This past summer three young people from Victoria, British Columbia, did their own “sea to sea” tour in Africa . . . on foot.
Erin VanWiltenburg, 21, a member of Christ Community Christian Reformed Church in Victoria, planned the 4,200 km (2,610 mile) marathon with Reuben Jentink, 20.
They were joined by Patrick Donker, 26, also a member of Christ Community, who came along as relief runner, and four support team members, who accompanied them most of the way.
The team started at the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia on April 14. On August 18, they dipped their feet into the Indian Ocean at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. They traveled through Zambia on the way.
VanWiltenburg, who spent time in Kenya in 2005, wanted to tie her passion for Africa with her love for running.
The runners, who called their trek See-Them-Run, raised awareness and money for three southern Africa projects: Room to Read, Engineers Without Borders, and Africa Medical Research Foundations.
For VanWiltenburg the sweetest moments were “children running barefoot beside us and also giraffes joining us in a run.”
She added, “It is only by God’s grace that we were able to complete this dream.”
About the Author
Jenny deGroot is a freelance media review and news writer for The Banner. She lives on Swallowfield Farm near Fort Langley B.C. with her husband, Dennis. Before retirement she worked as a teacher librarian and assistant principal.
