My 100 mile challange

I have to admit, I've become complacent. It happens a lot. I start with a dream, a vision and then I start to live it. I mix together a little dream, a little crying child, a little laundry and more and suddenly I..my life...starts to become a little mundane, a little lifeless and a little complacent.

I am in Peru for a reason. I have been called. I have been given a vision. Part of that call, vision and dream includes community. Living missionally. Living a life of community. Living continually with Him in mind. Sometimes I forget, though. Sometimes I forget what community is or how to be constantly challenged in it. How to constantly be missional and intentional rather then mundane. How to continually be writing a story to share with others. I have recently been challenged to be intentional in my story. So here it is:

I went to college with some pretty incredible people. I was able to be a part of a pretty incredible leadership team. A group of people who would, without a doubt, affect the world around them. Out of that leadership team were a few guys that started Venture Expeditions. An amazing organization that takes time out of their lives to change lives. Its a community that knows how to be a community. Its a community that sees beyond telling people what we can do to help one another through the love of Christ but actually goes out and DOES something to change lives through Christ.

Venture Expeditions is an organization that gives the adventurer a chance to be a to use their talents, hobby and sense of adventure as a way to evangelize and change the lives of others through biking across the country, hiking huge mountains and running hundreds of miles. It takes commitment mentally, spiritually and physically.

Running and walking are one of my FAVORITE things to do. It challenges me. It clears my mind and now I am able to do it while helping others. As I have always admired Venture and praying often for its endeavors from afar, but now, finally, I get to be a part of it! They are currently hosting the 100 mile challenge and after really praying about it, I'm taking the challenge. Taking the challenge to stop being so stagnant, mundane and boring. Taking the challenge to accept the call of living in community in ways I wouldn't have thought of outside of my walls. I am THRILLED, that all the way in Peru, I get to be a part of this. That I get to be a part of this community, running/walking side by side with others to make a small change!

So here is the challenge. I will walk or run 100 miles in 100 days. I will be one of 100 raising $100 to go towards human trafficking prevention in SE Asia. I will be a small part of helping supply 100,000 meals for refugees in along the Thai/Burma border. Will you join me? Will you run with me? Will you be a part of this community?

On my first run! 3.5 miles down, 96.5 to go!

$100 to me, today is like a million. my situation is complicated. Although I am called I still choose to believe and run/walk in faith that $100 will be raised in support of this. Every dollar literally makes a difference. Can you help support this with me?

My uphill climb!

Will you pray for me and for Venture? Pray that as I run, I can spend my time prayerfully. I have found it to be a great chance to pray for the people of Thailand and Peru. A chance to pray for those in modern day slavery and for freedom for them, freedom in life and in Lord! Pray for Venture as they continue to work and help others and that the Lord will bring amazing opportunities to those who are involved and to the lives be ministered to.

Everyday I learn something new. Community means more then just living in the same home as others.  As I start this new "venture" it means running/walking to help others. It means that for the next (less then) 100 days I'll be extending my community around the world with others with the same goal. Christ. Real life people.

Will you please pray and consider joining with me in this community?

https://ventureexpeditions.dntly.com/fundraiser/3589

The World Cup in the Ruvar home

Tumble weeds and dust roll across empty streets and in my mind I can almost hear the old wild west song "da na na na na" as all I see is empty streets....everyone's inside...waiting  in anticipation for...The world cup! Really its not that extreme but almost. The world cup in South America is nothing like the US. People care, I mean really care. Its a months worth of soccer, soccer and more soccer. Soccer is probably one of Jenn's least favorite activities, but as for the rest of the house, ahem, world...its fantastic.

The giant screens at all the malls
showing games on rotation.

The day before the first world cup game, the boys had their "Father's day show" (every mothers day, fathers day and Christmas all schools put on shows for their parents). Traditionally, these shows contain our kiddos dancing up in tradition Peruvian attire or cool grease themed costumes, but this Fathers day was different. The boys' school, in all of its awesomeness, but on a "World Cup" themed show. A little dancing, sports playing, FIFA mascott and mock world cup trophey summed up the event. The boys were given soccer jerseys with each child adorning a different teams jersey, representing one of the teams in the in World Cup. Eli was given Germany and Ro was given Argentina. Perfect prediction. Perfectly fun.

Ro wearing Argentina & Eli wearing Germany

Opening day our kids were out of school and it sort of felt like Thanksgiving was upon us. Food was cooking all day in the kitchen, kids out of school in sheer glee and the anticipation of friends coming over hung in the air.

This is how we watch!

They won!!!

Although, we stayed busy the month of soccer was fun. Our boys wore the final two teams jerseys, brackets were created and bets were made. Ultimately the Ruiz family prevailed and won and lots time spent with friends made for a pretty incredible month.

They may be opposing teams but they are best of friends!!!