body, mind & spirit. The sense of accomplishment, encouragement, and breakthrough is overwhelming. Even as I type this message, I am coming to terms with TRUTH and how by completing this race, I am experiencing the lies I have believed about myself literally being smashed! All thanks to my king!

The race started at LEGACY BRIDGE and ended at the GATEWAY. Don't you just love that? RUN AGAINST TRAFFIC is staring off on the bridge to a new legacy of mercy, TRUTH, breakthrough & justice for people trapped in sexual slavery. Crossing that line was physically & spiritually stepping through the portal, the GATEWAY, of a new realm. What a great way to launch!

Here are the official times:

Krissi Green 2:25:42 Half Marathon
Carrie Vallone 3:05:32 Half Marathon
Tommy Green 4:50:28 Full Marathon

Please pray for each of us for a quick physical restoration!

Krissi says: There were times during the run where I literally felt the pleasure of God over us and it nearly brought me to tears. We are really fighting the injustice of the earth by loving the One Who judges in righteousness and truth whether it is with our musical abilities, voice or the physical challenge of running for a long time! We will only be able to see the impact in another time to come.

www.runagainsttraffic.com is coming soon -Any donations/pledges can be sent to Salt Lake City Foursquare Church memo RUN AGAINST TRAFFIC this will support our goals of future events and sewing into an orphanage in Thailand.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTNERING WITH US TO RUN AGAINST TRAFFIC!

We truly love and appreciate you!

Effort vs. Strength

How many times have I failed.. at anything... because I tried to have it all/be it all/do it all? I tend to drop out before I totally fail in every way possible (even if just mentally).

I can't do this race. There are plenty of reasons why...my pace is very slow, I have aches & pains in my body that say I need to stop it right now, my breathing is way outta whack, its 13 miles for Pete's sake! ... I can't do this. However, I am not running the SLC Half Marathon, WE are. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He says all I have to do is make the effort to accomplish His will in my life and He is going to provide the strength for whatever is at hand. Physically in this race, as well as in every single other area of life. My only obligation is to suit up, show up and keep putting one foot in front of the other. His divine power has given me everything I truly need for life!


May you know his strength in wonderful ways today and always.

~Carrie

Thirteen days and counting down to race day. I imagine myself crossing the line- sweaty, tired, exhilarated, amazed, happy, deeper in love with my maker. But honestly, when I do my training runs I feel like this is too far out of my league. I have yet to jog a whole outing- continuously jogging, walking, jogging, walking... repeat. But then I remind myself that I KNOW I can walk 13 miles & I KNOW I can do this thing. Somewhere between the positive thoughts I have temporary misfires that spell DOUBT. I find myself feeling like a failure before I've even begun. (silly, I KNOW!) I wonder why this is so intimidating to me? Hmm..

As I type I am reminded of something the Lord said to me on my very FIRST "jog". It was November 2008 and I was walking my exercise buddy (Chico the Yorkie). It was so cold that I was literally chilled to the bone even though I had plenty of warm clothing. I asked as I shivered, "God, how do people stay warm out here?" and I began a frozen little jog toward home. I spied a lamp post about a block away and aimed myself towards it and said, "Oh, If I could just make it to that light.." He replied, "You supply the effort, I'll supply the strength." his voice, clear as a bell. Wow. All I have to do is make the EFFORT? I don't have to be superwoman? I am willing to make the effort! All I have to do is try. I will finish this race, we will change the destiny of thousands of children, God will supply all our needs!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
~Carrie

An update on trafficking from Time.com http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1883696,00.html

Let's run AGAINST human trafficking

Can you imagine 5, 6, 7 year old girls, or anyone, being raped repeatedly each day? Can you imagine tourists stopping by for sex with children? Adults who are meant to protect the most innocent are accepting money and looking away.. even worse PERPETUATING IT! What if it were happening to your child? What would it take to move you out of your comfort zone and into action?

My friends and I are going to do whatever we can to stop sexual exploitation & trafficking- especially that committed against children.

I am Carrie & I moved to Utah in March of 2007 and ever since have been on a journey to wellness. I have lost 82 pounds and have another 60 or so to go. As a personal challenge I have decided to participate in my very first half marathon. My friend Krissi has a goal to do her very first full marathon before she hits a milestone birthday this year.

Krissi & I, as well as some other friends, are going to do the Salt Lake City Marathon in April 2009. Would you like to join us? Shoot us an email at runagainsttraffic@gmail.com to let us know you want in the team.

We want to raise $16,000 to build a home for children rescued out of sexual slavery in Thailand. Our friend Judah did what he could to change the destiny for 3 dozen girls by getting Kona coffee plants donated and now a sustainable crop is grown in the mountain villages- eliminating the practice of selling children into servitude- which usually leads to forced prostitution. (www.mercyhousecoffee.org) Mercy House is a safe place for girls who are rescued from sexual slavery and brought to live in peace, safety and love. We want to build them a new building but can't do it on our own. (Mercy House is NFP and your contributions are tax deductible)

We also are becoming more and more aware of the issue of human trafficking in the USA. IT IS SHOCKING. I will post more as I learn more.

Here is our plan for starters:

We'll do ALL THE WORK, you just cheer us on.

We'll race, you sponsor us financially. EASY, Huh?

Options:
1)One time donation: We will give you a bag of MERCY HOUSE COFFEE as a thank you Gift.
$10 donation = 1/4 kilo bag of coffee
$30 donation = 1 kilo bag of coffee

2)Sponsor by mile. Support one individual or the entire group! it is up to you. We will list the names of those who participate with the final miles total here on the blog after the race.

3)Support the training. Can you provide a runner a pair of shoes? Would you cover the cost of a registration? Anything you can do to help would.. HELP!


Do you have experience with this kind of fund raising? I am 100% new at it and would value your input!

Lets Run against Traffic!