Dear Friends,

This year marks my 20th year with A.C.E. Granted, the name A.C.E. (American Caribbean Experience) wasn't given to this passion until the 1990's but the baby was born in 1988 when I first stepped foot on this tiny island in the sea.

I know anyone who has looked back on their life, feels the same way I do and that feeling is Wow! I'm how old? Where did the time go? Allen and I often joke when we go on vacation and see these buff bodies walking by on a beach about how we "used" to look just like them... Unfortunately you have to live four to five decades before you begin to know anything. We wished we could have it both ways, that 20 something body and all the wisdom of our grandparents in their 90's... I think that is one of life's little jokes...

ACE has grown so much over the years. My greatest challenge going forward the next 20 years is to not become a spiritual sponge. We don't want to consume more than we create. Oftentimes those who hold the authority and resources of Organizations find themselves more motivated to make sure they don't lose them than to make sure they are used properly. That is my personal challenge for A.C.E.

God designed us to move through time with intentionality. The buzz word in this day and time is "passion". We have a passion for music, a passion to play a sport, a passion to see our children succeed. I think it's really about seizing divine moments. It's about the kind of life you live as a result of the person you are becoming. The challenges you are willing to face will rise in proportion to the character you are willing to develop. With the depth of godly character comes an intensity of godly passion.

The neighbors, family members whose lives you admire, who seem to live life to the fullest, would probably tell you they are no different from you or me. It's not about the talent or giftedness or intelligence; it's about moving out of passivity into activity. It's really about a refusal to live a life in neutral and to value the irreplaceable nature of every moment.

Every Divine opportunity is born out of the power to do good. The fuel of doing good can range from passion to compassion to a commitment to serve others. Many times, we claim we are waiting on God, when actually He is waiting on us. God is looking for adventurers. Our lives should be filled with friends and family members who long to move forward and capture all the life that is to be experienced.

I'm excited to still be in the ballgame of making a difference. While the body is desperately trying to keep up with the spirit on a day to day basis, I still wake up every morning excited to see how my daily routine will somehow impact those around me for good. When you seize divine moments, there is a spiritual collision, and a part of seizing those moments to the fullest is a willingness to bear the initial impact alone. Anyone who' ever served s a leader understands the loneliness of the role.

My challenge for you our readers, and our partners in this thing called American Caribbean Experience is simple. Who will join me in this journey for the next 20 years? Are you ready to get move involved? I'm convinced that the most important moments to seize, the most significant God opportunities, are the ones that do not come easily. We cannot become people of conquest if we are unwilling to enter the battle. For your Bible readers, I call it my Manuel, 2 Chronicles 16:9 sums it up. For the eyes of the Lord move back and forth throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. What's on your heart? What is your passion? Come run with me. The Journey is never easy but if there is one secret to seizing divine moments, it is that you must take initiative.

Moving Passionately Forward, Marla Day-Fitzwater
Executive Director