Joy in Motion: WEEK NINE
When We Move Together, Hope Goes Further
Together, our Joy in Motion community has moved an extraordinary 9,339.44 kilometres! But Joy in Motion has never been simply about counting kilometres. It is about living and giving joyfully. It is about moving with compassion and generosity to help remove barriers, restore dignity and bring hope to families experiencing poverty, both here in Canada and around the world.
Behind every one of those 9,339.44 kilometres is a person, a purpose and a story. So, lean in and listen to just a few of the people who signed up to MOVE and discover what Joy in Motion has meant to them this summer.
For Kat, movement became a pathway to connection and community:
“Movement brings more than fitness. It creates joy, connection, confidence and community. I experienced all of that in Thailand this summer.”
For Peter, it has been an opportunity to give back and move with purpose:
“Joy in Motion is an opportunity to give back, support a friend who has always believed in me, and help others discover how powerful movement with purpose can be.”
For others, joy has been found in family, laughter and the courage to try something new:
Kate says:
“I believe deeply in the heart behind Joyful Living Joyful Giving and the causes it supports. This summer, Joy in Motion has meant treasured time with family, plenty of laughter and discovering that I’m a little more adventurous than I thought!”
Angie chimes in with,
“This summer reminded me that joy is often found in simple moments: the people beside us, the places we explore and taking time to notice the beauty already around us. There is always more joy to find and more joy to give.”
Sometimes moving means being pushed beyond what feels comfortable, whether that is tackling a Spartan race or following a fearless nine-year-old down a mountain-bike trail:
Des insisted that:
“Staying active keeps me positive, helps me stay young and, most importantly, lets me keep up with my cardio-queen wife, Jolene! This summer brought unforgettable adventures with my family and pushed me well outside my comfort zone. Be fit, stay young!”
And sometimes the greatest victory is simply choosing to keep going, one day and one step at a time:
From Jesse:
“Movement represents freedom and gratitude, two gifts that are not always available or readily accepted. I’m choosing to move, no matter what the day holds, and discovering that consistency makes joy grow.”
Marlene was inspired by
“P.L. and Kristen’s perseverance and chose to move alongside them and help make a difference. A painful hip may have changed my kilometre goal, but it hasn’t changed my determination. Sometimes life changes the route, but not the reason we ride.”
These voices remind us why every kilometre matters. Each person is moving in a different way and for a different reason, but together they are helping Canadian charities create opportunities for families to live free and flourishing lives.
And this is where Pamoja becomes so meaningful.
Pamoja is a Swahili word meaningtogether, and it is the name and heartbeat of P.L. and Kristen’s Cycle 5 to Survive journey through Africa. Their vision has never been simply to cycle thousands of kilometres themselves. It is to invite all of us to come alongside them: moving, giving, praying and helping hope travel farther.
We can see that vision coming to life through Joy in Motion. One couple said YES to an extraordinary ride. Others were inspired to start walking, running, cycling and paddling alongside them.
This is Pamoja: one person’s courage inspiring another person’s courage; each of us doing what we can; and all of us joining together to help remove barriers, restore dignity and bring hope to families experiencing poverty.
These are just a few of the stories behind our 9,339.14 kilometres. There are many more voices, many more reasons and much more joy still to come.
The 10,000-kilometre finish line is now within sight. Let’s keep moving, keep noticing and keep living and giving joyfully.
Together, we can help hope travel even farther.
