On September 25, we had two guest speakers for our LPBC Signature Breakfast event, Ron Hunter, Head Basketball Coach at Georgia State University, and Dr. Manny Ohonme, Founder and CEO of Samaritan’s Feet. Hunter, famously known for coaching his son, R.J. (recently drafted by the Boston Celtics), was the nation’s first to coach a game barefoot in support of Samaritan’s Feet. Since that game in 2008, Hunter has garnered support to provide millions of shoes to kids around the world. To date, Manny’s organization, Samaritan’s Feet (samaritansfeet.org), has blessed more than 6.5 million individuals with new shoes, as well as love, encouragement, and hope for a bright future.

Take a moment to be inspired. Go online (http://j.mp/LPBCCoachHunter) and watch the video from the event where Manny Ohonme interviews his friend, Coach Hunter. They both share inspirational stories, lessons learned, and helpful advice. One story that stands out to me is Coach Hunter’s recount of taking his basketball team on a mission trip with Samaritan’s Feet. His team washed the feet of impoverished kids and provided them with new shoes. Eventually, they ran out of shoes and, after the distribution, Coach Hunter noticed his son, R.J., secretly giving the shoes off of his own feet to a child in need. Coach Hunter and his son never discussed that moment, until last week, as R.J. was preparing to start his career in the NBA. Coach told his son, that of all his accomplishments, including watching his son being drafted into the NBA, he was most proud of that selfless act. “Son, take that heart to the NBA,” Coach advised.

Manny also shared how that was a “full circle” moment for him because he too received the gift of a new pair of shoes from a missionary, which changed his life and eventually inspired him to launch Samaritan’s Feet. Manny left us with three questions that we should ask at the end of each day: “1. Is your city better with you in it? 2. If you don’t show up tomorrow, will anyone care? 3. Who did you serve today?” Let’s ask these questions of ourselves, our family, friends, and co-workers. Let this be encouragement to say “YES” in helping each other to create everlasting impact!

Pictured: Dr. Manny Ohonme and Coach Ron Hunter.