Meeting a disciple 12 years later
AIM has a ministry that sends teams of individual young people ministering around the world for a month. Since sending our first team to Costa Rica in 1994, hundreds
of young people have gone through the Ambassador program as it has grown.
Recently I learned that Diana Rarich applied to be a leader for the Ambassador trip to the Amazon Jungle. She was very persistent; last week she went through the interview portion, which, as it happened, my daughter Talia conducted. Talia asked a standard question, “How did you first hear about AIM?”
Diana’s answer was classic: “In 1993, I attended Urbana and connected with AIM. The following summer, as an 18 year-old, I went on an Ambassador trip to Costa Rica – the first Ambassador trip ever, with Kristy Bell, John Rose and his wife. That summer radicalized my life and helped me grow a lot in my faith. I saw God work in exciting ways – I saw an arm grow before my very eyes. God’s been calling me to missions. Remembering my experience with AIM, I found you on the web, so here I am 12 years later applying to lead a trip!”
Friday I met Diana face-to-face at our leader training weekend. What a thrill to see the impact of ministry 12 years later (granted, my own investment was limited). She has turned out to be a fantastic woman of God. Those of us who make disciples one at a time over years need to see the Dianas in our lives to see the great value of our investment.
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The Ambassador program can do great things!…well actually we both know it can’t really do anything. But God has chosen to use it for great things. And the Amazon Jungle….what an experience. That’ll be another trip that God can work in her again.
Wow. I was just skimming through and I happened to read this article. As I did, shivers ran up my spine. The trip that she wants to help lead is the same trip that I myself have applied to participate in. It makes me wonder where God will have me in 12 years.
Maggie,
I’m already amazed at where you are ‘6 years later’!! hehehe What a joy to see how God continues to move in your life since our team was in Peru together…. Will continue to follow you 6 more years and hopefully many more :).
hugs,
Di