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Multiplication

October is Clergy Appreciation Month and I was really excited this year when the Publication team prepared twice as many prayer cards than we have in the years past.

When I first came into HMCC as a freshman, there were five pastors on staff here in Ann Arbor. Since then, we've been sending them out one by one to start churches in places like Austin and Jakarta. To see us add pastors and staff here in Ann Arbor and at our global sites, is an answer to prayers I lifted up since my time in college.

How I've been blessed..
I started getting to know Diana starting my senior year, and have had the privilege of being on the receiving end of her prayers, counseling, and mentorship. She was actually one of the first people to greet me at the Posting Wall when I walked into HMCC for the first time as a long-lost freshman.

Through the years, one thing I’ve been really impacted by is the countless chances Diana has given me despite the number of times I’ve dropped the ball or messed things up.
  • One particular memory is of us, in the basement of the T-Center, talking about conflicts I was facing with my friends. What started as a casual conversation led to me breaking down in utter repentance, as I realized how my hypocritical lifestyle was affecting my relationships.
  • Countless situations like this arose as we partnered together in organizing trips, leading a spring term LIFEgroup, and living with 17 other women during this past summer’s missions project. 
Despite how many times I let my pride, self-sufficiency, or insecurities get the best of me, Diana never judged me or grew impatient with me. She listened intently to help me identify distortions in my thinking, and provided biblical truth to gently restore me. She asked me questions to get to the REAL reasons I often masked behind many layers of walls. She also gave me opportunities to serve to grow in my giftings and develop in my weaknesses.
Fun Fact: Many people have mistaken us for one another (including the pastors!)
God thank you for using Diana to minister to women--difficult women--like me, and giving her a persistent and patient spirit to never give up on me. May she continue to obey God boldly and faithfully as she leads the women’s ministry in our church!

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