Recovery!

Well...the walk is done! My wife and children came to Myrtle Beach and picked me up (literally) on Wednesday late afternoon.  The support via text message and twitter was overwhelming!  I was humbled by all of the people who took the time to send words of encouragement.  I wanted to write this post to give you a recap.

I did not make the 110 miles I had planned.  Due to the injury to my knee on Tuesday, I had to stop early and be driven to my overnight stop at the Rose Bed and Breakfast in Calabash. More about that in a minute.  This unexpected event meant a loss of some miles on Tuesday that I was unable to make up.  I did walk the distance needed on Wednesday, but fell short overall by 15 miles.  So I walked 95 miles over 3 days.  I was a little disappointed, but I still felt good that I walked farther than I had ever walked before, and I did make it to Myrtle Beach!

So many people helped make this walk successful, and I would like to say THANK YOU!  I would also like to say thank you to the owners of Rose Bed & Breakfast in Calabash, NC.  Warren and Nancy generously donated a room for me to sleep in Tuesday night, and were warm and gracious hosts.  If you are ever going to Myrtle Beach, please consider staying over at the Rose.  You will not regret it.  Information can be found at http://therosebandb.com/ .  

Yesterday, which was Thanksgiving was a wonderful opportunity to eat and relax...in that order.  My feet and legs are quite sore, but mending quickly.  I am thankful that God gave me this opportunity.  There were many times along the way that I wanted to quit.  Many things kept me going.  I thought of all those who were supporting me financially and emotionally.  I thought of the orphans around the world who just need someone to help them.  I tried to imagine my pain in some way identifying with the pain they face every day living without a family, or adequate food and shelter.  Then someone pointed out that the pain I was in could be my "labor pains"!  I think they are right!  I am also grateful for my wife who supported me every step of the way, and held down the fort while here husband was out walking! I love her!

I will post soon regarding the total amount raised, as some of the donations are still coming in.  If you have committed to help are would like to now, please let me know as soon as possible.  I would like for the donations to be in by the end of November.  Thank you so much!

The journey is not over.  It didn't end at Myrtle Beach.  We still have so far to go.  Please continue to pray with us as we pursue God's will in our lives concerning adoption.  If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 910-742-4888 or email me through this blog.  Thanks!

From The Heart Of Children

These photos were taken this morning by one of our church members who teaches in a local Christian school.  Yesterday, jokes were read by different students and sent via text to encourage Pastor Mark as he walked.  Mrs. Tracey's students want to help and have been bringing in coins to support the Walk Of  Hope.  Shown here are the students giving money from their piggy banks!  Thanks to Tracey Sink's class, the Beginning Learning Center,  for their support throughout the walk. 




 You Tube update from this morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUt4jGQMsYE&feature=youtu.be

It's Been A Looong Road

The road seemed really long today, the second day of the Walk Of Hope.  Setting out on already sore feet from yesterday's trek, Mark began walking again early this morning.  Today's scenery was monotonous, with little to break it up.  There were some houses, but it consisted mostly of trees, trees, trees, and you guessed it! More trees! The photo from today does have a few buildings in it, but there was just a lot of nothing to see, making it seem like he was making very slow progress.  A twisted knee, acquired this afternoon, is bringing the walk to an earlier halt than was planned, but Mark still walked for 8.5 hours today - quite a bit longer than the walking I did today!  Though a bit behind schedule to complete his goal, Mark is planning to rest his feet and give his knee a bit of time to recover in hopes that it will be well enough to allow him to finish his walk tomorrow.  Thanks for all the texts, Tweets, calls, and support today: he has not responded to many of them today but really appreciates everyone cheering him on.  Please keep them coming: tomorrow will be an even bigger challenge and encouragement will be needed and appreciated again.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElgQKXCsnQE&feature=youtu.be

And He's Off...

 It's here! Preparations for this Walk of Hope have been several weeks in the making, but now we are already three hours into it! 

 Our family arrived at our church parking lot this morning at about 6:45 and were met by four men from our church who came to pray with him and see Mark off.  It was a cool 54*, cloudy, and windy, but it was not (and is not) raining!!  (It rained all day yesterday and the chances for rain today were at 70%.  We have been praying about the weather and are excited to see an answer to that prayer.)

Mark stated that he feels like a trussed up turkey with all of the layers he is wearing for warmth and to keep the circulation moving in his legs. Armed with a backpack containing Gatorade, some snacks, reflective gear, and a cell phone, he and one of our church men started out.  He is planning to walk about 40 miles before stopping tonight, which will take a little over 11 hours at his current rate of speed.  Thanks to a borrowed solar phone charger, Mark will not have to worry about the battery on his phone dying, and calls or texts of encouragement are welcome. ((910) 742-4888)  If you text, Mark does request that you identify yourself (especially if he not likely to have your number) in the text so that he knows to whom he is responding.   As of 10:30 am, Mark is at the McDonald's in Hampstead.  You can see a video and follow his progress on Mark's Twitter account, @preacherfoster, or if you are not on Twitter, go to libertybaptistnc.com to see his Twitter feed. 

It is not too late to sponsor the walk! If you would like to be a sponsor, please fill out the form to the right of your screen and click submit. Thanks for your support.

 Here are the links to two of the you tube updates done today.  You may need to copy and paste the second one in order to view it (vs. just clicking on it).
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ROoRIw1KBs&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWHF7NjxWp4&feature=youtu.be

It's a Family Thing

Adoption is a family thing.  It takes a family, and all of a family to be successful.  When we considered adoption we set our children down and asked their permission as well.  They were excited then and they are excited now.

Above is a picture of the Walk of Hope sweatshirts we had made up for next week's walk-a-thon.  Though I will be doing the walking alone, I could not do it without them.  I am not walking for myself.  I am walking for my family, and I am walking for the child who will soon become a member of the family.

For myself, I am proud to be the head of a family that is so willing to open their heart's and their home to a  precious children in need.  If you think about it, please pray for me on this coming Monday-Wednesday.  You can follow me on twitter @preacherfoster for updates. We could still use some additional sponsors so please pray whether God would have you help us.  I look forward to posting pictures and an update when the walk is complete.  Thank you!

Countdown to Adoption Walk

One week from today I will begin the longest walk of my life.  I have trained, and prepared myself to the best of my ability.  Succeed or fail, I will be going for it.  Many people have expressed interest in helping.  I thought I would post the following ways you can help.

1. Financially!!!  Ok, I know people are stretched right now, but the recent elections show us that people have money to give to what they are concerned about.  I am concerned about the plight of the fatherless.  Our family has decided to do something about it.  Won't you help?  Every donation helps.  Really!

2. Prayerfully.  Let me know you will be praying.  I will need strength beyond my ability to complete the walk in the allotted time.  Please pray for safety and strength to complete the journey.

3. Logistically.  If you are a local, then there are other ways you can help.  I will need someone to meet me at designated times to bring me food and replenish my liquids.  I will need someone to bring my night bag to the hotels where I will be staying.  Can you help?  Call me and let me know! 910-742-4888


We still have a long way to go before we are able to cross the finish line of adoption.  We have so much to learn and so far to travel, but I believe that if we do what we can, God will do the rest.  I also believe He will touch the hearts of others to help along the way.  Remember, He is concerned about the fatherless!  Will you pray about what God would have you do?

Doing What You Can

We are coming down to less than 20 days until the Walk-a-Thon.  There are days when I am overwhelmed with the enormity of the task of adoption.  The cost alone is prohibitive, and then there are all of the other giants that mock and tell you that it can't be done.  They are right.  It can't be done.  That's what is so great!

Yesterday I set out to walk 24 miles in one stretch, along the route I will be taking during the actual walk-a-thon.  Up to this point the farthest I have walked at one time is twelve miles.  To be honest it was tough.  There were a number of times I wondered what I was doing!  I did it though.  Someone asked the question, "Based on your walk yesterday, how do you feel about the actual walk coming up?"  My answer was simple. "I think it's impossible.  That's why I can't wait to get started!" 

Let's face it, sometimes God calls you to do something impossible. So what do you do?  You do what you can, and trust God to do the rest!