World Vision 6K for Water
Link to Team Abilene registration and information
https://www.teamworldvision.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=14915
YouTube videos
https://youtu.be/SLkoktezFy8
https://youtu.be/coxw9n2IcXI
What: 6K (3.7 miles) run/walk to benefit World Vision 6K for Water
When: 9 a.m. May 22
Where: ACU Lunsford Foundation Trail
How much: $50 for adults; $25 for children (All proceeds benefit World Vision 6K for Water)
Deadline: Registration will be available on the day of the event. To receive a T-shirt in the mail prior to the event, register online by May 15.

By LORETTA FULTON

Like a lot of other people, Molly and Kamron Gopffarth learned something about hardship when a winter blast hit the state in mid-February.

It was a time of “miniature anxiety” as Molly described it. Some in Abilene lost power, most lost water for a day or two. It was during the time of no water that a Holy Spirit-inspired thought came to Molly:

“Can you imagine living like this every day?”

She acknowledged that she couldn’t and was inspired to help people whose daily reality is living without readily available water. Rather than just think about that reality, Molly and Kamron sprang into action. The result of their thoughtfulness and action is a local event to benefit World Vision Global 6K for Water.

“I reached out to some friends,” Molly said, “and Team Abilene was born.”

The local run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. May 22 at ACU’s Lunsford Foundation Trail. The event will be 6 kilometers, which equals 3.7 miles, the average distance that women and children in developing countries walk each day for water. People who register at https://www.teamworldvision.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=14915 by May 15 will receive a T-shirt in the mail prior to the day of the event. 

Registration costs $50 for each adult and $25 for each child. Registration fees go directly to World Vision 6K for Water. Bibs will be handed out at the starting point and each will be imprinted with the picture of the child that the runner/walker is supporting. 

“My prayer is that this would not just be about physical water but also spiritual water,” Molly said, “remembering both are important and that our Gospel compels action on behalf of the vulnerable.”

Molly and Kamron set a goal of $1,000 for the local event, not knowing what to expect with registrations. By late April, they already had raised almost $3,000 from Abilenians and from friends as far away as California, Indiana, and North Carolina. Some registrants gave more than the minimum required for registration. A virtual option is available for those who want to participate but can’t be in Abilene that day. Participants can ride a stationary bike if running/walking isn’t an option. 

Molly and Kamron met when they were students at Hardin-Simmons University. They both love running and looked for a World Vision Global 6K for Water event nearby that they could participate in. They couldn’t find one and Molly questioned whether she could host an event herself. Again, prompted by the Holy Spirit, she realized that she needed to respond, not worry about whether she had the ability. 

“It’s about being faithful and obedient,” she said.

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene