Girl's Get Away Cruise Contest Entry.

I would like to suggest my friend and her daughter for the free cruise.

My daughter, Emily, and I are so excited to be going on the girl's get-away cruise for the first time (probably only time). My husband and I are missionaries in El Salvador. We felt God calling us here in 2003. We sold our house went on the road for two years (deputation) to raise our support from Baptist churches all over the States, attended language school in Costa Rica and have finally made it to El Salvador to serve. Our daughter is 16-years-old. This cruise is a dream come true for her. She has been reading about it in Brio magazine and wanted to come. It's kind of our reward to her for being such an amazing teenager and following us all over the world at at time that's not so easy. We also have a son in the States we "left behind" to go to Bible college.

Anyway, what does all that have to do with Jill and Sara. Jill has been my friend for about 12 years. Actually, I met her right before she had Sara (her daughter). She has been the kind of friend to me that is "closer than a brother." Literally there are things we will both take to the grave about each other.

We have been through some really great times and some really hard ones as well. Jill lost her mother in 2001, her oldest son has overcome some challenges (at which I'm not a liberty to discuss) and she has been a godly, supportive mother and wife all through her ups and downs.

One time they had to move in with us because their airconditioning quit working. Her and Chris (her husband) have learned to over come some huge debts and are learning to manage their finances. At a time when it would of been so much easier for Jill go out and get a job she choose to continue to be a stay at home mom and home school her two children.

Jill has been so supportive to me and my family during all our transitions to the mission field. Including my really hard "culture shock days." I do believe she would do anything for me and I for her. Her and her family have been in charge of stuffing, receipting and sending out our newsletters for us for about three years. They do this as a ministry to us. What a huge blessing this is for us and big job for them. We send out around 200!

When I told Jill about Emily and I getting to go on the cruise she was so excited for us. Her daughter Sara had been reading all about it in the Brio magazine too! When Sara found out about it, she wanted to go so bad because she thought it would be so much fun to go with me and Emily. Jill and her husband seriously talked about it but they just can't financially do it. Jill told me later that Sara cried her eyes out because it just would of been so much fun.

I would just ask that you would consider choosing them. I know there are so many who deserve this cruise and I can't imagine how you will choose. It's just that Jill and Sara are so dear to my heart and if I could I would pay for them to go I would. I miss the sweet fellowship with my sisters in Christ so much since moving here. I never realized how hard it would be to not have my dearest friends to talk with and hang out with.

I know my life here will count for all eternity and the Kingdom of God is much more important than personal desires or happiness. But what a joy it would be to spend some good quality time with my dear friend and her daughter while celebrating the blessing of being sisters in Christ on that cruise. I know who ever you choose will be the ones God has chosen. Thank you for being a blessing to someone in need.

Many blessings from El Salvador! Dios la bendiga! See you on the boat, Paula Rhoades