REST IN PEACE, MY DEAR FRIEND.

MY DEAR FRIEND, JEANNE D'ARC

i love this polaroid i took of her, she is so so beautiful.

while visiting my dearest family in minnesota for the next couple of weeks, i checked my facebook only to find some sudden, shocking news. i have been so sad all day; my dear friend Jeanne d'Arc had passed away. we attended graduate school together in vermont and she became like a dear older sister to me. any one that knew her will speak boldly about her loving heart, her compassionate spirit, her great sense of humor with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. we had a couple of graduate courses together and she was always contributing so insight-fully to the discussions at hand.

Jeanne’s life was claimed in a plane crash in central DRC. She was flying home on a local airline from Kinshasa, where she was doing work for another international agency. 

she has an amazing story, and she was a true example to all of our colleagues at graduate school. she was a true example of resilience and joy. one of jeanne d'arc's friends recounts:

"Jeanne brought many years of experience to bear on her work with us. In 1998 she relocated to Rwanda following an episode of deadly violence in eastern DRC during which she lost two siblings. As she rebuilt her life in Rwanda, Jeanne worked for World Vision, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Seven years later, she pursued a master’s degree in sustainable development in Vermont. Upon graduating and returning home, Jeanne devoted her time to working with community groups and carrying out evaluation and research projects in Rwanda and eastern DRC."

she was a true servant with a pure and radiant heart and will be missed by countless people, i am sure. if you know her, even if you don't, please offer a prayer for this amazing woman who has passed on to the next world. 

all my love to my dearest friend and i thank her for all her service to her people and her lifegiving laughter.