Don’t miss it.
By: Jennifer Cristofaro
When I met Julie Miguel, my life changed. I couldn’t help to be captivated by the way she lived her life - so surrendered, so selfless, so sacrificial. Everywhere we walked, people knew her. They would yell down from the 2nd floor of buildings, "Mrs. Julie, Mrs. Julie." They knew Julie cared and they loved her for it. She could have a life of comfort and ease, but instead she chose to work 7 days a week to feed the hungry, teach kids to read, host bible studies, VBS, summer camps, feed the homeless, and the list goes on …. I had never met someone with so much energy. She is like the energizer bunny - she never stops.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
Julie is generous in every sense of the word. We all have something to learn from her. She holds nothing back. Without complaint, she gives 7 days a week without pay to tangibly love the people of her community. Along with other support, she uses her own personal money to keep Water Walkers open and running.
She pours Jesus into everyone who crosses her path. She gave up her dream of being a successful business owner to teach others how to start businesses so that they could be self-sustaining and provide for their families. She is a woman empowered by the Spirit of God to do His will in her generation. She has given everything to Jesus and in return He uses her mightily. She impacts thousands of people in her community.
As soon as I met Julie, it was like the Holy Spirit whispered, “Don’t miss this” and so I didn’t. I pursued a relationship with her. I wanted to learn from her, to understand her. Her life looked a lot like the gospel lived out and I desired more of that in my own life. We formed a friendship and we started dreaming together for the people of Belize. We prayed. We tried several different ways to fund programs and we failed many times, but we never gave up. It took a while before our dreams came to fruition, but the Lord used those years of waiting to increase our faith and to deepen our relationships. One day doors, started flying open and we could not contain our gratitude.
Dreaming with Julie gave my life purpose and meaning. For the first time, I felt like I was finally living God’s will for my life. I wasn’t on the ground doing the work, but I did what I could from a distance. I would do some graphic design work. advocate, fundraise, pray, and dream. I would go when I could to just to see my friends who I had come to love. That first meeting was 7 years ago in 2016 and we are still dreaming together today. I’m so grateful for this woman’s ministry and influence on my life.
What I want you to learn from our story is to NOT MISS IT. Don’t miss living God’s will for your life. Find out what breaks your heart and do something about it. Take your little, send it up as an offering to God, give thanks, and watch what God does with it. He is faithful. His plans will proceed with or without us. He doesn’t need us, but He invites us in to His story. I’ve watched Julie launch over 100 small businesses, partially fund a feeding program, start a pre-school, and a church! I’m constantly in awe of God and the fact that He allows me to see Him work in the beautiful country Belize.
Water Walkers needs every type of gift given to keep it running - they need the gift you have! When the body of Christ comes together, beautiful things happen. If you pray, then start a prayer group. If you have the financial ability to give, do so. If you like to teach, then teach. Cook, clean, love on people, listen to peoples needs, plan Christmas parties, VBS, lead outreaches, the opportunities are endless. There is a place for you at Water Walkers. Contact Julie and get involved today.
