This is Sandy. She is a rock star, at least in my eyes. She became a missionary full-time two years ago. After her husband passed away, she decided to move to Haiti to work at my son’s orphanage, Three Angels Children’s Relief.

She realized if she still has breath in her lungs, then God is not finished with her yet.

Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” 

Sandy runs the guesthouse and greets visitors to Haiti with open arms. She works joyfully, giving of herself to accommodate her guests and make them feel at home. She makes amazing homemade meals and joyfully plays with all the children in the orphanage. Rather than pursuing recreation and comfort and the American dream of retirement, she gets the true meaning of life. Echoing the words of Paul, I can hear her say, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) Her life displays this idea that as long as we have breath, God has purpose for us. He has work for us to do.

Our lives here on earth are not meant to be futile.

Isaiah 46:4, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

May we all live each day with purpose, knowing that God wants to include us in His work.

May we live joyfully by serving others, just as Jesus did. It may mean giving up success, fame and fortune in the eyes of this world…to pursue a life of greater contentment. Sandy gave up cushy retirement on the beaches in Florida to work with the orphans in Haiti. She has held my son in her arms, along with many others, when I was unable to. She has stood in the gap—and my adoptive friends and I are forever grateful. Thank you, Sandy, for heeding God’s call. Thank you to all of my missionary friends around the world–truly, all of you are rockstars!!

Psalm 92:14, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”