Hoops of Hope Raleigh

You know those moments in life when you think, "I am witnessing something amazing."  For four months now, Pete and I have been living a prolonged moment like that.  Back in September Sarah read Take Your Best Shot, the story of a boy who at age 9 believed he should do something to try to help AIDS orphans.  Being a basketball player, he decided to use the sport he loved to help children half way around the world.  In the past ten years his idea of a basketball free throw marathon, run by kids to help kids, has raised over 3 million dollars!

After reading the book, Sarah learned that one of these events had never been held in Raleigh.  She came to Pete and I one night and told us she thought she should be the one to do it.

We told her to pray.

She came back to us with confirmation from scripture.  (ok...)

From there, something incredible started to unfold.

Sarah received permission from the national organization to start Hoops of Hope Raleigh.
Her school gave her their gym to use.
Six adults who love her agreed to serve as her prayer team.
Four amazing friends came alongside her (along with their moms).

In the last four months we have watched Sarah learn to communicate her idea clearly as she has spoken to companies, basketball teams, schoolmates, and Sunday school classes.  She has learned to take rejection with both dignity and a grain of salt.  She has learned to believe in herself. (a hard feat for any 11 year old - or 40 year old.)  She believes that she can make a difference in a little town called Hamaundu in Zambia where the money from this event will go toward the building of a medical clinic that will test for, treat, and education people about AIDS.

Last night we received an email from a reporter asking to do an interview via email.  She asked me to ask Sarah why she was doing this.  While I cooked dinner I told Sarah to write down her answers.  She left them on my desk to send back to the reporter after she went to bed.  (we do not allow her to email strangers).

Without any help or prompting, this is what she wrote,

" I am doing Hoops of Hope Raleigh to impact the lives of children who are being orphaned by AIDS.  In the process, I hope to inspire the kids in Raleigh to make a difference in their own way.  I hope that the kids in Raleigh are inspired by the fact that kids have just as much ability to impact the world around them as adults.  No matter your age you can use your passion to make a difference."  

Jesus taught that we would only be saved if we had the faith of a child.  Watching Sarah and her friends, who each have grown so much through this, I know that the world's struggles can only be fixed if we address them with the faith of a child.

So this faithful girl of mine has set a high goal.  A huge goal.  She wants to raise $25,000 through her event.  She wants 100 people to come take part.  Please take a minute and hop over to her website.  If you live in Raleigh - come join us Feb 21st for the event.  If you don't, would you consider making a donation?  www.hoopsofhoperaleigh.com.  You can register or donate on the site.  All donations are tax deductible.