The Little Things: More than just a 5K
Photo above by Christy Grote
By KELLY PRESTON, Special to The Paper
Mother Teresa is known for saying, “Do small things with great love” and if last month’s 9th Annual RACE for the Orphans 5K wasn’t an expression of this sentiment, then I don’t know what is.
It’s the big heart in every volunteer that shines through as they welcome participants and serve them with gusto.
It’s the behind-the-scenes corporate sponsors that give big so that all RACE proceeds can go directly to the grant recipients.
It’s the happy and thankful tears that are shed by adopting families as they feel loved, seen, and encouraged by the Newnan community.
It’s the people who couldn’t attend in person but chose to purchase RACE shirts so they could contribute to such a worthy cause.
It’s the moment your own daughter from China is standing on the podium after winning first place in her age group in her first 5K.
It’s seeing all of the RACE grant recipients standing together for a picture, knowing that God ordained this moment from the beginning of time.
It’s the moment a grieving but hope-filled adoptive father starts “Mia’s Mile,” named in memory of Mia, his daughter from China who recently went into the arms of Jesus.
It’s hearing the words from a friend, “My husband shared with me how much he enjoyed the RACE. His heart has been opened to a life of adoption and fostering in a way he never knew existed.”
It’s the big smile of a little girl adopted from China crossing the finish line after her first RACE while wearing her prosthetic leg.
It’s all the men, women, boys, and girls of all ages who chose to spend a beautiful Saturday morning running and walking to raise money for adopting families.
It’s the time that you look at your husband and you both smile, knowing that the Lord continues to be at work through this ministry.
And it’s the moment when you discover that $62,000 was raised to support adopting families that you lift your hands in praise to Jesus, the giver of all good things.
It’s all of these little things that add up to BIG things that show how God is on the move here in Coweta County and beyond.
Children are coming home to their forever families!
Lives are being changed!
God is being glorified!
Our desire is for each annual RACE to be more than just an event. We hope it is an experience that fulfills our mission of Raising Awareness, Compassion and Education about the needs of orphans here in America and around the world. And ultimately, our prayer is that individuals will know they are loved and wanted and adopted into the family of God!
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Kelly Preston is a nurse-turned-stay-at-home-mom to four amazing and energetic children. Though she sometimes forgets to buy toilet paper amidst their busy schedules, Kelly finds time to run RACE for the Orphans, a non-profit focused on supporting adoptive families. She loves Jesus, people, a really good book, and pondering the little things.
