To those who read my last post about my friend in Brazil, Soili, the young man in pursuit of her daughter has been put in prison related to other charges. He remains until further notice. Thanks for standing with her in prayer.
Yesterday, I celebrated Easter lunch with Soili and her family and our Peruvian friend, Jacinta.
Soili is on my right and Jacinta on my left.
The view is the panorama from Soili's house.
Her home is overflowing with Love!
These are two amazing women who have confronted opposition in life with the force of love. I have written about Jacinta on my website. If you are interested, please click below on my website and click again on the Jaci Fund.
These are two women in my life who are reminiscent of the women we read about in "Half the Sky." I believe there is a global call to reach beyond our comfort corners in the world to forge bonds with people who may not share our culture, beliefs, education and socio-economic level. We have mutual gifts of love to share. The bonds of friendships reveal that we are all the same despite our apparent external differences. Love is the priceless exchange that is forever free and eternally golden!
This love has the power to mutually heal our hurts, ignite our dreams and energize our passions. It is the power of Love given and received that changes the world one person at a time. I have been forever changed since I first met Jacinta twelve years ago, Soili ten years ago and they, likewise have been changed.
I wouldn't have made it through our adoption without the friendship and comradeship of Soili. She was hope when I needed hope. She was strong when I needed strength. She was laughter when I needed to laugh.
Jacinta has had the opportunity to study, learn English, use her gifts and talents beyond her country and bless hundreds of people.
When I met Soili, she couldn't afford the basics for her family. There were days she and her husband would not eat because they couldn't feed themselves and their children. Everyday was a day on the edge of poverty. Today, they own a house, have secure jobs, health insurance and enjoy the hope of having their children study after High School toward a profession.
I didn't have a special opportunity in my relationships with these women. These relationships are available to each one of us if we will take the time for them. I believe it's a choice. It's an investment of time and commitment.
If you dare, delete something in your life to make room for a relationship with someone unsuspecting, I promise the relationship will enlarge your life, soul and perspective. You may even write about it, the Tuohy family did! In light of the success of The Blind Side; it may become vogue.
You don't have to leave your country, state or city in most cases. When we are open and willing to invest a little time and effort, the gift is ours to give and receive. Just before I left for Brazil I heard about Iraqi refugees relocated to a gang infested Chicago neighborhood. In today's global environment, in nearly every corner of the world, it is possible to find people who are not like you, by traveling short distances. Trust me, the world is open to warm hearted, generous people.
Language never need be a barrier. Someone asked me before we traveled to Brazil if I was worried I had lost my proficiency with the language. I said, "no" because I was traveling with a suitcase full of love, the universal language. A hug speaks a thousand words, kindness can be seen in the eyes, joy can be felt with a smile and peace can be felt with one's presence. Thankfully, we are not dependent upon words to build a relationship.
Love is the Universal Language.
Do you dare?
It makes life DeLightFull!
