Chad and Sara Whitehead: We met this wiry youth pastor from Utah in the summer of 2003 when he served on an ISF team to Germany. Just as many of our volunteers do, Chad became hooked on sports missions!  Since then he has served on four more projects and has mobilized many members of his church and youth group to join in his journeys.

Last summer he served on a team to Uganda and he was deeply moved by the plight of the people there. The Ugandan pastor the team worked with, Geoffrey, gained a spot in Chad’s heart.  In a conversation towards the end of the project, Chad asked Geoffrey about his vision for the tortured northern half of Uganda.  Chad had seen the devastation of AIDS and generations of civil war that has plagued the country.

Chad recalls that Geoffrey’s eyes lifted as he told of his dream to someday build an orphanage for the children of Nebbi affected by war and HIV/AIDS.   Chad was not sure what he could do to help so he just continued to ask questions about Geoffrey’s dream.  Geoffrey explained that the two acres of land would cost about $2,000. That was the starting point and they would build and grow as God provided.  Chad was faced with a challenge but was not sure how to meet it.  He had been introduced to the concept of the Team ISF Charity Race Teams for raising support.  Then, reluctantly, as a professed NON-RUNNER, he knew in his heart that the only way to help Geoffrey and the children was to run a half-marathon.

So in August he started his journey.  He joined the ISF CRT.  It was easy, he just went to our website and filled out the form to be a team member then he set his goal to raise $2,000 and run a half marathon in two hours. By Thanksgiving he ran a 5K, then in January a 10K and finally in April he completed a half marathon in 1:59:46 and raised $2600!

Chad will be the first to admit that many people could have run it faster but he knew that it was what he was supposed to do.  He logged over 350 miles in training and has written about his journey on his blog. Search keyword Uganda to read more.

In fact, Chad and his wife are actually in the process of adopting a child from Africa.  God has truly touched their hearts with the needs of hurting people.

People who want to make a difference will find a way.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 at 10:38 am and is filed under Charity Race Team News, ISF News.