Finishing Well
Something important happened last weekend: one man who listened to God and made a commitment to children finished well.
11-months ago, Barrett Keene left South Florida with not much more than a backpack, a Bible, and his faith in Jesus. His plan? Walk coast to coast to raise support and awareness for children in need. Along the way, he picked up a 20-year-old support van, slept in scores of homes, made hundreds of new friends, and walked thousands of miles to raise tens of thousands of dollars to ensure children in need all over the world could go to school. A book beckons. Here’s a snippet….
Two months ago, we sent a portion of the funds Barrett raised to Uganda’s three sewing centers – enough for 1,500 uniforms, providing two months of work for several tailors, with sewing center profits going to fund orphan care. That one investment blessed hundreds lives half a world away, from the northern reaches of Gulu (near South Sudan) to the southern community of Kabale (near Rwanda). So, no wonder, when Barrett walked across the finish line of the Golden Gate Bridge this weekend, the mayor of San Fran gave him a key to the city. Later that day, One Direction held a rock concert in his honor on Alcatraz and convinced thousands of pre-teen girls to scream Barrett’s name. Well….not really.
You see, in the world’s eyes, Barrett isn’t a big deal, like, say, Justin Beiber. He’s not a SF Giant, who can throw a baseball 95 mph or hit it over a fence with a wooden stick. He didn’t invent the iPad…or even work on it. No, Barrett’s primary gifts are loving Jesus and loving others with all his heart. So, instead of ticker tape parades, Barrett was met and hugged by about 15 people, family and friends, who love him like crazy….and a few thousand more (in spirit) that Barrett loved well along the way.
I can’t wait to see Barrett again. To thank him, not just for the miles he walked, but the people he loved….and not just God’s children in need of school uniforms around the world, but God’s children in need that he loved from state to state, like me. When you talk with Barrett, you have his full attention. He cares, like you are a brother or a sister, because you are.
I’ve heard that Barrett’s not perfect. I do know he hates getting personal attention for what God has done (like this blog). Still, now is a time to celebrate! We don’t do it enough. Barrett, God was faithful. You followed. You finished well. Hearts were touched. Lives were changed. Thank you for showing us how! And the best news? God’s not done yet!
Love and Respect,
Your GO Project Family