I continue the two part blog on my prayer team here. I apologize for not having pictures of everyone. If any of you out there have pictures you can share, send them my way!
Helen Henrichs– Although Helen was my co-worker for two years, she never was just that. We connected quickly when I first started working at the San Antonio Express-News, partly because of our love for Third Day. She was my first friend in San Antonio. Aside from just always having fun times while out on assignments together, pizza lunches and elsewhere, our friendship goes so much deeper. She was one of the first people there during the tough times. Even though we were hardly close at the time, the fact that she was so willing to help so quickly and so intensely made me know that she was not “just a co-worker,” but a friend for life. I always thank God for so carefully putting her in my path when I most needed a friend. Annabel Hernandez– Annabel’s passion for God is not only apparent when you meet her, it’s contagious. It makes you want to hear more. I had met Annabel a couple of times at church, but I most remember one Sunday when I remember thinking, “I have never felt so alone…and I’m at church! How can this be?” I was sitting alone and Annabel saw me from where she was at the front and came over and asked if she could pray for me. Nobody had ever done this before. She saw me when I thought nobody could. She is definitely on this earth to intercede for people and I am grateful she did it (and still is!) for me.
Minnie Mendez– From the first time I saw Minnie at church, she had this joy inside of her that I could see on the outside. I soon found out it was because she had found out exactly what prayer can do not long before. She knows what God can do, that he can change the seemingly unchangeable because she witnessed it in her own life. For years she prayed for her husband, Daniel, that he would seek God. When I first met the family I had no idea that just months before he was a different man. Now, the couple has pledged to pray for me a year. They believe because they have experienced and I learn from that.
Rose Paez– I could write pages about Rose’s awesomeness. 🙂 Rose has been my friend since I graduated high school and moved to Austin for a few months. The Paez family is the epitome of serving/giving hearts. Rose’s enthusiasm for helping and serving is inspiring. From buying friends a cup of coffee to supporting a friend for a year both through prayer, encouragement and financially, Rose is the perfect example of a living sacrifice by her always giving generously (Romans 12:8). It’s always been encouraging to me to hear Rose not only say, “Yes,” when God asks her to give, but “Yesss!!!! How Can I give more?!”
Jason Thomas
– I’ve only met Jason a couple of times, but I think God used him in an incredible way for The Race. The week of my WR interview, I was having doubts. I hadn’t told anyone, but my sister, about it and was thinking “I can’t do this!” The same week, I was in Barnes and Noble, looking at the book “Searching for God Knows What.” Jason approached me and told me it was a great book. We started talking and he shared a lot about some of the mission work he had done. He was passionate about it and definitely stirred inside the passion I had.Lupe Villarreal– Have you ever met someone who is so passionate about something that you can’t help but want to feel the same way? That’s how Lupe is about her relationship with God. Her confidence and passion make me want to grow enough spiritually to one day exude that confidence and passion. I think she’s been praying for me longer than I realize, which is awesome. She is always, always full of encouraging words and JOY that can only be explained by one thing: her faith in her Savior.
The Fam– The Villas don’t do cheesy, so naturally, this is the hardest one to write. But throughout all of this, I have realized how God has blessed me through my family, who have all been 100 percent supportive since the day I called all of them and said, “Guess what? I think I may be a missionary for a year…” I’m my mom’s baby and while she may be afraid or nervous for me, she’s never hesitated or questioned, saying that she can’t argue with God’s call on my life. My older brothers also are supportive, both telling me to go for it. My sister was the first one to know, and as the family worry-wart (I say that lovingly!) is at times freaked, but her first reaction was “Awesome!” They’ve all let me know that they’re here for me for every step of the way. I know that God has worked in each of our hearts in His own way and am thankful that despite everything, I have a family who believes and is faithful.
