Through a friendship and a simple race, God has continued to show His faithfulness through 15 years of Hustling
Sixteen years ago, Dawn Bengtson came home from her first trip to Haiti forever changed by the people she had met there—and one person in particular.
Derson, who was a teenager at the time, was living in one of JiHM’s former children’s homes. He was on fire for the Lord, eager to soak up every lesson and encouragement from both the believers around him and those who visited from the U.S.
Dawn and Derson felt a special connection immediately.
Their friendship—and Dawn’s desire to continue helping Derson go to school—was the impetus for the first Haitian Hustle, hosted by Dawn in her hometown of Becker, Minnesota, in 2011. Derson and his housemates participated in a Hustle in Haiti on the same day.
Fifteen years later, Dawn and Derson are still Hustling.
Dawn’s kids, who ranged in age from 5–10 at the first Hustle, are now all in college or married.
Derson finished high school, completed seminary with honors, and has now planted a church in northern Haiti. He and his wife have a 3-year-old daughter, with another child on the way this fall.
Together, Dawn and Derson are still Hustling because of their shared love for the gospel and the people of God.
“This race has nothing to do with me,” said Dawn. “It has everything to do with having my heart and eyes opened to something God is doing, and trusting that He will be faithful to do through me what I could never do on my own—for His glory.”
And faithful He has been.
God has multiplied the impact of the event over the years, bringing communities of people together for an event that glorifies Him. This year, four community Hustles are taking place in the U.S., along with a Hustle in Haiti and virtual Hustlers choosing their own routes all over the country—including Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, Florida and more.
Every walk or run helps continue to provide education for kids in Haiti. But even more importantly, the Hustle reminds our brothers and sisters in Haiti that they are loved and not forgotten. Though we long for the days when JiHM can welcome visitors again and we can be together in person, for now, the Hustle remains one way for our friends in Haiti to visibly see that their brothers and sisters around the world have refused to forget them.
James 5:8 served as the theme verse for this year’s Hustle: “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
That encouragement from James continues to echo 2,000 years later in the footsteps of all who have Hustled through the years—standing firm in patient love because the Lord is at hand.
To all who have participated in the Hustle this season—whether by walking or running, giving or sponsoring, praying or cheering—THANK YOU! You are an encouragement to so many!
P.S. There’s still (a little) time to sign up to Hustle! Registration for the virtual Hustle—as well as the Fort Wayne Hustle—closes TOMORROW, August 30. You can also make a donation to support the cause.