A highlight on two of my teammates…
Let’s start with the Brazilian. Not because she is more important but rather at this moment she is more in need. My Brazilian Beauty is named Piva (or Dani, if you like) and she is just that—beautiful. She has these long locks of golden waves, and fair porcelain skin like that of Snow White. Her height is graced with stature at the way she holds her head and keeps her posture strong. She is not timid to invest in her beauty as she finds value in keeping beautiful nails and enjoying the result of make-up, yet she knows her self-worth is found in Christ alone. However, her physical beauty is easily shadowed by the beauty she encompasses within. Piva is one of the most caring, affectionate, empowering people I know to date. She has an acute awareness of others. I know I am not the most stoic person in the world but I am not the most obvious about my emotions either. And every time I am working something in my mind, or feeling something in my heart, she notices and takes time to ask me how I am doing. From her background in Psychology, she understands the importance of a listening ear and is apt to offer that. And she speaks truth. She loves me well, she loves her team well, and she is just as intentional to love all those we meet in these foreign places we call home. Out of all, I admire most her faith in our Father’s will for our lives. Her faith rivals that of my mother’s and is a constant reminder for me to surrender my whole heart to that same faith. And this faith fuels her confidence which is not quite unshakeable but indeed it is strong. She has a heart so connected with the Spirit, its overt appearance is inspiring to all. She is our prayer warrior as prayer is her reaction to everything and holds power in its expectation. She lives life with a sense of eternal purpose, a spirit of peace, and above all a wellspring of love.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” –Proverbs 31:25
Then there is the Floridian. She is my fellow dancer and my fellow scholar. Leslie relates to a piece of my heart that most other cannot even begin to understand. This is the part of my heart that soars when I dance, when I appreciate inspiring theatre, when I watch beautiful cinema and read classic literature exposing the human spirit. More often than not, if one of us breaks out into song from any sort of musical, the other is sure to pick up right away and sing along. In this way, she reminds me of my sister. But also she’s one of the few, if not the only person on the squad who understands my motivation behind reading Les Miserables (even if I’m only a fifth of the way through the book at the midway point of the race). Leslie finds depth in nearly everything. She is a reader, as the love of stories are deep within her heart. And this love comes out in the ministries we partner with. She views a person’s life as a story and is eager to learn of it. In her eyes, there is not a story that is more or less valuable than the next for she puts infinite worth on a person’s life just as our Lord does. She feels intensely and sees complexity, a burden not always so easy to bear but indeed one that is beautiful in its own right. I have only been her teammate for the past month and a half but already, I have witnessed her growth in courage as she has been empowered to open up herself to others and speak truth on her feelings and emotions. Not just this, but she has bourn the challenges I have given her with poise. Poise that I attribute to her years of dance training… or I could be wrong about that. Nevertheless, she is an overcomer and has been for years. And due to this, she exhorts others to overcome as well. Everywhere we go, she sees people for who they are; struggles, flaws and all, and she deems them worthy. By this, she demonstrates the life-changing affection of our Father in heaven and this I admire whole-heartedly.
“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.” –Psalm 46:5
Both these girls are still in need of financial provision from the Lord (Piva: $3658, Leslie: $872). However, I can say with confidence that God has placed them on the race to finish. I know without a doubt that He will provide in the end, but perhaps His provision is to call you to support them now. Please consider donating a small or sizable amount to their accounts to encourage this life of abandonment that are experiencing. And may blessings be returned to you as you bless fellow sisters in Christ. Until then, all prayers are welcomed and appreciated 🙂
