It was the very last day of interns and the moment of "Breaking Bread" together had arrived. This breaking of bread had become the long standing tradition within the Intern community of opening yourself to your other fellow piers to exchange words of how much you love them and appreciate them. The power of your words laid in your hands and you had the option of picking and choosing who you would love to pour those powerful words onto. Honestly, I would have never imagined it but Joanna Sorto from Long Island, NY began to make her way to the chair next to me (Which was interesting because it wasn't as if her and I ever really hung out in Interns). I am forever grateful for this moment because in this single act of her listening to God to come talk to me, a trigger was set to put things in place for a friendship in which I know will last quite some time.
Now Today, Joanna stands to be someone I hold most dear. She is just one of those individuals you can always confine in; even if she is all the way on the other side of the country. Currently today, Joanna is one of the greatest leaders in a mixed culture ministry back home in New York. She not only pours out, preaches and leads the youth but she also is given opportunities to speak to the congregation as a whole. She is a complete pastor all the way through. Not in the sense of just having a title, but in the sense of where her heart is. Everything sure does is for the heart of building the church. She is selfless in this sense. She is someone who will never give up on any individual because she understands the significance of the power within each person. I could spend hours talking with Joanna about strategies on youth ministry, how people work in the church, the kind of things we are seeing within the church and culture and so much more. This girl has it when it comes to discipling people too. If I was in NY, shoot... I would want to be under her if I was a high school or college girl in her ministry!
Out of everything though, what I loved most about Joanna was the fact that God always seems to bringing us through the same kind of seasons at the exact same time. Therefor, in a funny sense, it is as if God knows I do not have to live life alone but I always have Joanna there for me and in a sense God is then there for me by using her in my life. There are very few people in this would who I would place my trust in and Joanna happens to be one of them. The wisdom she has at such a young age is absolutely unbelievable. She is set apart, she is beautiful, she is smart, she has a huge heart, and basically she carries such an honorable character but most of all, she is a woman who responds to what God is speaking into her life. That to me is exactly someone I would trust. Even if it had been weeks since I had spoken to her, whenever we get back together, it is always like time never passed. I love it. I cherish the relationship I have with her.
So if you happen to be called to New York, you better make some time to connect with this girl. There is no doubt in my mind this girl is called to influence that city. She will be your friend, she will love you but most of all, she is someone who can speak truth and love into your life. (Not only that but she is single, and has an awesome family. ESPECIALLY HER PARENTS!)
Joanna I miss you!
Memories: Day at Starbucks in Bellevue, Traveling and speaking at your church in NY, Last day in Interns.
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