Hanging Out with Madame President
When I first started reading Alece‘s blog, I only knew her as some sort of an ex-pat missionary in South Africa, who’d been living there as long as I’d been out of my parent’s house. Her blog posts were funny, honest, and sometimes controversial. She wrote from the heart. And I was immediately captivated.
Through email, phone, and a weekend visit, I’ve grown to know her as a close friend. But I’ve not really gotten a good picture of the missionary/leader side of her life until recently.
Alece just spent over a week here in my corner of the world. She came down for some serious R&R, but ended up making all kinds of crazy connections with people down here – pastors, local merchants, and ministry directors. Within days, I was riding on her coattails. Missionaries are so dang popular, y’all.
As I sat in a meeting room at Map Int’l, listening to her “talk shop” with Michael Nyenhuis, the President/CEO of that medical missions organization, I was beyond impressed.
But impressed isn’t even the best word to describe the feeling. I was stunned. I was in the presence of greatness. This half-pint chick who’s only four months older than me was rockin’ it in conversation with one of the most influential christian men in our region – heck – in the world. She laid her heart on the table, being real about her life – about why she was in the states for an extended time – and about the ministry organization she founded in South Africa – about the work they do to build the local church there – and to teach AIDS awareness in that part of the world. Michael had already researched Thrive Africa‘s ministry model, and expressed how he believed the work they were doing was an exemplary model of community development in South Africa. As they talked, I realized the scope of her ministry over there. And I realized how much SHE, the President of Thrive Africa, played a role in changing that country.
And, y’all. It took everything in me to not sit there slack-jawed in awe…
Then, when the meeting was over, she climbed back in my car as the normal funny Alece who’s blog I’ve been reading for over two years.
And I was … well. I wanted to look at her and express to her just how honored I felt to call her friend. But I couldn’t find the words.
The best I could do was to just nickname her “Madame President” – because it made us both laugh. 
In the end, I think she got what I was saying.
Very cool!
I’m tearing up! I LOVE to read Alece’s blog. She has been a good friend to me through email and on my blog. I cannot wait to meet her one of these days in person. You can just see how much God has blessed her and does daily! (a new Wii today! ) She rocks! Thanks for blogging about her. I love her new Title.
love you, friend!
I LOVE this. Such heartfelt words!
i emailed you my teary-eyed sappy-heart response. so all i’ve gotta say is… who you callin’ half-pint?!
i love you, xaxxy xibling!
My prayer is that this post serves as a reminder to you of HOW mighty you truly are, through the power of the Almighty. Circumstances have not weakened you, rather they’ve served as a catalyst for your faith. Walk in the assurance that you are redeemed, restored, and made holy by His blood. You, my dear, breaking the spiritual darkness of South Africa and claiming the land for the Kingdom of God! You’re a warrior.
this is beautiful. thank you, steph!
Love this
Love it! And I will second that …I am another who has been profoundly impacted by Alece, her writing, and her example. Thanks for taking the time to share more about her ministry too =)
Jenny
woah.
Okay, time for confession. I’m jealous. I’m jealous of all that you and Alece have done, not only together, but in this world. I’m jealous that you got to get together.
I’m thrilled that you are serving, letting God use you as HE designed you. I’m thrilled you helped Alece find her connections in that place.
I’m humbled to get to know you through these blogs and social media. How I wish more of us had been like you women are when I was your age. Now, I have so much garbage to work through to get where you are! I’ll get there one day, one layer at a time — just hope it’s before Alzheimer’s sets in.
i so value your transparent thoughts.
and it’s never too late to dig in to authentic relationships. seriously.
This post made my heart SO happy!!!! You are an amazing friend, Mandy.
awesome!
Love this juxtaposition of Alece the Missionary and Alece the Friend and how you reconcile those. Thanks for highlighting the power of God and how He is using Alece.
juxtaposition? good thing i was sitting down, “tracee’s stacey”.
I’m glad to hear you spell it out here, Mandy. I’ve had the impression she is a mighty warrior, a force to be reckoned with. It seems, dynamite does come in small packages…so they say.
It’s nice to hear great kudos from a great friend…so glad y’all have one another.
i heart you, michelle!
You made my eyes leak with that one.
(I love you too, Alece.)
I love this! I have yet to meet Alece, but I have been to Thrive and I can see the change in hearts because of what she is doing over there. This post just made my heart so happy.
can’t wait to hug you this spring!
I started reading Alece’s blog after I literally stumbled upon it while googling images for my own blog post I was writing. I started reading some of her stuff and immediately clicked to add her to my Twitter. I love what she is doing in Africa and the hearts and lives she touches her in the states — including mine. I weep with her and celebrate with her over the trials and triumphs she’s experienced.
i’m so glad you stumbled!
I love that you two had this time together. And when I saw Alece in her Thrive video… you’re right… she just impresses the devil out of you. I might could be a smidge proud of both of you
bless our hearts.
….yup, that’s my Kitty. You hit the nail on the head, Mandy. And I have a feeling- you’re a force to be reckoned with too
.
yeah she is!
This was crazy awesome. :tear:
But I’ll speak up for my friend Alece whom is a FF of mine…
She probably thinks of you the same…. rockstar!!
Love You Mandy!!!
mandy is SUCH a rockstar!