Wow, the run is complete! All 315 miles of it! Pushing through the pain, Barry posted a great showing today. This seems incredible in light of the fact he just finished 11 marathons and yesterday ascended one of the tallest mountains in Haiti. Beth McHoul, the current maternity center director, ran the final miles with Barry and together they broke the finish line tape in an emotional ending. The stopping location was on a beautiful beach outside Cap Haitien. Haiti has an idyllic side to it few know exist. Later, the team had a celebration lunch at a local restaurant which served fantastic seafood (and fantastic cheeseburgers)! In contrast, this final nights accommodations are a bit on the Spartan side. While tomorrow everyone will split ways, there is still much work that needs to be done in the fight for improving maternal healthcare in Haiti.

Barry and the team do want to thank everyone for the prayer support lifted up throughout this event. God answers prayer! We stand back and thank the Lord for the safety provided, the physical strength given, the money raised thus far, and the privilege of being apart of His work. Thanks again!

The link to today's video interview will be posted when internet improves.

How can this day be described? Terrain was beyond rough, over 12,000 feet of elevation change! Though stunningly beautiful, the mountains were challenging to traverse. Barry was hitting a wall as the miles ticked by too slowly. I've rarely seen anyone in as much pain as he was today on the run and while having his muscles stretched by Doctor Jen and Laura. More than a few tears were shed, some by the support team as they attempted their best to be an "Aaron" and "Hur" to Barry in this struggle (see Exodus 17:10-13). I've heard it said, "Pain pushes until vision pulls." Today pain pushed. Yet at it's worst, Barry drew strength from his vision of alleviating the suffering of women here in Haiti through improved maternal health. Also, serious prayers were lifted on his behalf! At 12:20, the marathon was over and the team is now recuperating at a local dive in the small town of Limbe, preparing for tomorrow, the last day. Thank you for all the prayers.

Day 10 went surprisingly smoothly, especially in light of all the difficulty yesterday. Besides the craziness of navigating through the open markets of Gonaieve, excitement was refreshingly low. Barry seems to be over the worst of his sickness and ran strong, though the ending miles were still very tough. It didn't help the last bit was up steep hills. A number of individuals supported Barry in running today: Joel, Rachel, Jeff, Melissa, and Andreamal. Our lodging tonight, Le Village D'Ennery, is set in the mountains and the nicest we've yet experienced in Haiti. In support of Run for Life, Le Village has given us a significant discount which we appreciate. Looking forward to tomorrow, the marathon will be the toughest geographically. Two days remaining, please keep praying. It is perhaps not far off to say that Barry and the team are running on fumes.

Rest day at the YWAM facilities in Saint Marc.

Marathon 8 is now in the history books. Sickness crept in today with Barry awaking with a sore throat. Besides general soreness and aches, the sciatic pain at least seems to be under control with the walk/run technique combined with stretching and occasional massage therapy. Nevertheless, the fact is Barry was noticeably tired today. Several good friends completed many miles of the run with him, providing needed support. Perhaps the best news to report is that morale is still high. Despite being fatigued, Barry is positive and upbeat and moving forward! Tomorrow is a rest day, followed by 4 more marathon days.

Seven marathons now completed. Today was a "comeback" day. Accompanied by three friends who stuck with Barry the entire distance (Collins, Jim, and Malory) it is possile more than a few people were surprised as Barry ran with new energy, finishing in a much quicker time than yesterday. Pacing an alternating schedule of 5 minutes running to 1 minute walking, and 10 minutes running to 1 minute walking, the miles flew by. As a special place to unwind afterwards the team is being put up for free tonight by Kaliko Beach Resort. Thanks, Kaliko! Prayers are still much appreciated as 5 marathons are ahead and perhaps the most difficult geography yet to come.

Halfway finished! The first half has not been easy. A good portion of today was completed walking as the sciatic pain is still bothersome. In downtown Port-au Prince a stop was made at the Medishare clinic. Also Dr. Jen, a friend of Heartline's, has arrived from the states and will be working with nurse Laura for the remainder of the run. Additionally, several Skype calls were made today back to Adam, a knowledgable PT in Australia. However, we acknowledge that Barry's health is ultimately in the hands of the Lord. The team would greatly appreciate prayers on his behalf. Highlights of the day included 1) a group that ran along with Barry through Port-au Prince from the location of the current maternity center (in a rented home) to the new land site 2) a kindergarten group that sang and cheered 3) a "street kid" who ran along for 3 miles and 4) the Livesay children's support!

Another tough day on the road completed. 131 miles now behind. Highlights included running by Respire Haiti's school in Gressier with the kids cheering Barry on, passing the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake, and Tara Livesy making a surprise appearance to jog nearly halfway for support. The sciatic pain in Barry's leg is continuing to be troublesome and the last several miles were walked to avoid making the problem worse. Looking forward, tomorrow will be a big day as Barry runs through both Haiti's capital city and the halfway mark.

Today is a rest day.

The first couple hours of this day were rocky. Right from the start the front of Barry's knee was giving him a lot of pain when jogging, but not while walking. After a somewhat miraculous phonecall was placed to a physician friend back in Australia, diagnostics began. A tentative verdict was that the pain is most likely sciatic, perhaps caused from swollen muslces in the lower back. Thus, massaging and vigorous stretching were in order. This helped tremendously and everyone, Barry most of all, breathed a sigh of relief as he once again began ticking off the miles, seemingly effortlessly! Melissa Alberts ran along nearly a half marathon, providing moral support.

This day started great, but towards the end Barry was struggling with pain in his left knee. Heartline director John McHoul and his wife Beth came to support towards the end which lifted everyones spirits. In the afternoon, after the difficult marathon was completed, John led us all in singing and gave a devotional on "servanthood." This time was ended with a special (and emotional) time of symbolic "foot-washing."

It was another early morning for those on the team not used to waking at 4am. Though a little tender from the day before, Barry seemed to come through feeling fine. The last 7 miles he even sped up, saying this made him feel better! However, at one point a dramatic auto accident was witnessed between an SUV and motorcyclist, reminding us again how much we need God's protection throughout this event. In the evening a time of prayer was lifted up for Haiti as we remembered the 3rd anniversary of the devestating earthquake.

In the cool morning air of Port Salut, in front of a picturesque Caribbean beach, Barry was given an enthusiastic launch to this adventure. He felt great and was anxious to get started, ending with a time of 4:22.