The Race

I met the World Champion Gold Medallist, in the 10K race, today.

Standing outside of “Noah's Ark” hotel in Sipi Falls, the manager of the lodge pointed towards a few tall Ugandan boys coming around back of the main buildings.

“World Champion!” Big grin.

The tallest one's name was Joshua; he was fairly lean, sporting a Nike t-shirt and capris. I wanted to ask him to demonstrate a run (maybe we could all race?), but figured it might be slightly out of place – small white women, asking the World Champ to “run a few” while he was resting in Sipi Falls. So our group took some pictures with him instead. That would do.

“I wonder if they do that [trick] everytime they have visitors...” the Korean volunteer, Jon, contemplated out loud.“I mean...they do want everyone to have a memorable time...”

Joshua Cheptegei is in the Nike shirt. World's Fastest 10K runner!

I looked up his picture...just to be sure :)

There were 14 of us volunteers, who had arranged to see Sipi Falls on the weekend. We left Kampala for a six hour drive in a “18 person” bus. It was half the size of any “Covell” van, but I will give credit to the 18 separate seats. Shoulder to shoulder, knees to buttocks of person in front. As usual I climbed in the back right corner near the window; Afterall, this is the most comfortable place at home. I sit in that seat in any classroom and in any vehicle. There you can see everything going on, nobody is staring at the nape of your neck, you don't have to crane to look out the front window and pretend to enjoy the view past the two front-seaters and dashboard, and you aren't trying to be gaze out your neighbours window, while really gazing at them (and they feel it). When I rode the bus in highschool, it was also the best because it sent you flying at times. I guess I didn't stop to think that's exactly what I was bargaining for 6 hours...

We drove through town after town at high speeds. As the town grazed the horizon, the honks would start, to warn anybody of an oncoming Matoto that would be flying through at the same pace as the roads on the outskirts. Animals, people, other vehicles – swerve – no problem. I'm continually amazed at the number of people selling things by the side of the road (who is there to buy if everyone is selling?), the number of children running free and the occasional garbage dump with women searching for anything salvageable. Town after town after town.

Lauren, Jon and I, sat in the back and talked about the things we'd recently been contemplating. One, was a concept derived of Lewis literature – humility and confidence. Jon paraphrased: When in the presence of those who are more knowledgeable of the Word, we can feel humble, yet not confident. Whereas, when we are following merely the law of Christ, attempting to be justified by works alone, we tend to feel pride yet don't have confidence. We know we can't keep the law, and we often fail on our own strength. We are human - limited as mankind. However, if we look to Christ, living through His strength and mercy, relying on His grace - allowing Him alone to be our righteousness, we are both humbled and confident. We recognize who we are in His presence, and we can trust in His person.

Passing through the city of Jinja, I kept looking out the window half hoping I'd see Katie Davis walking down the streets, 13 little girls trailing behind her. At 19, Katie left her entire life in North America and moved to Jinja, Uganda to teach and take care of young orphaned girls. She currently cares for 13 of her own whom she adopted. When I think of lives dedicated wholly to Christ, Katie Davis is one that comes to mind. Recognizing the frailty of life, she didn't let herself get distracted by the bright lights of where she was in America, but pushed forward with her heart established, mind set and goals clear. Here was one who has displayed much humility in her actions and writings, giving all credit to God. She says "People tell me I am brave, people tell me I am strong. I am really not that brave, I am really not that strong...I am just doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him." Moreover, her life displays a daily confidence in the Person of Christ - His promises and provisions. An example? Her 13 adopted girls at only 21 years old.

That evening at our destination, our group climbed a ridge in Sipi Falls, overlooking a large valley that stretched for miles below. We could view a hundred foot waterfall – one of “Sipi Falls” that crashed to the river below. It wove through the valley of banana and papaya trees and into the distance of Africa's plains. The sun was setting and cast it's glows and shadows on the grass hutted roofs, far below the ridge where children, merely dots from above, were still out tossing a soccer ball to one another. Here, I feel small - humbled under the beauty and power of God, through what He has made. And for all He has done, I am confident that a race run for Him, will be a race well finished.