Race for Hope Extreme – UK: Part 2

In part 1 of this series, one of our precious graduates, Sophie, began sharing about her own version of the Race for Hope 2016. Her adventure took place in the United Kingdom and she wrote about how God used it in her life in a similar fashion to how He used VOH. Her story continues here:

“The first mountain I was feeling fresh and confident, I had plenty of energy and I radioed in to ‘Golden Leader’ (Matthew) who was awaiting my call in Yellow Peril. I made good time to the top of Tryfan (my first mountain peak) and even had time to make some friends and have a little fun! 

Vision of a Hope isn’t all hard, I learned there was a lot of up hill but you walk into that house and you will often hear the sound of laughter from the staff interns or most likely the residents! The friends you make who become like family are part if the blessing of being at Vision of Hope. 

You are far more likely to injure yourself coming down off a mountain than going up. Shoe laces tied tight and all in my mind was Psalm 121:3 ‘He will not let your foot slip.’ So many times my footing felt uneven at Vision of Hope yet I came through without having fallen completely. 

Sophie3So one mountain down 6 to go…
Next I was headed up Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr. Beautiful views kept me distracted from the fact I was running. God did this so often in relieving and showing me who Jesus was as I gazed upon Him and Getting excited about learning more about His glory and His Kingdom. 

‘For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God-his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.’ – Psalm 18:29-33

The next peak consisted of a huge scree run down and a big climb back up to the top of my 4th mountain Y Garn. I was so tired at this point I forgot to take a picture! 

Things then got HARD! The last section of my run could be compared to my phase 2 of Vision of Hope: long, painful, lacking in strength to go on. I was just praying ‘God just get me round!!! Help me and give me strength!!’ It’s only in these tough times I find myself humble enough to admit that I need Him, and without His mercy I can not go on. 

‘To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.’  – Psalm 28:1-2

The Lord heard my cry and I saw my two friends Katherine and Nick on top of my 5th peak Foel Goch who gave me some water and encouragement. I remember the times my family made it all the way over from the UK to visit me and how much these visits would refresh me and give me encouragement.

After that, I still had 2 mountains to go.”

Stay tuned to hear more about Sophie’s adventure and how God used it to draw her ever closer to Him…

Bethany Dunn
Bethany heard about Vision of Hope while attending Word of Life Bible Institute in Florida. When she began praying about what God wanted her to do after graduating, He kept bringing Vision of Hope to her mind. Knowing that there was an internship available, Bethany applied, was accepted, and began her internship with VOH in July, 2012. Since then she has been amazed at the opportunities God has given her to learn more about His Word and how it applies to everyday life. Bethany now serves on staff at Vision of Hope.