We won the Students’ Marathon in Yei

It was tagged The Race of Life and that’s exactly what it was in many ways for 290 secondary school students in Yei, South Sudan; who took the challenge of a 5km race last Saturday and dared to win one of the 20 slots for a year’s scholarship.
 
From 12 different secondary schools, they came pumped and seemingly prepared for what has gone down as one of our best organized and focused events among the students in Yei. Many government officials and key members of the community are delighted. We are too.
 
Here are some memorable shots that tell the story in brief.

 
 

 Accreditation was needed to weed out cheats and unserious fellows. Each racer was given two packets of glucose sugar and a bottle of water.

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
It was equally very gratifying to see many young girls registering and prepped by their games masters and teachers for this race.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We had the privilege of ministering to more important dignitaries than earlier planned through this event. They heard a call to engage the Race of Life with their eyes on the Prize Himself–Jesus, the Christ!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  We let go the girls first and what a wise decision it turned out to be.
 
  

 

 
 
As they raced off from the start line, some dashed out as though the distance was a few meters off…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a few got hurt and were treated…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
some fainted at the finish line…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The winners were a marvel to many. Among them, a 14yr old girl in Class Two, small in stature but gifted in this arena above her peers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
…and their efforts were well rewarded.
 
Paul said, “…they did this for a perishable prize, but we are aiming for an eternal glory, Christ Himself.” (1Cor 9:25) My paraphrase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group photo with all the winners and the guests of honor.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our goal was not just to gather students, run round the town and award prizes. NO! We are aiming at connecting with these students are a higher level. Bringing them to a point of no return in the quest to win Christ and be found in Him. This and this alone is our core motivation for this marathon and subsequent ones. But we know we can discover golden talents among them, who could make it to the great arenas some day.
 
 
 
Thus, we invited all the winners to our church the following day for lunch. There, we cast the vision of our pursuits and also launched The Furnace Sports Club. A Christian youth sport forum, for developing world champions and future leaders in the sport arena.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We celebrated God, who gave us victory here and will see to it that we make it Home, finally.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
All the winners bought into the plan to connect with the vision of a youth sports club. Trusting we’ll deliver our promises and achieve our goals. Thank you for your prayers and support that has brought us here. We are still on course.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda.

8 thoughts on “We won the Students’ Marathon in Yei” 

  1.             well done. this is a good way to bring them to christ as it were since sport unite without taking cognisance of religion. with this more souls can be won. well done. keep at the vision

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  3.             Great One Uche. That's lovely. Wish I was there to assist. Love such things you know...Anyway, thank God for wisdom, grace & strenght. He will always prove Himself God. To Him be all the glory! To the winners (and even losers), I say, "Welcome to a proper RACE of LIFE" All the best bro!

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  4.             Uche, any well targeted focus on youths can only be right. I am so delighted for "The Race of Life" vision and its successful pursuit. Please keep up the good work. Having run and helped others to do the same, may none of us in the end be a cast away. God bless you

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  5.             What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this with us. I can see this idea could take off like wild fire! Building the Kingdom with the gifts HE has given. May God bless your day with amazing deep treasures of HIS hope and peace for the nation at your right and at your left. We, in the states, will celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow...an intentional time to give thanks. We give thanks to you and your mission endeavors. We will share your story on this day as a reminder that God wants us to fight this good fight of faith and strive for the finish line in whatever way that looks. Praise the Lord!

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  6.             Great to hear of the success of the Mini-Marathon. What a wonderful way to develop these kids for God's glory and success in life. Hopefully it will be a yearly event and there could be future great marathon runner developing through this. The Lord blesses you and multiplies the fruit of your labor.

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  7.             Thanks all for your prayers and encouragement that has started this. Our first steps out look good. May our finishing be better. Bro Sola,Peggy,Daddy AO, Bro Ernest, Seth, Emem... love ya all.

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  8.             Brother Uchie,

    Thumps up for this brother,we delight in the Lord.
    and surely being a winner or looser in such Marathons will automatically play Poul’s words that we strive for a high priz not the earthly one.

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