Our Story | repurposed

Her Story

Tracey Russell is crazy in love with her husband Mark and the proud mother of four children ages 7-18. She has a unique background of formal education with a BS degree from Florida State University in Communication and a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Florida International University. She worked as an Occupational Therapist in rehabilitation for several years before God called her to full-time ministry in her home. As a full-time mother of four children, God has given her numberous opportunities to develop her passion for communicating what God can do in the heart and life of a woman. She has combined her love for writing and therapy as a Christian author and speaker dedicated to using her background to minister to women around the globe. Her latest callings have taken her internationally through an organization called Orphans Heart. She has traveled to a malnutiriton Center in Guatemala and in the future, to Africa to build an orphanage. Her family completed a $60,000 kite surfing fundraiser for Tanzania. Although her husband has not convinced her to kite surf yet, she developed a support bracelet called "Stoked for Hope" to help him raise money and promote their event. Their story has been covered on every major network in Central, Florida and can be seen at Freeride836.com.

Our Story

His Story

Mark Russell is Tracey's amazing husband. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida where he developed a passion for water sports and waves. He is currently a full time engineer in the field of micro-electronics but does manage to find time for fun in the sun on the weekends. He and his three boys are avid kite boarders and have created the Freeride 836 event to raise money for Orphans Heart. They are kiting 50 miles from Miami to the Florida Keys to raise 50,000 to build a self-staining orphan home for 12 children in Tanzania. He is committed to encouraging other men and families to find their passion and help others. His motto is Ride Live Give. He doesn't just want to ride in water for his own pleasure, but to use what he loves to give to others in need. He is an advocate of teaching generosity to the next generation of leaders, beginning with his own family. Although he has unsuccessfully tried to make his wife a kite boarder, she supports him with her writing, speaking and fundraising efforts