Race for Refuge 2014

Not sure what is more foolish - signing up for 20K (12.4 miles) race without training or thinking you can actually could do something about the global exploitation and enslavement of young girls and women.

The older you get, the wiser you supposedly become. But what does "wiser" actually mean?

I've been asking myself that a lot more these days. My fear is that as I get closer to receiving all that AARP paraphernalia, my life will increasingly become one risk-management activity after another. 

I would argue that "wiser" actually means knowing what are the really important things in life and focusing your time and energy and days like a laser beam pursuing them.  Perhaps counting the cost but knowing some things are worth the risk and effort. First things first. 

I would say the exploitation of young Filipina women and girls would rank up there as one of those things that are worth our audacious efforts.  I can recall our decision in 2008 to jump off the proverbial deep end to join International Justice Mission and eventually My Refuge House.   Some people thought we had gone off the deep end.  Our family (three kids at the time) saw this as in invitation to Life.  Looking back, we have absolutely no regrets and instead have a long track record of God's faithfulness to boast about. 

Team Bermejo is lacing up the Kayano 13s and to run/walk/crawl 20K on March 15, 2014.  As part of the Race for Refuge and the larger Missions Race event Team Bermejo along with several other freedom runners will attempt to raise $13,000 for My Refuge House, which is a rescue shelter for young women and girls rescued from sex slavery in the Philippines.  For the last five years, MRH has stood in the aftercare gap in Cebu, providing hope and healing when the journey of freedom remained dark and uncertain.  Team Bermejo's goal is to raise $1000 which would translate into lots of hope. 

My oldest daughter, Hana Grace, was nine years old when we were in Cebu.  I remember taking her to My Refuge House and her questions about why the girls were there.  At the time, I told her that we were taking care of them while they were away from their families so they could go back to school, where all kids should be.  At age 14, she now understands the real reasons of their situation.  She is the same age of some of the girls we have cared for. 

My youngest daughter, Sora Hope, age 3, has agreed to join her papa by riding in a jogger stroller for 12 miles.  She was supposed to join two years ago (22 months at the time), but backed out at the last minute.  She and her papa are now a few pounds heavier.   Our last race was the 2012 OC Marathon.  We didn't train for that one either yet was able to raise over $1300 anyways.  Remember where the magic happens.

We welcome your financial support and prayers.  To donate, please visit our fundraising page, where you can make a direct donation to MRH.  God bless. 

 

Reckless Hope - OC Marathon May 2012

There are some things you shouldn’t even try to do without training and preparation:

• Brain surgery.

• LSAT.

• Driver’s License.

• Have kids.

• Run a Marathon.

And then there are other times, where action is immediately required:

• Burning house

• Drowning kid

• Free buffet

• Injustice

Team Bermejo is at it again. On Sunday, May 6th, we will be “running” (jog, walk, crawl) the Orange County Half Marathon (13.1 miles). Usually, not a good idea to run without adequate training (I have a 1,000,001 excuses – none of them good ones).

But we have a higher goal in mind - aside from finishing – and that is to raise $1,310 dollars ($100 x 13.1 miles) for My Refuge House – a safehouse in Cebu, Philippines which provides protection and restores hope for young girls and women rescued from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Joining in on this race for the first time is the youngest team member – Sora Hope, age 22 months, who will ride along in a jogger stroller (for as long as she can tolerate it). 

She’ll be pushed by her Papa, who thinks raising money so young girls can have a hope and a future is a no-brainer and worth risking life and limb (and knees).   One day, she'll more fully understand Romans 5 (verses below) and that there are some things that require a deeper love and greater courage (Team Bermejo's motto). 
Team Bermejo will be running with Hope (literally). Fueled with reckless hope and your support.  Team Bermejo did this in 2010 and was blown away by the support we received. 

Donate online - visit the MRH website

Or mail a donation to: P.O. Box 4864, Diamond Bar, CA 91765-0864

Please note “Hope” on your donation. 100% donation goes directly to MRH.

For more information about My Refuge House, please visit their website.
Any questions, please email Team Bermejo at russmegumi@gmail.com

God bless.

"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

Romans 5:2-4 (NLT, ESV)

Donation Info

The response has been amazing in just the last 24 hours. Our search for 100 people to donate $13.10 is down to 70. We have received pledges for almost $400. Praise God for generous hearts. We can do this!

Below is how to send your donation:

You may write a check to “My Refuge House” and send it to:

My Refuge House
P.O. Box 4864
Diamond Bar, CA 91765-0864

Or you can make an online donation via Pay Pal using your credit card via this link.

My Refuge House respects and protects the privacy of our online visitors and donors. We will not share any personal information with third parties.

All gifts are tax deductible. You will be sent a receipt of your donation.

My Refuge House has zero administrative costs here in the USA and all donations will be sent to benefit our program, staff, and residents in Cebu. Thank you for helping us restore one life a time.

Team Bermejo - Deeper Love, Greater Courage

Team Bermejo is dusting off the running shoes and has signed up for the Orange County Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, May 2, 2010.

We have set an ambitious goal to (1) run after years of sedentary living; (2) complete a race with the newest team member, Tomoki, age 2, who has never done anything like this before; and (3) raise money for sex trafficking survivors in Cebu, Philippines.

Our goals are to:

- take better care of the one body we have been given by our Creator
- enjoy every mile knowing that every step, every breath is grace. Papa will be pushing Tomoki in a jogger stroller. Papa does the work, baby's job is to trust.
- raise $1310 for My Refuge House, which is a safehouse for rescued survivors of sex trafficking in Cebu.

Team Bermejo is looking for 100 to donate $13.10 - that's $1 for every mile. We can do this - step-by-step, mile-by-mile, one person at a time restoring one life at a time. This is how you complete a half-marathon and certainly how you tackle an epic evil such as sex trafficking.

All we need is a deeper love, and greater courage - which is the motto of Team Bermejo.

We will post more details on this blog in the next few days. God bless!

Russ' Finish Times

Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Finish Times:

Long Beach Half Marathon (Oct. 2004): 2 hours, 11 minutes
Orange County Half Marathon (Dec. 2004): 2:18
Pacific Shoreline Half Marathon (Feb. 2005): 2:06
Big Sur Half Marathon (Oct. 2005) 2:19
La Jolla Half Marathon (Apr. 2006) - 2:12
Southern Cal. Half Marathon (Dec. 2006) - 2:30* Team Bermejo

Marathon (26.1 miles) Finish Times:

San Diego Rock N' Roll Marathon (Jun. 2005): 5 hours, 12 minutes
Orange County Marathon (Jan. 2006): 4:56
San Francisco Marathon (Jul. 2006) - 5:01

Upcoming/Planned Races (Russ only)

Tokyo Marathon (Feb. 2007) - I look forward to running in Megumi's hometown with her parents there
Big Sur Marathon (Apr. 2007) - this is my dream race - stunning views and grueling hills along Highway 1 (Carmel to Big Sur)

Race Day!

Team Bermejo up and ready for the Southern California Half Marathon in Irvine! God bless our kids! Papa has dragged them out of bed numerous times for these kind of racing events.

Little Sei Honor was calm before the race...and was asking where Mama was.

We started line up right against the recruits from the Orange County Sheriff's Academy, where they shouted out orders and cadence. With so many people surrounding us, it was enough for Sei to be preoccupied until he....

...asleep around mile 3.

Not even the shouts of support, such as "good job, baby!" and "oh, he's so cute" woke him up. He did not ask for Mama until he woke up around mile 10, and he only asked once. I told him that we will see her soon, and that we were almost "home." He said okay, ate some bananas at the water stop, and was even singing during the last mile. This gave Papa the extra energy to push towards the finish line. Little Sei did such a great job! We were especially amazed with the amount of young kids running the race. Many of them had "Run for LA" t-shirts and were running with classmates and teachers as part of their fitness training for the 2007 LA Marathon. Their determination and will not to give up was such an amazing inspiration.

Prior to the race, I made a list of people that we were going to pray for during each mile. I started doing this during my last race at the San Francisco Marathon, and it kept my mind more focused and on other things than on the pain and the miles. So all throughout the race, we prayed for our family, friends, our small group Bible Study, our home church, and finally, Free Wheelchair Mission and those they serve. The last mile, we especially lifted praise and thanks for the Cross where Christ Jesus endured suffering for us. And then finally, I thought about His Coming, and the exhileration and joy we will experience that day when we cross the Heavenly finish Line! Praise, Glory, and Honor to the One Who Never Grows Weak and Weary! As we neared the race finish line, I tapped Sei on top of his head, and thanked Jesus for being with us and using us for His higher purposes.

Special thanks to my sister, Emily and my four nephew and nieces, Sergio, Mia, Kiana, and Kai who came out to support Team Bermejo and were right there cheering us on at the finish line. And finally, my wife, Megumi, and our daughter, Hana - always for their love, faith, support, and prayers.

Thank you to everyone who offered Team Bermejo encouragement and support in our efforts to raise money and stir hearts for FWCM! We were strengthened and inspired by your compassion and generousity!

Notes:

Finish Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Sei's Sleep Time: 7-8 miles (miles 3-10)
Temperature: Bright, sunny, and warm - a beautiful day to be alive
Body: i've felt better during previous half-marathon, however, however, I couldn't be more pleased how we did;
a killer charlie horse cramp about 20 minutes after the race
Post Race: we all went to lunch at Souplantation, then to OCC Choir practice, saw the end of UCLA's upset of USC (go Bruins!) and then off to a Christmas Program in Loma Linda. A tiring yet awesome day!

Question of the Day: After the race, Hana asked her mom "Does this mean that Sei has run a half-marathon?"

He Never Grows Weak Or Weary

With a little less than 12 hours before the race, Team Bermejo (actually only Papa, Sei doesn't have a clue) is frankly a little anxious. The foot pain that I started experiencing over a week and a half ago seemed to linger, thus wiping out all our plans for any training runs. Although we have no idea how it will go tomorrow, we can only try our best and leave everything to the One Who Never Grows Weak or Weary.

We came across the worship song "Everlasting God" (lyrics below) and it reminded us of the verses from Isaiah 40 below. We will carry both song and verse every step of the way tomorrow.

HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD? HAVE YOU NEVER UNDERSTOOD? THE LORD IS THE EVERLASTING GOD, THE CREATOR OF ALL THE EARTH. HE NEVER GROWS WEAK OR WEARY. NO ONE CAN MEASURE THE DEPTHS OF HIS UNDERSTANDING. HE GIVES POWER TO THE WEAK AND STRENGTH TO THE POWERLESS. EVEN YOUTHS WILL BECOME WEAK AND TIRED, AND YOUNG MEN WILL FALL IN EXHAUSTION. BUT THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD WILL FIND NEW STRENGTH. THEY WILL SOAR HIGH ON WINGS LIKE EAGLES. THEY WILL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY. THEY WILL WALK AND NOT FAINT.

ISAIAH 40:28-31

EVERLASTING GOD

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
***

Team Bermejo thanks you for your encouragement and support and for being our "cloud of witnesses" as we "run with endurance the race God has set before us" (Hebrews 12)

Training Log

Date: Sunday, November 19, 9:30 am
Distance: 5 miles
Route: Culver, Portola, Peter's Canyon Bike Trail
Time: Over an hour
Conditions: Bright, sunny warm
Felt: a little fatigued, legs strong, the arm positioning pushing the stroller does not feel good, a little foot pain this evening.

Notes:
- I asked Megumi to pray over us before we start.
- Hana rode her bike for the first 1.5 miles with Megumi running right behind Sei and me.
- Hana got tired so she and Megumi went back
- While on Portola, someone asked me for directions to get to Santa Margarita Pkway via toll roads. I gave them directions and as they drove off, I realized I gave them the wrong directions. I felt so bad......
- Throughout the first 2-3 miles, Sei is say "Mommy, Mommy" and actually starts to cry...I tell him that Mommy is waiting for us and we will see her soon....I start wondering how he is going to survive 13 miles without Megumi....I then start saying "Papa is here...We're almost home" and say this repeatedly while seemingly out of breath....This seems to calm him, and it calmed me. I just love it how God sometimes reveals Himself...and with a quiet still voice, He reminded me that we can endure this life because "Papa is here, and we're almost home."
- I am beginning to get excited for Sei because we are almost back home, where his sister and mommy were going to be waiting..as I am cooling down, I stopped, and looked over to see his face, I discovered that he had calmly fallen asleep...resting...I was both happy yet sad...don't know exactly why...
- I tell Megumi that we will keep Sei up all night before the Half Marathon.
- Next training run for Team Bermejo - Thursday, Turkey Trot 10K (6 miles) at Dana Point

They Will Know Us

Psalms 40 begins with the following:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God...."

And the psalms ends with..

"Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Oh, my God, do not delay."

I wonder how the poor and needy read the Scriptures, how they experience it and receive it. This psalms reminds me that the Scriptures are not mere abstractions to those who are poor. They are cries out for help, and when God meets their needs, oftentimes through the Church, their cries become "a new song" in their mouths.

Gandhi, when asked by people if he was a Christian, he would often reply "Ask the poor. They will tell you who the Christians are."

This is so true. Ask the poor all over the world, even the poor here in America. You ask the victims of Katrina in the Gulf coast today, they'll tell you who the Christians are. In face of government failures to respond to their need, it was the church who responded quickly and is still there in Lousiana. I heard of churches down there feeding literally thousands of people everyday. Imagine what has and can be done when we do small things with great love - in His name.....

...They will know us by our love....this is the greatest apologetic...

Here's another FWCM video .