June 16-17, 2018
Face the physical and mental challenge of completing a 10k race • Engage with other cultures by interacting with athletes from all over the world • Develop teamwork and leadership skills by training and competing together • Serve at a public orphanage in San Pedro Sula
OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $500 PER RUNNER
*We are working to raise funds for Trekkers so we can keep discipling and facilitating personal transformation through service and adventure trips, cycling, UrbanDreamers arts activities, leadership retreats, rock climbing, and more.
learning OBJECTIVES
Outdoor Adventure: Given the opportunity to compete in the 42nd annual Marathon La Prensa, our Trekkers will train outdoors around Copán for more than a month leading up to the race. On June 18, they will face the physical challenge of running 10 kilometers in the infamous heat of San Pedro Sula.
Cross Cultural Experiences: Given the opportunity to interact with international runners from a group of more than 5,000 race participants, our Trekkers will discover differences and similarities in their own culture compared to that of someone from as nearby as El Salvador or as far away as Kenya or the USA.
Community Service: Given the opportunity to visit and serve in the Senderos of Amor Orphanage in San Pedro Sula, youth will provide an afternoon of fun and learning for 50 children, including kids with special needs. In doing so, they will practice Christ’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, experiencing the sacrifice and the reward of obeying one of the greatest of Jesus’s commandments.
Leadership & Teambuilding: Given several weeks of preparation for the trip, our Trekkers will work together to plan and execute a mini-camp for the children of Senderos de Amor Orphanage.
Given the physical and mental challenge of training for and completing the 10k race, our Trekkers will motivate themselves and each other in their pursuit of the finish line, meanwhile gaining a greater understanding of Paul’s exhortation in Hebrews 12 to let go of the sin that slows us down and “run with endurance the race God has set before us” (v.1).
Meet our Runners!
Yelsi Escalón, Age: 15 From: Santa Rita de Copán, Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister. I’d like to study psychology at the Universidad Autonoma de Honduras. I like to read, study, and play soccer. It’s difficult to not have my parents with me, but I live with my grandma, who loves me a lot. Reading the Bible and trusting in God have helped me get over the difficulties of my situation. He is wonderful, and I hope to achieve my dreams while showing His love to people—especially kids.
Wilmer Mejia, Age: 18, From: Barrio El Calvario, Copán Ruinas, Siblings: 6
I’m currently studying business administration. I like to run, play soccer, read, and draw. Someday I would like to build a house for my mom and help the people in need in my community. People have told me I’m a good poet and athlete.
Gerson Moroy, Nickname: Chino, Age: 16, From: Copán Ruinas, Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister. I’m in 10th grade, and I want to graduate in social work, then continue studying psychology in university. Right now I don’t go to church and my relationship with God is pretty distant, but I know he is always with us in the good moments and in the bad. My dream is to play professional soccer and to be able to take care of the stray dogs and cats I see on the street.
Gerson López, Age: 18, From: Barrio Via Maruquita, Copán Ruinas, Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister. I graduated in business administration, and I’d like to get my university degree in the same field. It was difficult for me to finish school because I didn’t know if I was going to graduate, but I have had a lot of faith in God. One day God spoke to me through someone’s advice. They told me if I trusted and put everything in God’s hands, everything would be okay. So I prayed and said to the Lord that I would graduate, no matter how hard it was. And thanks to God, I did! In my free time I like to draw, write, watch movies or comedy shows, and play basketball or soccer. One of my dreams is to travel to other countries and share knowledge about the word of God. Another is to start an arts and sports school where under-resourced kids and youth can get scholarships and invest their time in productive activities.
Gerson Diaz, Age: 15, From: Nueva Esperanza, Copán Ruinas, Siblings: 3. My childhood was partly nice and partly sad because when I was only five, I went to the hospital in Santa Rosa, and because I saw how my mom and dad would fight. But later they sought out God, and we became a happier and more united family. From then on I was a much happier child. My favorite sports are soccer and cycling. My dream is to graduate in accounting and finance because I would like to work in a business. I have lots of faith in God that he will allow me to accomplish my dreams.
Denia Monroy, Age: 16, From: Nueva Esperanza, Copán Ruinas, Siblings: 2 brothers, 7 sisters. I’m studying accounting and finance, which I hope to continue studying in university. I have seen God work a lot in my life and my family’s life. I especially saw His power when one of my brothers was about to die because of an accident, but thanks to God he was able to recover.
My favorite hobbies are reading, running, and dancing. My greatest dream is to travel to France and other countries. I would like to have a family business and sing in the worship team at my church. If I could change something in my community, it would be the corruption that takes place here. I dream of seeing all people honored and grateful.
Cindy Amador, Nickname: Cindyta, Age: 17, From: Barrio San Pedrito Abajo, Copán Ruinas
Siblings: 1 brother. I’m in my second year at the Christian University of Honduras, working on my degree in business administration. A difficulty I’ve had is having felt rejection from my dad’s family, but God has helped me through His Word and the people He puts around me. In my free time I love to read and listen to music. I love playing soccer and watching my favorite teams. My goals are to help my parents and my little brother, and to travel to lots of places and share about God’s Word.
Marathon La Prensa Training:
UrbanTrekkers Honduras 