Spirit in Motion
As with the Olympics several weeks ago, this week we have been enveloped by the Paralympic Games here in London. We can see the venues in the distance from the upstairs window of the home where we are staying (thank you, Swithinbanks!), the signage around London is everpresent, and the athletes fill the headlines each day in the papers. Not to mention that the athletes and their stories are some of the most inspirational in the world.
On our epic adventure in downtown London earlier this week, we witnessed the torch relay with the Mayor of London, met a torchbearer and his family, and stood in tourist lines with paralympians just prior to the opening ceremonies.
The Paralympic symbol, three swooshes instead of five rings, is called Spirit In Motion. And how! We have been moved by the spirit we have seen in the stories we have read and also the stories we have imagined. Today in worldschool, we broadened our definition of courage to include “strength in the face of pain or grief.”
We are awed by the South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius. A few weeks ago, he became the first double amputee to compete a track final in the Olympic Games. This weekend he will vie for a Paralympic gold medal in the 100m sprint. Strength in the face of pain and grief. Spirit in Motion.
This afternoon, H brought me a “really good article” from today’s newspaper about Congolese wheelchair racer Dedeline Mibamba Kimbatas. A landmine took her legs when she was 18. When she arrived in London for the Paralympics, she had never even seen a racing wheelchair, but she will compete next week in a chair donated to her by a British/Kenyan woman who did not qualify for the Games. Strength in the face of pain and grief. Spirit in Motion.
We have been especially touched by Henry Wanyoike , a Kenyan marathoner who was blinded by a stroke at age 20. His friend Joseph Kibunja is his guide runner. They run together every morning, attached at the wrists by a string, through the rutted roads of rural Kenya. Henry, competing this week in his 4th Paralympics, has become a national hero and has started a foundation for educating underprivileged children. Strength in the face of pain or grief. Spirit In Motion.
This afternoon, we all tried our hand (or our legs, really) at blind time trial running, dashing across the little green space of the St. James Church backyard. The boys ran blindfolded, both solo and with a guide. E ran without hesitation headfirst into a weeping willow. H nearly knocked me to the ground at the finish line, and W took out a chunk of turf after getting disoriented and veering up an embankment. We stumbled, tried again, hesitated, wiped out, laughed, ran into the blackberry bush, encouraged each other, improved, cheered, and hopefully gained a small bit of insight. No pain or grief involved today, but definitely Spirit In Motion.
Thank you to these amazing athletes who share their courage with the world.
Move, Spirit, move.
Susan, there is a Raleigh native who is participating – I knew him when he was a young man through my job. He is amazing! Here is a link to a recent interview with him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q73sa2D08Rg
Lots of heart warming stories of courage and faith and hope in your blog. Thanks for sharing.
oh suby! so wonderful. we miss you guys a bunch but are in awe of the experiences these boys are having! xo dre
Love the putting in action part of school – the running blind in the yard. What fun! Inspiring.
Thanks for the inspiration stories and examples of the spirit in motion. Let’s pray that He spreads around the world as your travels continue.
what an amazing life you all are having… and the bounty that presents itself each day! What gifts you all are receiving. Thank you for sharing. Debby P