We are excited to partner with a recent fan of the JHO kids. Dr. Hove is running the Boston Marathon with the goal of raising funds for our kiddos. What an amazing gift of his time and talents. We are excited to run with Dr. Hove! Read his story below:

Hello...

My name is Marty Hove. I am 40 years old and live in West Des Moines, Iowa. By day, and some nights, I am an anesthesiologist. I have been living and practicing anesthesia in the Des Moines area since 2009. I am married to the woman of my dreams Keri. My 3 children are Estella (12), Kellen (10), and Ayla (7). I regularly attend Valley Church in West Des Moines. At Valley Church, I am involved with the children's ministry as a small group leader, and I occasionally play guitar in the worship band. My faith has always been important to me, and it has really grown over the past 7 or 8 years.

My Why...

This April, I am running the Boston Marathon to raise money and awareness for Jonathan’s House for Orphans in the Central African Republic (CAR). My running adventure started right around the time our friend Abbey started the adoption process of 2 girls from Jonathan’s House. Keri and I heard the stories of conditions in CAR and the needs at Jonathan’s House. James 1:27 says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” We prayed for and sought out ways we could help. After deciding to run Boston, I wondered if we could use it towards this end. God willing, with the support of the people at Jonathan’s House, Acts 2 Collective, and anyone willing to pray, donate, or spread the word, we all have an opportunity to bring light into a dark corner of the world.

My journey to Boston... Around June of 2016, I started to realize that age 40 was soon approaching. I was still holding onto the post-college weight gain (when ample time to work out is suddenly erased by real responsibility). I also had the sympathy weight from 3 of my wife’s pregnancies. Multiple attempts at establishing an exercise regimen resulted in really expensive, no longer valid, gym membership cards in my wallet. I decided to give running a try. I hated running. But, all you needed was a pair of shoes and a road. No gym memberships…flexible schedule…perfect. After running my first 1 1/2 mile workout, much slower than I thought I was capable of, I was near death. I sat on the couch, half sick, the rest of the day. I made a pact with myself. I was going to run 5-6 days a week no matter what, and I was going to be under a certain weight by the day I was 40…or die trying. Gradually, running became enjoyable. I felt great. It was a wonderful way to unwind. Every run became a unique adventure to me. I was hooked. About 9 months later, a good friend and running buddy tried to talk me into running a marathon. I resisted at first. He persisted and I caved. In mid-June 2017, Keri and I (couldn’t have done any of this without the overwhelming support of my wife) drove up to Duluth, Minnesota and I ran in Grandma’s Marathon. By God’s grace, I ran way faster than I thought I would and put up a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

A gift... Running, for me, has provided a way for me to connect to God. I frequently pray when I run, sometimes for help with the run and sometimes on any matter of subject. Other times I just enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. I am certain that if it were up to me, there is no possible way that, in less than 1 year, I go from barely able to run 1 1/2 miles to qualifying for the Boston Marathon. God has given me a gift. Remembering the verse 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”, I thought about how I could use my running to serve others and the answer is Jonathan's House for Orphans in the Central African Republic.

I would love for you to come along on this run with me and donate toward this very meaningful cause.

https://www.youcaring.com/acts2collective-1119973