Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

Ever since I read her blog the summer before moving to Cebu, I had an inkling that Crystal and I were similar souls, and after arriving in Cebu I learned we had more in common than a fondness for eggnog and C.S. Lewis.

Here are some highlights:

The Book of James Talking Party. Meant to be a self-explanatory title.

Watching TV shows in her room - including zany British quiz shows - for hours.

Sharing life stories on the drive to Dumaguete.

Getting excited about the prospect of reading out loud on a road trip because the iPod adaptor broke.

Rescuing huge dogs from the middle of a busy road while running late to catch the ferry back to Cebu.

Realizing that we have the same body shape.

Night picnic at Tops overlooking the city.

Eating seafoods.

Watching Crystal lead her staff in devotions before the opening of My Refuge House aftercare home.

I don’t think I met anyone in Cebu who worked longer hours than Crystal. She would leave for work early, stay late and work most weekends. And you can tell she loves what she does. For all the challenges she has to deal with, she still comes home with stories of celebration, rejoicing with each victory in the lives of the trafficking survivors she is serving.

However, this did prevent me from spending much time with her for the first several months, and was part of the reason our friendship was rather slower in developing than might be expected of people sharing something as deeply personal as a bra size. Those initial hang-ups overcome, Crystal quickly became one of those people I trust and value the most.

Crystal finds joy in life and delight in people. She listens, engages and asks good questions. She is brave and kind. My life is immeasurably richer for having intersected hers.

One of the most difficult things about leaving Cebu has been the loss of my daily dose of Sunshine. Let's meet again soon, Stal.