Miss May & Me

Meet Miss May, my good friend and ministry partner for about 10 years. Originally from South Africa, now living in Australia, May began working with me in Artslink and we clicked over a number of shared passions. Since we met in Georgia, where one addresses one's elders with "Miss" our morning routine began early on in the friendship: "Good morning, Miss May!" "Good morning Miss Pat!" I won't say who's older, but we're the same age inside :)

We’ve shared a lot of ups and downs over the years, drawing us closer as we share discipleship and spiritual formation ministry, especially during Incarnate. This was our 3rd Incarnate experience together, in which May had two main roles: Hospitality Manager and Discipleship Group Leader.

Hospitality Manager includes not simply finding rooms for guests, but also seeing to the many Incarnate community needs—ensuring appropriate foods for those on special diets, finding resources for the staff, and dealing with medical issues. Midnight airport runs, and praying long and deeply with and for participants round out May’s job descriptions. Everyone needs a May in their life.

As Discipleship Group Leader, May had a group of 5 young ladies between the ages of 24 and 34 with whom she met twice a week as a group and one-on-one during the week.  Individual times were often walks spent talking, listening, praying, guiding, encouraging, laughing and crying. May made herself available whenever they needed to talk, cry, or pray.  She continues to disciple these ladies from afar as everyone has returned to their ‘ordinary world’ to explore next steps.

May and I have also killed bugs together, made curries together, shared meals and long conversations, and compare sketchbooks now and then. May is also a gifted card and jewelry maker; you might see me with one of her pieces if you see me in person, and/or receive a card from me made by May. During Incarnate, May also became my nurse as I returned from a minor skin cancer surgery with a big wound to be dressed each day. She faithfully came over daily to minister healing spiritually and physically!

We also share a love of the beach, as does May's husband Dileep (Australian). They were my first visitors to House of Perez, during my first Christmas here, and helped me begin renovations by scraping yards of wallpaper off over their Christmas vacation. True friends!

I asked May if I could share a couple of her Incarnate stories, and she gave me permission. Stay tuned for the next blog to read one!