“Love Without Borders, Without Distance” Charity Marathon Event

June 25, 2016

In recent years, road-running has become one of the exercises that Taiwanese people love the most. Throughout the year, there are close to three hundred large and small-scale road-running events held across Taiwan, and people seem to be running every day. Riding on this exercise craze, Christian Gospel Mission’s J4U Volunteer Group held “The Third Charity Road-Running Event - Love Without Borders, Without Distance” on June 25, 2016 at Crescent Bridge. On the day of the event, there were thundershowers forecasted; however, the skies miraculously cleared up and became sunny. It was the event’s first collaboration with Harmony Home Association, Taiwan, attracting close to four hundred participants, passionate about public services! This also marked a new page for Providence events.

The J4U Volunteer Group visited Harmony Home this May, and interacted with and accompanied children who do not have a citizenship. The volunteers saw that there were many Different from past advocating methods, this time, we invited Artist, Xing-Guang and the Caring ambassador, Yun-jie Cai, as our guests to promote the event. The event was live-streamed the day of, invoking 25 thousand views and accumulating 10 thousand likes. There were many carnival activities available, such as the children’s magic castle, street food stands, artistic performances and 5,000/10,000/15,000 km marathon events. Because this event permitted online registration as well, it attracted the participation of many marathon enthusiasts. At the same time, the event also recruited many warm-hearted volunteers who enjoy giving. Thus, 60 percent of the participants were new participants. Overall, it seemed that 30 percent of the participants found out about the event through the internet. Among all J4U Volunteer Group events, this event benefited the most from the use of the internet.

Different from past advocating methods, this time, we invited Artist Xing-Guang and the Caring ambassador, Yun-jie Cai, as our guests to promote the event. The event was live-streamed the day of, amassing 25 thousand views and accumulating 10 thousand likes. There were many carnival activities available such as: children’s magic castle, street food stalls, artistic performances and 5,000/10,000/15,000KM marathon events. Because this event permitted online registration as well, it attracted the participation of many marathon enthusiasts. At the same time, the event also recruited many warm-hearted volunteers who enjoy giving. Thus, 60 percent of the participant population were new participants. Overall, it seemed that 30 percent of the participants found out about the event through the internet. Among all J4U Volunteer Group events, this event benefited the most from the use of the internet.

On the day of the marathon, despite the heat, volunteer group members put in special efforts to go to the venue earlier to mow the lawn. This was to ensure that the people who came would have a comfortable place to rest beneath the shade. Providence’s grand orchestra performance and a marching band opened the ceremony. Performing together for the first time this year, the two groups demonstrated the charming and tenacious Providence spirit through their exquisite performance. Their performance attracted many passersby who gathered around to take pictures. The host continuously called out, “We are a volunteer group that was formed because we believe in and take action on God's tenets of love and peace, which we learned from Pastor Jung Myung Seok. We hope that through this gospel, we can help out more people who require aid.” Within the carnival, there were body-painting booths, free food and drinks, and the Peace Medical Team that allowed the children of Harmony Home, as well as the public, to participate in a fun and meaningful way. Many runners also said, “We thank the efforts of the organizing party, and we hope to have the opportunity to participate next year as well!” At the end of the event, volunteers of the J4U Volunteer Group took the initiative to clean up the venue and the public washrooms. This gesture impressed the janitors at Riverside Park. Practicing the teachings of the Lord - actualization - is the best testimony!

“You did well! Do it in a focused way!” This is the best news that J4U Volunteer Group received this year. In the future, we will continue to spread the Word of the Lord, and just like planting seeds into the hearts of young people, we hope they can sprout and grow strong. Through our good actions, let us spread this wonderful gospel to the ends of the earth, and become the true testimony of the Lord.