by Musu Taylor-Lewis
Hearing about Pastor John Burns’ 100 hole golf-a-thon is more than a little inspiring.
This past Monday, at 58, he once again took on the challenge of golfing 100 holes in one day at the difficult Peace Portal Golf Course. He was joined in the challenge, by professional golfer Jodi Reimer and local businessman Ryan Schwartz. He spent 11 hours running, up and down hills covering the distance of a marathon, swinging a golf club hundreds of times, and raised over $100,000 for Mercy Ministries.
Watching the effort?
That brings a whole different perspective on the day.
At first it makes one incredulous and leads to the question of Why?
Why would anyone want to do this?
It is not like Pastor John has to prove his commitment to anyone. He and his wife Helen were the driving force behind bringing Mercy Ministries to Canada. Together they have been relentless over seven years in working to ensure that young women have a place where they can experience transformation that only comes from God.
Watching Pastor John continue the challenge, with pained legs and as his swing gets more laboured; you begin to see strength, a strength that can only come from a deep seated and genuine care for hurting young women.
It is a picture of active compassion; compassion that forces him to keep going when his body wants to give up
John Burns' daughter looks on, in support, as her father golfs 100 holes
Watching the young women from the Mercy Ministries house cheer him on, as he nears the end of the day, suddenly one realizes that they are seeing a picture of The Father’s love for each of them. They get to see, that they are deeply loved. They are treasures, whose rescue is worth suffering for.
Suddenly, watching a golf-a-thon becomes a humbling reminder of a sacrifice that was made for each one of us over two thousand years ago!
Thanks for the kind words. It was really difficult with lots of pain but Ryan’s finishing comments summed it up perfectly, “When I think about the lifetime of pain some of these girls have endured, I realize that I can deal with one day to help”. The Mercy girls are my heroes and they are more than worth it.