SPIRIT RUN

excerpt from ANNE'S WRITINGS: also @RACE UNITY. COM (see Aug 31, 2010)

In 2000 a group of youth composed of mostly Native American tribes but also others decided to make a run across the country starting on the west coast and touching the sea on the east coast proclaiming that God is most Glorious! 
 This is an email I sent out during this event.

When the Spirit Run youth came through Illinois and ran up the steps to the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, with their beautiful radiant faces. accompanied by native drums, crying "Ya Baha-ul-Baha" (God is most Glorious), fulfilling a wish of Abdu'l-Baha to "raise the call though on foot" I was moved to tears.  When I heard the stories of their sacrifices to make this 3,000 mile journey of the spirit to teach the oneness of mankind across our country I was inspired and full of awe and wonder.  There was a core of nine with backup groups bringing the number to nineteen.  The youngest was fourteen and the oldest 30.  There was a support group of adults who set up and took down tents along the route, arranged for the food, attended to the bruises and sore muscles and encouraged them every step of the way.  One youth who had injured his knee and couldn't run, got up in the early morning before any one else and walked his eleven miles for the day so he would not slow anyone down and could still be a part of the run.  Another time when they were behind schedule some of the youth ran in the middle of the night so the miles could be covered and they could still arrive on time for a community to greet them as planned.  Some of the youth sent their school work back to their home town by internet after their daily run.

When the leader of the group spoke on the steps of the House of Worship he said that it was not the individuals who needed to be recognized but the message they carried of the oneness of mankind and the need to come together in unity and love.  The group of youth had quite a few tribes represented, two Persians, a Guanimanian, a very blonde youth, a youth with Native American, African-American and Caucasian ancestry, a youth with three tribes in his family.

If you are in the upcoming route please make every effort to greet them, this encourages and uplifts them in their journey.  Keep them in your prayers.  This is not an easy effort for them but they are totally committed to going all the way from Seattle to New York before they are through.  When they stop for a meal or visit they start at the very point of their break so not even an inch is missed by them.

Much love in the struggle,

Anne
7-24-2000