We All Need Encouragement!
Friday, August 04, 2006
I read this story and it made me think of the boys we minister to in the Correctional Facility. I have found love and encouragement is the thing that keeps them going. We all love to hear we can do it and we all need to encourage others and let them know they can do it!!
Eric "The Swimmer" Moussambani of Equatorial Guinea was an unlikely hero of the Sydney Olympic Games. The 22-year-old African had just learned to swim. He had only practiced in a 20 meter pool without lane markers, and had never raced more than 50 meters.
By special invitation of the International Olympic Committee, under a special program that permits poorer countries to participate even though their athletes don't meet customary standards, he had been entered in the 100 meter men's freestyle.
When the other two swimmers in his heat were disqualified because of false starts, Moussambani was forced to swim alone.
Eric Moussambani was, to use the words of an Associated Press story about his race, "charmingly inept." He never put his head under the water's surface and flailed wildly to stay afloat. With ten meters left to the wall, he virtually came to a stop. Some spectators thought he might drown! Even though his time was over a minute slower than what qualified for the next level of competition, the capacity crowd at the Olympic Aquatic Center stood to their feet and cheered the swimmer on.
After what seemed like an eternity, the African reached the wall and hung on for dear life. When he had caught his breath and regained his composure, the French-speaking Moussambani said through an interpreter, "I want to send hugs and kisses to the crowd. It was their cheering that kept me going.
Eric "The Swimmer" Moussambani of Equatorial Guinea was an unlikely hero of the Sydney Olympic Games. The 22-year-old African had just learned to swim. He had only practiced in a 20 meter pool without lane markers, and had never raced more than 50 meters.
By special invitation of the International Olympic Committee, under a special program that permits poorer countries to participate even though their athletes don't meet customary standards, he had been entered in the 100 meter men's freestyle.
When the other two swimmers in his heat were disqualified because of false starts, Moussambani was forced to swim alone.
Eric Moussambani was, to use the words of an Associated Press story about his race, "charmingly inept." He never put his head under the water's surface and flailed wildly to stay afloat. With ten meters left to the wall, he virtually came to a stop. Some spectators thought he might drown! Even though his time was over a minute slower than what qualified for the next level of competition, the capacity crowd at the Olympic Aquatic Center stood to their feet and cheered the swimmer on.
After what seemed like an eternity, the African reached the wall and hung on for dear life. When he had caught his breath and regained his composure, the French-speaking Moussambani said through an interpreter, "I want to send hugs and kisses to the crowd. It was their cheering that kept me going.
posted by Live, Love, Laugh | 4:24 AM
10 Comments:
Isn't that the truth! We as Christians surely do benefit also from the encouraging words of our brothers and sisters in Christ...to keep hanging in, keep pressing on for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Of course...He is the prize...:) thanks for being one of those encourging voices..
What a simple, but great story. Encouragement is so important, we need to let others know they are important. A small word of encouragement can make you complete something you never thought was possible.
Mom is becoming very teary and sad. Every visit she cries and it makes me sad because I can't do anything to help. I try to lift her spirits but truthfully I don't know if that's very possible anymore. Thank you for always asking. I continue to pray for you and your mother too, and I understand how you feel. Blessings...Pat
Encouragement is very important
take care
and have a great day!
Great story. Each person has an ideal, a hope, a dream which represents the soul. We must give to it the warmth of love, the light of understanding and the essence of encouragement. Have a great weekend Dana! ;)
That is such a darling story! I have this boy in the psychiatric hospital now. His name is Michael. He is a ward of the court in that he has no parents. He is so sad about things that he has done, like old fights with his sisters who are now adopted out and he hasn't seen in four years. He needs encouragement! I pray that the Lord would give that to Him, and especially that God would come to him and encourage him and that Michael would come to understand forgiveness, especially his own. When he grows up he wants to "Help kids like me." I know that you will pray for Michael when you read this, Dana. God bless you!
That is so cute! I love that story!!!
Thank you.
Beautiful story. I'd never heard of this before.
What a great inspirational story!
Everyone needs to know that our Heavenly Father cheers for us all the time. Many times we don't listen, but we all need to know that he is there for us at all times.
Yes, there are times when we just need and encouraging word to keep us going and other times we need a lot more. Keep encouraging your "boys" so that they feel the love that they so desperately need.
Love and encouragement are the greatest gifts from our Lord :)
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