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A Broad Street “Opportunity”

whitneyrodgers45 — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:35:51 +0000

A good friend of Ball for Lives, Kellyn Lovell, is dribbling The Blue Cross Broad Street Run in Philadelphia this Sunday for the 2nd time.

According to Kellyn, this race is the Lord providing her with an “opportunity”. In her own words, she says “Initially, I saw Broad Street as my opportunity to get back into competitive running after having major hip surgery a year ago (which it still will be). But how blessed am I to have the opportunity to run for more than a PR or a finisher’s medal. The opportunity to proclaim Christ with my life and raise funds and awareness for a cause so dear to my heart is one that I’m just so thankful for!”

Below is a message from Kellyn regarding this race and her desire to raise awareness and funds for the children of Haiti. Please pray for her as she dribbles this race Sunday and plans to visit Haiti in the very near future.

Dear friends,
If you know me at all, you probably know the two things that rank quite high on my list of life passions. One is the country of Haiti and its wonderful people; another is the sport of running. God has again orchestrated the events of my life to allow those two passions to meet and I am super excited to share this opportunity with all of you.

On May 6th, 2012, I have to opportunity to partner with my friends at Dribble The World and run Philadelphia’s Broad Street Run. The race itself isn’t that big of a deal, as there will be another 30,000+ runners that day. However, I plan on running all 10 miles with a basketball. Some of you may remember me sharing a similar opportunity with you in 2010 – how blessed I am to have this opportunity before me again this year!

The most common question I’m asked when I mention dribbling Broad Street is ‘why?’ I asked myself the same question as I thought through this opportunity and I’ve identified three main reasons:

1) This opportunity gives me a unique platform upon which I am able to raise a public awareness of the severity of global poverty in general, and specifically as it relates to Haiti,
2) Partnering with Dribble The World allows me to use a tool like this race to raise needed funds for a project in Haiti that is extremely close to my heart. I’m traveling to Haiti just two weeks after the Broad Street Run to work with the children of On the Rock Orphanage in Ouanaminthe. Any funds raised as a result of this run will go directly to the development of the orphanage and meeting the daily needs of its children,
3) God has gifted me with certain abilities and passions and I would be lax in failing to use them for His glory. Obviously, dribbling a basketball is unusual, and sure to spark a great deal of conversation. What an opportunity to point to Christ and publicly acknowledge His work in my life.

For me, the question is no longer ‘why,’ but ‘why not’? If I can use running to help the people I love so much in Haiti, I simply cannot pass that up.

So, I write to all of you today not only to share what God is doing in my life, but to invite you to be a part of the adventure! God is using me in this one, simple way. I wonder, how might He use you? Here are a few ways you can get involved:

1) Pray!
- That I won’t miss opportunities to share Christ for this event. It’s really easy for me to focus on the fundraising or just the race itself and fail to give God the credit for putting me in this situation in the first place.
- That fundraising goals are met (more information on that below).
- For the trip to Haiti at the end of the month to distribute the funds raised and minister to the people there.
- Good weather on race day (superficial, I know, but I’d appreciate it, nonetheless).
2) Give!
Over the course of 10 miles, I’ll dribble the basketball approximately 5,000 times. The goal that I’ve set with Dribble The World is one dollar per dribble. $5000 is ambitious, I know, but I serve a big God and I believe that he can use something as silly as dribbling to accomplish His purposes. Additionally, if you know of businesses, organizations, or individuals who would be interested in sponsoring one or more dribbles, please send them my way!
3) Come!
If you’re anywhere near the Greater Philadelphia area on May 6th, come down to Broad Street and cheer me on! I’ll be the one with the basketball

If you’ve read all the way to the end of this message, I’m both humbled and impressed! Thanks for letting me share what God is doing in my life. If you want to know more, feel free to message, call, text, or catch up in person – I’d love to hear from you.

By His Grace,
Kellyn

Running With Compassion

whitneyrodgers45 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:27:47 +0000

We are continually amazed by the people the Lord puts in our DTW family and how He uses events, moments, and interactions that we know changed our lives to change others as well, sometimes without us even realizing it. A young man who visited New Jersey with his youth group from North Carolina, met Occh, heard his testimony, and now, several years later, he has decided to dribble a Half Marathon!! Spencer Leeds will dribble the Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon for Compassion International. Read about Spencer’s decision to dribble this race:

Hey, my name is Spencer Leeds and I am planning to run in the Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon on April 1, 2012. That is one thing I never thought I would say, but there is more. I am running the race while dribbling a basketball. Let me tell you why real quick. Recently my dad started running, alot. It really impressed me, and when I heard he did well in a half marathon I started to get the desire to run with him. After one run with him I needed something to take mind off the pain! So I grabbed a basketball and then it hit me. I remember doing missions work with a guy up in New Jersey named Occhi. He started an organization called Dribble the World after getting some recognition from running in a big race in New York with a basketball. He didn’t do it though just for fun, he did it to Raise Awareness for a cause that he was passionate about. I loved that idea when I first heard it, and it took picking up a basketball and running for fun to realize that I still loved the idea! Every day I run around my school’s campus, Liberty University, to prepare for my race, I bring a basketball with me. That both helps me to remember why I am doing this, but also to raise awareness for the cause that I have chosen to those who ask me.
The Cause that I have chosen to support is Compassion International. This organization uses forms of support such as financial, prayer, and love to support children in need all around the world though local churches. I can’t fully express how amazing it has been to support a kid named Trevor Ojanga in Uganda, Africa with my sister. We get monthly letters from the Pastor of Trevor’s church with recent news about Trevor and recent drawings that are so cute. I love that there is a way to support a kid on the other side of the world in such a way. So that is why I am running, to Raise Awareness for Compassion International. If I could get just one person to realize that they could also support a child then I will have considered this mission a success. Please pray for me as I continue to train for the race, and also support Compassion International in any way you can, whether with your prayers, financially, or like I am by Raising Awareness. Thanks!
-Spencer

Please pray for Spencer as he trains for this race while continuing his studies. Please pray for Compassion and all the work they are doing for children around the world. Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion or making a donation to this cause in honor of Spencer’s race.
-Whitney

My Second Half!

occh — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:32:34 +0000

Some of you may remember that 2 years ago I did my first Half Marathon. My “goal” was to dribble a half before I was 30, and I accomplished that with 2 days to spare. It was by the grace of God I accomplished that task, and thankfully He provided some great helpers to encourage me. Ashley Ten Kate ran this Half with me and motivated me to do my best and I had a great group of friends there cheering me on. I needed it. This Half was in Queens and it looped around itself and when you passed Mile 2, you saw the sign for Mile 9, and I can tell you that is a bit discouraging. Regardless, I kept thinking “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”.

This year I got into the NYC Half through the lottery. I’ll say, I was a bit surprised, but I know the Lord has a plan for me. I also know that it will once again be by His grace that I finish. Ever since my last race, I have wanted to run for Empower-A-Child, the organization that I had the privilege of working with when I went to Uganda in 2008. On March 18th, I plan to to run in honor of EAC.

EAC “seeks to bring confidence and sustainability to orphaned and vulnerable children of East Africa by teaching them modern skills, giving them the opportunity of education, and enlightening through the word of God”. My life was truly changed by this trip to Uganda and I was inspired to see this group of people, all who were younger than me and most who were Uganda natives, who wanted to make a change in their communities and share God’s love with children who were hurting, abandoned and forgotten. I am so grateful that God led me there and showed me how He can use individuals to make differences for His kingdom in their own backyard or around the world.

Please pray for me as I train for this race, that I stay focused and remember the purpose of dribbling. Please pray for Empower A Child and all they are doing in East Africa for the children there, take a few moments to check out their website and see what projects they have going on. Finally, please pray for the children of East Africa many of whom have been abandoned and forgotten due to the AIDS epidemic. Pray that they learn how precious they are in God’s eyes and that they are worth something.

All support raised from this race goes directly to Empower A Child. If you feel led, please donate via PayPal or check to:

Ball for Lives

395 Park Avenue

Fairview, NJ 07022

Thank you for your kindness and love,

Whitney

Jose Grullon is Dribbling the NYC Marathon!

occh — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:52:32 +0000

When I dribbled the New York City Marathon in 2007, I crossed the finish line with two thoughts:

-I’m in a lot of pain!!

-Imagine if God spread this idea so that other people all over the world could dribble races to help those in poverty!!

Over 30 Races later, here we are today!

When I dribbled that Marathon, Jose Grullon was a freshman at Memorial High School in West New York, NJ where I sub and coach. His first exposure to Dribble the World was when he ran in our first ever 100 Mile Challenge.

Since then, Jose has participated in every one of our 100 Mile Challenges and Descalzo Relays!

Jose really took his involvement to the next level when he joined Create the Crossover’s Prom Trip to the Dominican Republic to work with orphans and the elderly.

As Jose continued to join us on these events, we would frequently talk about a dream of his that he would accomplish after he graduated: dribbling the New York City Marathon with a Basketball!

Just months after he graduated this past June, Jose is ready to achieve for us another powerful reminder of God’s grace: our 5^th straight New York City Marathon!

Jose has chosen to run for Lend-A-Hand India, an organization working hard to change young lives throughout India through education. Half of India’s poplulation is under the age of 25, and in rural India, there are an estimated 24 MILLION unemployed working age youth. These young people are many times forced to move into already overcrowded cities. Check out an impressive video from Lend-a-Hand India, expaining how they plan to reach 20,000 youth with job training: Plan 100 Video.

WANT TO DONATE TO LEND-A-HAND INDIA IN HONOR OF JOSE?

-You can visit Jose’s personal donation page to donate online by following this link: crowdrise.com/LendAHandindia/fundraiser/JoseGrullon

-Like other DTW events, you can always donate to Ball for Lives on the right side of this webpage (just type Jose’s Marathon under “Note to Seller” during your paypal session).

-Checks can be made out to to Lend-a-Hand India and mailed to Ball for Lives - 395 Park Ave - Fairivew, NJ 07022.

Each donor will receive a copy of a book entitled, “No Longer a Slum Dog” from an amazing organization named Gospel for Asia. GFA labors to spread the hope of Jesus Christ throughout India as they meet the physical needs of the poor and oppressed. It is our honor to spread their message through Jose’s marathon!

Receive a free copy of this powerful book when you donate to Lend-a-Hand in honor of Jose!

Jose, I am so proud of how you! Thank God He truly can use our actions to inspire the future generation with the incredible potential to do great things with their lives. We love you Jose! You’ll do great!

Colin Heyens brings DTW to Ontario!

occh — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:05:09 +0000

Remember these two guys?

When Ashley Ten Kate dribbled the 2009 New York City Half Marathon, she probably had little idea that it would help inspire Eric Martin and Micael Carbounneau to dribble the Quebec City Half Marathon in Canada that same year. Little did I know that Eric would then dribble the New York City Marathon a couple months later! If you’ve followed Dribble the World over the past year, you know that Eric and Micael then did ANOTHER TWO MARATHONS in 2010: the Quebec City and New York City Marathons!

I love how God takes the plans of His children and makes them so much bigger than we originally planned. So I should not have been surprised when Dribble the World received an application from Ontario, Canada saying the following:

“I found out about Dribble the World from a very distant relative (4th Cousins). These particular relatives live in the
Quebec City area and attend the same church as Eric and Rachel Martin, who, if I’m not mistaken, you know personally. So a postcard with the information on Dribble the World has been passed along quite a ways until it got to me.”

Colin Heyens is set to dribble the Hamilton Marathon in Ontario, Canada on Sunday, November 6!

Colin is a young man who has not only traveled internationally to work with kids in poverty, but has also been running and playing basketball for most of his life! Now he will bring the two together as he dribbles the Hamilton Marathon with a basketball to raise funds and awareness for two organizations that are helping kids in need:

Joy and Hope for Haiti: Colin’s younger sister was adopted from Haiti, and he has an enormous heart to help them help more children!

City Kidz, based in Hamilton, “strives to transform the lives of inner-city children, to break the cycle of hopelessness, and to end child poverty.” As we Dribble the World to save lives in 3rd world countries, we can’t forget about poverty right in our own backyard!

Check out Colin’s website and find out more about how you can join him in changing lives in Haiti and Canada!

Dribble Hamilton Marathon

We truly do serve a Sovereign King. We are praying for you Colin!

The 3rd Annual 100 Mile Challenge

occh — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:27:11 +0000

What started as a crazy idea in the spring of 2009 has become a powerful yearly event!

Sunday, October 16th will be our 3rd Annual The 100 Mile Challenge:

20 Runners dribbling a basketball 5 miles each totaling a 100 Mile Relay! The 100 Mile Challenge spans 8 different towns and cities in New Jersey and all 5 boroughs of New York City, including 8 bridges!

Check out video from the first 100 Mile Challenge HERE

Dribble the World was started in 2007 when Occh dribbled the New York City Marathon with a basketball to benefit Bethesda Outreach in South Africa. AIDS has left millions of children orphaned in Sub-Saharan Africa, and our friends at Bethesda do an amazing work in taking in these children and placing them into Christian families and their own Christian school. They also partner with local churches and orphanages, better enabling them to respond to the AIDS epidemic. Whitney and Ashley went there personally last year and saw first hand what God is doing through Bethesda!

Best of all, Bethesda’s number one priority and goal is so powerfully stated in their mission statement: “to help local churches in meeting the needs of orphan children that they may become disciples of Christ.“ Bethesda daily offers their children and the surrounding communities the most wonderful thing in all the world: a relationship with God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Unfortunately, the parent organization of Bethesda, Evangelical Baptist Missions, had to dissolve their organization this past summer. The Lord has taken care of Bethesda, and they have become their own non-profit organization. However, they lost A LOT of funding and support in the process. In this extremely challenging time for them, we want to step up and help our friends continue sharing Christ’s love with more orphans!

5 SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN RESPOND WITH US TO THE ORPHAN CRISIS IN SOUTH AFRICA:

1. Pray that God would would use our efforts to spread His love through Bethesda Outreach in South Africa, and through this event right here in our community. It is only His love that can offer both the African orphan, and the American young person the greatest love, joy, and peace in all the world.

2. If you live in the NYC area, come be a part of the event! We still have room for dribblers, runners, bikers, photographers; we will find a way to get you involved!

3. Help Spread the 100 Mile Challenge everywhere! Post this video to your facebook, share it with your Sunday School class; whatever you can do to inspire the people you know with what God is doing through the 100 Mile Challenge. Make sure you follow Dribble the World on Facebook so you can watch and share our upcoming videos.

4. Encourage Bethesda Outreach in this time of deep difficulty for them. Leave a comment on this page letting them know you care!

5. Donate to Bethesda Outreach in honor of the 100 Mile Challenge. You can give online or by check.

-DONATE ONLINE to Ball for Lives (the parent organization of Dribble the World) on the right side of this web page. Be sure to type “Nicole Smith” in “Add special instructions to seller” during your paypal session.

-CHECKS can be made out to “Ball for Lives, Inc.” and mailed to

Ball for Lives, Inc. * 395 Park Ave. * Fairview, NJ 07022.

100% of your donation will be sent to Bethesda Outreach!

BallforLives is a 501(c)3 organization, and your donation is tax deductible.

Thank you, Father, for truly being the Father of the fatherless.

Race to Her: 3 Half Marathons Dribbled this Summer!

occh — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:50:05 +0000

In our last Race to Her update, you saw a very impressive television interview in which Nicole got to share with thousands of people her vision to dribble 4 half marathons this summer!

Missed that update? You can check it out here: Race to Her puts DTW on TV!

On the day of Nicole’s final race, we want you to see the heart of God that drove Nicole to dribble 39.3 Miles this summer. Check out this video she made for Race to Her:

Sometimes when we set out to attempt great things for God, He shows us that His agenda is greater than ours. Nicole was not able to dribble her final race today due to some physical injuries. The work to bring justice to this world is the Lord’s, and He uses willing hearts exactly as He pleases. And He has used Race to Her in big ways!! We know that God loves Nicole every bit as much as the people she ran for and is doing a great work in her life through all of this.

Nicole, thank you for dribbling 3 Half Marathons in one summer. What you did to be a voice for the countless children and young women trapped in the global sex trade is beyond measure. Your efforts are a beautiful picture of the love Christ had for us when He suffered on the cross to set us free. He is proud of you!

As our hearts break for these little girls and boys across the globe, let’s get behind Nicole and all she has accomplished to share the love that Jesus has for each one of them.

Want to join Nicole in saving young lives from sex trafficking?

1. HELP SPREAD THE STORY OF RACE TO HER EVERYWHERE! Post this video to your facebook, share it with your Sunday School class; whatever you can do to inspire the people you know with what God is doing through Nicole.

2. Encourage Nicole on her Race to Her Facebook Page!

3. Give on behalf of Race to Her to help stop sex trafficking in Moldova and Minnesota by donating one of two ways:

-CHECKS can be made out to “Ball for Lives” and mailed to Ball for Lives, Inc. * 395 Park Ave. * Fairview, NJ 07022. 100% of your donation will be split between the Stitt Family in Moldova, and Breaking Free in Minneapolis, helping to save more young people from prostitution.

BallforLives is a 501(c)3 organization, and your donation is tax deductible

Gabby puts Dribble the World Back in the News!

occh — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:25:57 +0000

Remember Gabby Lauda’s Providence Rhode Island Half Marathon? Not only did Gabby finish dribbling the 13.1 miles, but she got into a MAJOR newspaper in New Jersey! Check out the story here:

The Bergen Record: Gabby Lauda adds Zest to Half Marathon.

But what is more interesting to me than a major newspaper article is to hear how God worked from the very person who dribbled the race. Enjoy this letter from Gabby!

Dear Friends,

Thank You! With your prayers and support I was able to successfully complete and dribble the Rock n’ Roll half Marathon in Providence Rhode Island. It was such a blessing to be able to use my talents and abilities that God has given me in order to stand for a passion of mine.

The race may have been a little more challenging than what I expected, being it was in the pouring rain, but I learned endurance and perseverance. This however is nothing compared to the endurance the sex trafficked victims must face each day.

I am pleased to say that a lot of opportunity to tell others why I was dribbling came often. This also gave me an opportunity to share Christ’s love as well as share about the amazing works Tiny Hands International has been doing and will continue to do.

Once again thank you all so much for your support and prayer. Thank you for your desire to help join the fight in ending this great injustice. Please continue to prayer for the sex trafficked girls in Nepal, India as well as the rest of the world! May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Gabby

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,  to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18

If you would like to donate to Tiny Hands International in honor of Gabby’s Half Marathon run through Dribble the World, you can donate online on the right side of this webpage. You can also send a check made out to Ball for Lives, Inc. to

Ball for Lives *395 Park Ave * Fairview, NJ 07022

Ball for Lives is a 501 (c)3 organization and your donation is tax deductible.

You can literally help save more Nepalese girls from being trafficked into Indian brothels! Find out more about Tiny Hands on their site, TinyHandsInternational.org.

Race to Her puts DTW on TV!

occh — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 06:53:57 +0000

In one of our recent Dribble the World posts, Race to Her: 4 More 13.1′s this summer!, I shared with you the vision of young woman in Minnesota who wanted to dribble 4 half marathons and a 10 mile race this summer to help abolish child sex trafficking. Well, not only did Nicole Smith finish her THIRD half marathon of the summer today, she has also been personally interviewed on a major news network in Minneapolis!

3 Huge Ways you can join Race to Her in abolishing child sex slavery:

1. Post this video to your Facebook page and spread the word!

2. Become a fan of Dribble the World and Race to Her on Facebook and encourage Nicole to keep going!

3. Donate in honor of Race to Her. You can donate in one of two ways:

BallforLives is a 501(c)3 organization, and your donation is tax deductible

KEEP GOING NIC!! God is more proud of you than you could ever understand.

Dribbling with Tiny Hands

occh — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:26:33 +0000

Gabby Lauda is dribbling the Rock’n'Roll Half Marathon in Providence, Rhode Island! On Sunday, August 7, she will be dribbling all 13.1 miles with a basketball for an extremely powerful cause. Check out at least the first 5 minutes of this video, then read from Gabby’s heart her desire to share the love of Christ with “the least of these.”

Dear friends,

On August 7th I plan to run a half marathon in Providence, Rhode Island. When I decided to run a Half marathon I immediately thought of Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men.” I see this as not only an opportunity to seize a personal goal but more importantly an opportunity to serve God and others.

Over the last couple months the issue of human sex trafficking has been laid on my heart. I am joining an organization called Dribble the World in which I will dribble my half marathon with a basketball and look to raise money to help an organization that helps stop the injustice of sex trafficking and provides aid to many after they have been saved from this tragedy. I am choosing to raise money for Tiny Hands International. Tiny Hands is a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the church in a developing world to help the poor over come poverty and become lights of the world. Tiny Hands is committed to finding the greatest injustices in the world, and works to relieve them in whatever way possible. They are particularly called to orphans, street children, and the victims of the sex trafficking industry.

Sex trafficking is one of the biggest tragedies in our world. In only one year an estimate of 10,000 girls are trafficked in Nepal. They are trafficked across the border into Indian brothels, and are forced to become prostitutes. The girls range from age 7-24, with an average of age 15. Nearly all of these girls are forced to begin having sex with their clients within the day of their arrival. Many are gang raped and beaten to be initiated. Often they are held in cages. These precious daughters are forced to have sex with as many as 40 clients a day. This needs to be stopped, so I chose to help join the fight to stop this injustice now. I hope you may also choose to help join the fight and join me in my efforts to raise money for Tiny Hands.

I was immediately drawn to this organization as it not only provides aid to the poor and deprived but also provides the victims with the opportunity to receive the gospel and gain eternal life with our Savoir, Jesus Christ. When I realized I was a sinner, in need of a Savior, I accepted Christ into my heart and now I live with an inexpressible joy that I simply must share. This organization not only saves lives in this passing world we live in, but also gives many the opportunity to choose eternal life in Christ Jesus.

If you feel led to donate to Tiny Hands International, you can make checks payable to Ball for Lives, Inc. 100% of your donation will be sent to Tiny Hands (You can read Dribble the World’s donation FAQs HERE). You can also donate online at DribbletheWorld.com (right side of web page) and write Gabby Lauda in PayPal’s “Add special instructions to seller” box. If you are called to prayer, please pray for those who are involved with Tiny Hands Ministry. Also pray that the victims will experience the love of Jesus through the love shown to them. Pray that they may come to know Christ as their Savior. Pray for the race on August 7th that opportunity to share Christ’s everlasting love will come about. Pray for strength for all those experiencing injustice around the world. Pray that the Glory of God becomes more evident in our world today!

I pray and ask earnestly that you, if called by God, join me in the fight to stop injustice around the world. I pray that all is done in obedience to, and for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,
Gabby Lauda

Everyone who donates $10 or more will receive a bracelet made personally by a girl in Nepal who has been rescued from trafficking! You can check out the bracelet at this link: One Girl Bracelet and more about Tiny Hands International on their website, TinyHandsInternational.org.

Great Job Gabby!!