Lynn's Prayer Walk Relay for Appalachia

This summer I witnessed the beauty and the poverty of the Appalachian mountains in northern West Virginia. In some ways it felt like home here in Washington state, thanks to the abundance of green trees. In other ways it was plain to see that family upon family were dwelling in homes that would be condemned as uninhabitable, here in Washington.

I learned that generational poverty is completely different than the temporary poverty caused by a sudden downturn in the economy or by a health crisis. Generational poverty exists in rural areas like Appalachia due to an extreme lack of jobs yes, but also to generations lacking in education and opportunity.

This past summer it was brought to the attention of local World Vision staff that an elderly woman had been living without running water for something like 25 years...! So they installed plumbing and a hot water heater - and a working toilet...can you imagine the tears all around as the woman received that amazing gift? And the ability to take a WARM shower?

The staff also told me about a teenage girl involved in WV's community/youth programs, who worked very hard at her studies throughout high school, and managed to earn a scholarship to a college some 25 or so miles away. Her ticket to a better life, within her grasp!! Only, her father refused to allow her to go. Many of these folks have never even been out of their own counties. They do not want to lose their children to the "outside world." The girl was heartbroken. (I am dying to know what happens now...surely she will find a way?!) But maybe not. Girls get married and have children very young here. And the generational cycle of poverty continues...

I love that the work World Vision is doing, which is supported in part by our local Women of Vision chapter, is not a "hand out", but instead, is a partnership: a "hand up." Families receiving missions teams for home improvement projects are referred by their local pastor, and must meet numerous requirements to receive services. And at the end of the missions project they provide a meal for the entire team. I was so blessed to spend a little time helping out at the home of Patti, a mother of 14 and grandmother of 60+ children. Despite a difficult life she was joyful and inviting, and her belief in God and in his people seems unshakable.

After I returned home, some friends invited me to join their 8-woman walking relay team. Maybe you have heard of it...the Portland to Coast Relay? At first I thought, no way! Last year I did a half marathon and I vowed I would not participate in anything over 10 miles again!! And my part of the PTC relay is 14+ miles! Thankfully however, I have three legs with a couple of hours rest in between each, to cover those 14 miles. And I thought, what if I decided to pray for the people of Appalachia along the way, and raise a little money for Appalachia program work?? So I decided to go for it!

I know there are many, many causes clamoring for donations these days, and we cannot give to everything that comes our way. But even $5 or $10 here and there adds up to make a difference! I believe in helping our brothers and sisters right here in America. And now that I have seen the dedication and hard work of our World Vision staff in West Virginia, and met women & children in Appalachia first hand, I know I want to have a hand in lifting these dear people out of spiritual and physical poverty.

So if you feel led, please join me by donating to our projects. All donations given via this link directly benefit the projects supported by this Women of Vision chapter.

And if you are so led, please pray for me on Friday & Saturday August 27 & 28, as I complete my relay legs. Our start time is 4:30am on Friday, and we should roll into Seaside Oregon for the final mile at about 10:00am Saturday morning. One of my legs will be walked in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night (which is a little scary!)

1.  Leg 18 - classified "Hard" - 4.15 miles, all a gradual uphill:  I will pray for Morgantown, WV

2.  Leg 26 - classified "Hard" - 5.77 miles, with a 2-mile uphill at the end:  I will pray for Philippi, WV

3.  Leg 34 - classified "Moderate" - 4.13 miles - yes - a short leg with gently rolling hills! I will pray for our staff conducting the massive work being facilitated out of World Vision's global distribution center in Pittsburgh, PA.

See more photos from Lynn & Laura's Appalachia trip here.

Donate to Lynn's Prayer Relay here.

Thank you sooooo much!!

Lynn, of SPS Women of Vision