To the Christian, living life is analogous to using lenses. We live it as God envisioned it for us. Take the bifocal lenses for instance, they have an upper lens that improves our distance vision and a lower lens that supports close vision and reading. One must effectively negotiate the two lenses for better results and use. Progressive lenses, however, sharply blend the two lenses so well that it eliminates any disruption in sight when one looks at the distance and then at something up close. The smooth transition back and forth from the head down to the head up, including the space in the middle, supports better sight.

During my first trip to Haiti my worldview perspective was dramatically changed from one of curiosity to a profound understanding of servanthood, my purpose for being there, and the faces of poverty forever etched on my heart. The pain, suffering, and reality of poverty were no longer things I read about. Suffering has a name. Poverty has a heartbeat. The Haitians from Notre Dame de Lourdes I have come to know are real people with real names, with real families, living in real towns and villages. The people have the same basic needs we do, the need to be known, cared for, and to know their lives have meaning and purpose that are gained through quality education. The parishes of All Saints, St. Johns, and Heart of Mary Cluster (St. Mary, Vinton, & Urbana, and Sacred Heart, Walker) work together to find ways to support education for the 24 chaplets of Notre Dame de Lourdes in Haiti. Run for Pie is one of those ways. Come join us for a great way to spend a Saturday morning together with family and at the same time be providing much needed educational support that will help Haitian children to break out of the cycle of poverty and achieve economic and social progress. If you are interested in being a sponsor and/or registering for “Run for Pie,” go to www.runforpie.com.