Mud Run
One of my longtime dreams is to one day own a big patch of mountain land — a place where I could build an obstacle course and running trails. Somewhere we could host youth retreats and growth events. A place where young men could do hard things on purpose. My friend Paul Farnham in Zambia has just that. Just outside of Ndola near Twapia sits Tusha Farms, one of our favorite places! There are beautiful bush trails, massive ponds, and dense miombo woodland. All my boys and most of my young lions were baptized in those ponds. We’ve run miles and miles together on those trails. The Farnham’s have long been dear friends to our family and our ministry.
On this recent trip, our very favorite day was a Mud Run at Tusha Farms. We tackled what Paul proudly calls an assault course. Back in the 1800’s, European armies began building structured obstacle courses to train elite warriors. The British Army popularized what they called assault courses complete with walls, trenches, rope climbs, and water crossings, all meant to simulate battlefield realities.
We selected 20 of our most committed Junior Lions to take part in this special day. These are young men who’ve been growing with us over the last 6–12 months. We broke into four teams and we attacked the challenge. We chose to do a hard thing on purpose, all together.
February is Zambia’s rainy season which meant the mud was extra muddy, the water obstacles were extra deep, and the termite mounds were extra slick. It even rained on us while we ran.
We ended soaked and filthy. Exhausted. Huffing and puffing. And on top of it all, everybody sloshed past the finish line smiling from ear to ear! Because something I’ve learned is that, through overcoming a tough challenge on a trail or in life, lions find joy in suffering and struggle. Hard doesn’t have to equal bad. Hard can build you. James 1:2 says, “…when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” What a strange dichotomy. But lion perspective is all about joy in trouble, growth through resistance, and opportunities inside obstacles. Lions believe challenges are meant to be tackled head-on. And there is joy on the other side of overcoming.
Another of my favorite memories from that day was the helping hands. Every time someone was sliding backward off a termite mound, hands reached out to help. It was so great to see and experience. Mud bonds and builds brotherhood. Ecclesiastes 4 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.” Our lions are growing to understand that lions need each other and are better when they are part of a team.
Towards the end of the run, Proverbs 24:16 came to mind as we all slipped, fell, and tried not to lose our shoes in the mud: The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. Assault courses are meant to prepare soldiers for battle, but they also build mental fortitude and resilience. Testing through challenge creates lions who learn to not stay down. Even if I slide backward…even if I go under the water…even if this obstacle defeats me once…I will not stay down. I’m a finisher!
It was a significant day for our team, and though the youngest among us may not fully grasp all the lessons yet, I hope they remember the mud and the laughter. The struggles and the helping hands. And the fact that mud builds, bonds, and braces lions for a roaring future!