Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Love Extravagantly


Julissa Tzunun - Aspiring Artist

She has been a part of our lives now for several years. We learned about the girls at Mimi's House through our Church and we knew that we wanted to be a part. Since that time we have spent incredible weeks with Julissa and the other girls at Mimi's House and we have been able to watch these tiny girls grow into strong young women that rise above the statistics. 

From the earliest letters we received from Julissa, they were covered with artwork. Her drawings always had intention and dimension. She would write to us, ask us questions about our family, and she would cut, fold, glue, and even weave pieces of paper to form beautiful gifts. More than once, we would open the envelope and Aleksandra would say, "that is SOooOOOoo Cool!"

Julissa now is at art school in San Cristobal and she is learning techniques of pastels and painting. Kellie and I have made her promise that when we move to Guate in June, she provide us with a painting that we can purchase and hang in our home. 

We are privileged to be a part of Julissa's story. Each time we return to Guate we are thrilled to meet with Julissa and catch up with her life. We know that great things await her as she chases her dreams and passion.

Even as I type this, each member of our family wears a woven bracelet on our wrists that Julissa tied on our final day at Mimi's House in July. Aleksandra has earrings that Julissa crafted, and we have a pencil drawing that rests above our desk. We think of her often and thank God that she is in our lives.

She is an example of what happens when ordinary people are willing to partner with God. It isn't so much about saving the world... it is the simple act of extending your hand and then pressing it against the hand of another person. You feel the pulse of their life, and you realize that your own life is changed by your willingness to help another.

It is simple love. We are called to love extravagantly.

But for right now, until that completeness,
 we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: 

Trust steadily in God, 
hope unswervingly, 
love extravagantly

And the best of the three is love.


~1 Corinthians 13:13~

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