Happy New Year!



Instead of a Christmas Letter, I decided to write a Happy New Decade letter. Yes, I confess, I am one of those people that still needs to address the holiday cards which are collecting dust on the dining room table. 



Looking back at 2009, I am thrilled by the response to the Pearl Girls book. Thank you to all who have helped in promoting this collection of essays about grit and grace. You have touched the lives of women and children who are staying in the Wing's Safe House, and together we have collected enough funds to cover ¼ of a well for school children in Uganda. My heartfelt prayer is that this book will become a "blest seller" and will build many wells in Uganda in addition to providing many nights in the Safe House. 



So what is next? As Chef Roy Yamaguchi, owner of the delicious Roy's Restaurants always says, "Imua!" In the Hawaiian language, that means "Move Forward with Courage!" What poignant words to consider on the cusp of a new decade. Imua also reminds me that God is not stagnant. He continues to work in each of our lives in amazing ways. I would like to share how God has moved the waters in my life.



In October, I posted a guest blog on Mike Hyatt's website about the lessons on leadership that my late father, Claude Rhea had taught me. Here is the link: http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/10/12-strategies-for-leadership-success.html. While earning my master's degree in international business in 1985, I worked for six months at IBM Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. During a Christmas visit, my father met a young Brazilian hotel waiter named Edson Souza. A few weeks ago Edson left a comment on the guest blog post about my father. 



Dear Margaret, 



Thank you so much for remembering and allowing me the privilege to comment on your Dad's leadership legacy. I still remember very well that Christmas Eve 24 years ago when I had the opportunity to meet your Dad in that restaurant in Rio as I worked as a waiter. That encounter changed my life forever. After a few talks he offered me to go to America and attend College at PBAU with a full scholarship. It was powerful. During the several meetings with this man of great vision, I can point out 2 good ones, the first was after a few months at the College, I was homesick and did not have the chance to talk with my family in Brazil. So, He saw me in the hallways and asked me if I had call my family lately, And I said no. Then with that amazing smile he said please go tomorrow to my office, sit in my chair and call your family and friends and make sure you are doing fine. There I was a kid from the slums of Rio sitting in the President's chair. 



And the second one was during one of the many dinners he offered to the international students. While enjoying a delicious meal, He said, Edson one day you will be back to Brazil and impact the lives of many people. He was right. For the past 9 years my family and I have a school for poor children in one of the largest slum in Rio. These principles I will carry with me and pass them on to my students.



Only God could have orchestrated this life changing meeting with my dad and Edson. Here is the link to Edson's wonderful ministry: http://www.newhopebrazil.com 



During this new decade, may God open your heart and mind to the ways in which He is moving in your life. My father's favorite verse and the one that is inscribed on his tombstone is Isaiah 43:19 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

posted by Margaret McSweeney @ 5:36 AM