For those of you following along, you remember that Marie Claire Bryant lived with us in Malawi for the first four months supporting us in mission by taking care of our children. In the process she became their sister and a member of our family. Last night I had the privilege of speaking for her at the Youth Ministry Banquet at Belmont UMC honoring the graduating seniors. This is my attempt to capture our family’s love and appreciation for Marie Claire…
Marie Claire is in the red shorts. I'm the blond on her left.
Over the years Marie Claire has been my supporter, cheerleader, companion on the journey, daughter and friend.
In the 7th grade, when I was youth pastor, our youth group went to Heifer Ranch. On the Ropes Course we chose partners to climb the 40-foot Jacob’s Ladder. Looking around I saw the tall, thin 7th grader who had yet to find a partner. Being the athletic, strong and capable youth pastor that I was I thought, “I’d love to get Marie Claire to the top.”
But after the 1st rung, I could climb no further. Looking up at the other five rings that got progressively farther apart I was sure we were done. But Marie Claire nimbly jumped up to the next rung and pulled me up. From there she would squat and I would literally stand on her thighs to jump/be pushed all the way to the top.
That day – and in fact, that whole week – I saw Marie Claire’s strength in body, mind and spirit. The view from the top of that ladder was a beautiful vista of possibilities and wonder made all the more sweet because of the effort it took to get there.
Jacob's Ladder
And the way I felt in that moment is how Marie Claire views the world all the time. She sees the beauty and the possibilities of life and in people and circumstances from a vantage point that few of us can ever reach. Not unless Marie Claire is persistent and patient enough to pull us up there with her – above the mundane and the challenges that threaten to keep us on the ground.
And Marie Claire viewed our life in Malawi the same way. When I asked in jest for someone to join us, Marie Claire saw the beauty and possibilities beyond the challenges of leaving Hillsboro and her friends during her senior year. Instead she saw that her gifts, abilities, experiences and desire for adventure actually prepared her to follow this prompting and nudge to join our family on this mission.
Besides finding the best ice cream and the Italian restaurant, Marie Claire called our attention to the clouds in the sky, gave voice to our love of coconut cookies, and listened to Claire Marin’s struggles when she couldn’t share them with us.
Marie Claire has always taught me. She was one of my biggest supporters as her youth pastor. And she stood with me through pain and tears, encouraging me through some of the most difficult days in Malawi… and became family. Her friends called me her “mission mom” and she definitely became siblings to Claire Marin and Carter. But I never felt like she was my daughter, but always my friend.
Marie Claire has always been pulling me to the top and showing me what is possible when I don’t give up and when I trust God and rely on others. This is not to say that Marie Claire is not grounded but only to highlight how far she has climbed and how deep her roots are. And my vantage point is forever different having seen the world through Marie Claire’s eyes.
the sisters and brother
Marie Claire, I pray that you forever remain a dreamer, calling to us through art and poetry and righteous anger to see the world as you do. And I pray that you also see that the beauty, strength and courage that you possess enables you to live at such great heights.
I love you.
