11-12-2018 BEIRUT MARATON A MIRACLE OF FAITH (1)

Beirut Marathon November 11, 2018
INSIDER
A JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF HOPE!
A MIRACLE OF FAITH
BEIRUT MARATHON
The Mission of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation is to LOVE, HONOR, RESPECT, AND EMPOWER THE
LIVES OF THE SUFFERING, HOPELESS AND FORGOTTEN. As we measure the intensity of the darkness
that engulfs us, the choices we make have always had consequences that we must live with.
As the Chairman of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation representing our Board, We have searched to identify
those organizations we believe are truly empowering those in need.
INSIDER
The Voice of Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
1

Beirut Marathon November 11, 2018
Support, passion, commitment, and belief in a cause drives
the desire to not walk away in a time of uncertainty. In my gut
I felt that this was a wakeup call. I knew now more than ever I
had to stand tall beside my friends and show solidarity for the
mission of the Beirut Marathon, promoting amongst all
Lebanese people the Spirit of "Peace, Love, Run" for a United
Lebanon. The choice was simple and I proceeded to fly from
Colorado Springs to Beirut.
November was a month I dedicated to visiting the institutions
we have been supporting for offer four centuries. I aimed to
embrace, participate and interact with those institutions in the
hope of engaging in a discussion that would lead to new
opportunities of uplifting the potential and the spirit of searching
for new
horizon of Hope for a better future of those we support.
What a difference a year makes, last November my first stop
on the search for hope was to Colorado Springs, where I was
engaged in several meetings with the members of the United
States Olympic Foundation. While there I received a news
headliner revealing that the situation in Lebanon had become
potentially toxic. What I found perplexing about the situation
was that the Beirut Marathon was scheduled to start that week
and as a member of the Beirut Marathon Association Board, I
was scheduled to participate in the marathon. My phone was
ringing off the hook with calls from friends and associates
inquiring if I was still going to Lebanon.
The truth of facing reality on the ground in a country that the
world projects to be full of gloom and doom, and to face the reality of hearing from the lips of those living in that
country that they are optimistic about the future of Lebanon because they have faced greater challenges and
have showcased their resilience by finding ways to come together time after time during a state of crisis.
All of Lebanon was looking to the Queen of Peace, the
Founder of the Beirut Marathon, anxiously awaiting her voice to
ring out the words that the Beirut Marathon would continue as
planned with over forty-seven thousand committed believers
unified in supporting a United Lebanon.
November 12, 2017 will go down in the annals of Lebanese
history as the day the city of Beirut was enshrined with a
canopy of “Peace, Love, Run” as a protective shield showering
amongst all the spirit of brotherly love and ensuring that no
harm would penetrate that canopy. Under the umbrella of all
religious believers the marathon radiated with the rainbow colors of a United Lebanon.
INSIDER
2
The Voice of Anthony R. Abraham Foundation

Beirut Marathon November 11, 2018
As a participant in the marathon, I had the opportunity to walk amongst thousands of participants. I found an
amazing resilience showcased in the singing, laughter, smiles, embraces, joy and unity of all those individual
NGO’s supporters and families. We were all there for one reason: To support our individual charities, family and
friends, and share the spirit of “Peace, Love, Run” for a United
Lebanon.
I can attest to the fact that prayers were offered by all who
believed in the spirit of the marathon. It is not easy to
promote your faith, no matter what that may be, especially ecially
during a time when our faith and our ability to be a positive
force in the world is challenged by so many non-believers.
I have to say that I truly believe the citizens of Lebanon and
all those who braved the unknown and came to Lebanon with
the intention to be believers in the motto of the marathon,
“Peace, Love, Run" were the true winners that day.
There
was no doubt in my mind that the assumption of doom
was false and what was played out for the world to see was
the thousands and thousands of participants singing, waving
their flags, dancing, cheering, taking selfies and posting live
videos of their enthusiasm. Knowing that the blinded eyes and
voices of the media were only interested in painting the picture
of political interest rather than focusing on the colors of life
enriched by the spectacle untethered by the pressures of
alignment to specific negative tools of propaganda.
At some point, each and every one of us have experienced enced the most unimaginable situation you ever believed
could happen and you have asked the question,
“Why
Me?” I have to say that for us to truly believe in free
will, we have to have faith in the power of Hope, Trust, Commitment, and Love for Humanity. I found on
this trip the miracle of the citizens of Lebanon n due
to the amazing proclamation of one I call, the Queen of
Peace, Love and Run. She has faith and she has
love
and belief in the citizens of Lebanon.
Congratulations to the staff of the Beirut Marathon and
May El Khalil for her faith, courage, and trust in a
power greater than all of us and for being the Steward,
Torchbearer and an example for all of Lebanon to see
that as a United Country under the Colors of Red,
White and Green, flying proudly the flag of Lebanon,
the Beirut Marathon had become the symbolic light of
hope for a free and independent Lebanon.
Fast forward to November 11th, 2018 and the miracle
of faith continues with over forty-eight thousand
torchbearers of Peace, Love, and Run for a United
Lebanon proclaimed together solidarity surrounded by
INSIDER
3
The Voice of Anthony R. Abraham Foundation

Beirut Marathon November 11, 2018
the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea, the snow cap cedar mountains of Lebanon and the historic edifice of
the Roman ruins amongst the modern sky scrapers and historic iconic buildings of Beirut.
Even as Lebanon suffers the consequences of international wars, its torchbearers of hope continue to keep the
flames of passion, commitment and hope for a Lebanon free from the burns of conflict, striving to resurrect the
institution of commerce and disperse the borders of apathy and hate with the open arms of PEACE and Love
inviting the world to embrace and enjoy the hospitality and loving spirit of the Lebanese people.
On this trip even as utterly insane the economic and political climate the NGO’s and individual citizens of
Lebanon came out to support the queen of peace love and run for a united Lebanon.
The message was very clear were there is just one who carries
the torch of hope, that lights a pathway for others in the
shadows of darkness there will always be an eternal lighted
path of hope for others to follow.
As the Chairman of the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, I
profess that Lebanon is dynamic, not because of its material
richness but because of the millions of torch bearers of hope
that have not given up. that torch of hope is being lit from all
over the world by the diaspora who have faith in Lebanon and
the Abraham Foundation has found the Beirut Marathon and its
programs of enrichment to be the catalyst of empowerment.
To the Queen of "Peace, Love, Run” for a United Lebanon,
continue your global march of enlightenment of your message sage that peace, love and run is the path for
everlasting enrichment for humanity.
GodSpeed!
d!
Thomas Abraham
Chairman of the Board
INSIDER
4
The Voice of Anthony R. Abraham Foundation

Beirut Marathon November 11, 2018
PEACE- LOVE-RUN
INSIDER
5
The Voice of Anthony R. Abraham Foundation