Dear family, friends, and strangers reading Joanna’s blog,
This blog was not written by Joanna, but by the other members of her team. As Team Themelios, we have been with Joanna since day one of her World Race journey. We have gotten to see her grow and serve the Lord in India, Nepal, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We wanted to take a moment to share with you how God is moving in and through Joanna’s life.
Sarah Patty: These past four months, Joanna has challenged herself in many ways. She has set the example by stepping out of her comfort zone multiple times and trying things that challenge her. In India, she stepped up and preached a sermon several times when we went to visit the local churches. Here in Cambodia, she has prayed each night with our host family. She also has found someone in each country to reach out to. She spends intentional time with this person and invests in them. I have seen her grow spiritually as she has set disciplines for herself and followed through with her goals.
Sara Pandolfino: From training camp in October until now, I have seen Joanna learn a different way of leading others than what she was used to before coming on the Race. The World Race gives people many opportunities to grow and develop their leadership abilities. However, not being placed in an official role of leadership right away challenged Joanna and let her know it’s okay to be led by someone else. I have seen her lead our team by example in some beautiful ways: taking initiative and making it a point to pray with our host family every night, approaching the team reading a vulnerable letter she wrote, volunteering? to be the brave soul to give the first sermon in our first month, and meeting people and investing in relationships with them so well, showing us all how to “be present” in life and love others well in a short period of time.
Danielle Farina: Joanna has grown immensely since day one in India. I barely recognize the person she was at training camp. She has accepted this year in its fullness and has stepped into many areas of growth the Lord has called her to, especially in accepting and investing in this team. She seeks people out and is an amazing relationship builder. I still remember her praying over the team one day in Nepal and her whole demeanor changing during that prayer. The Lord stirred her heart and she overflowed with joy when the Lord showed her the possibilities that laid ahead for this team and for her on the Race. I though she might explode with joy and fullness of the Holy Spirit! It has been so cool to be a part of this journey with Joanna.
Lindsey Welch: Joanna is full of surprises! As she began to open up more and more each month we had the privilege of seeing new, beautiful, and hilarious sides to her. She has the incredible talent of always looking adorable in laughing photos, she is secretly a big nerd, and she has the rare ability to build meaningful relationships with locals in a matter of weeks. She inspires me to make time outside of set “ministry” schedules still a ministry opportunity. When most of us are resting during our down times, you can bet Jo is out chatting with our host, a local she has befriended, or helping the host with odd chores around the house.
Thank you to each person who has supported Joanna on this journey through prayer, encouragement, and donations. Our team would be lacking without Joanna’s presence.
Thank you so much for praying for and supporting our team, through sending Joanna!
Love, Team Themelios
