“Dream big because this business can take you there.”
A recent, award-winning movie about the Rwandan genocide awakened many of us to the unimaginable tragedy that occurred in Rwanda in 1994. Three years ago, my husband and I experienced the emotional and physical scars this genocide left behind. With more than 800,000 men, women and children murdered within a period of one hundred days, you can imagine the stories we encountered during our mission in Rwanda. There was one woman who will forever stand out in my mind. Her name is Gedance and she told me of waking up one night to her bedroom filled with soldiers who were about to assault her. They had already murdered her husband and her children.
If you met Gedance, you would never have guessed this horrible tragedy was part of her past. She is the most joyful person I have ever met. Her name truly embodies her attitude about life ... go dance! As we left Rwanda to return to our comfortable home and lifestyle, I could not get the faces of 300,000 orphans and 55,000 women fighting AIDS out of my mind. But every time I tried helping these people, I faced a financial roadblock. God has always takencare of our family, but being married to a pastor and having four children certainly requires creativity in the realm of finances. I realized that until God did something miraculous, my prayers and time would have to be enough to help my friends in Rwanda. Then the Arbonne opportunity came along. At first, I was concerned about the stigma network marketing had. My husband and I did not feel comfortable using my position as a pastor’s wife to recruit Clients. But there was a bigger and better plan taking shape. My faith would not allow my pride to stand in the way of making my dreams come true. I realized Arbonne could help me make a difference in Rwanda and reach other dreams I thought unattainable. Once I made the decision, I truly began to be blessed. Not only did I make first step quali- fication for AM in one month and then RVP in six months, but most of my business builders are from outside of our congregation.
What are your dreams? Is it to pay your children’s way through college? Is it to help contribute to the lives of others? Or is it simply to take a family vacation? What are you doing today to make those dreams a reality? Arbonne could be the vehicle to get you to those dreams.
This has been the easiest job I have ever taken, with the most potential monetary rewards. I love Arbonne and I love the Arbonne products. I will use the products for the rest of my life, but I know I will not have to do this business forever. That is the beauty of Arbonne: You give your time and energy to your team and they in turn can allow you to retire and enjoy the rest of your years at the beach, enjoying the fruits of your labor.
In Arbonne, you learn quickly to know your Why — the reason why you are doing Arbonne. I wear my Why around my wrist with a bracelet; it represents the people in Rwanda and Africa. I got to see my Why become a reality several weeks ago when I handed a check to an organization that funds relief programs in Africa. What a blessing it was for me — a dream I never thought would be a reality.
Thanks to NVP Roxanne Melker and ERVP Miranda Burcham: You all led the way and helped smash my negative stereotype of network marketing. You are awesome women of faith!
To my mom, AM Beverly Bender: You are the best mom a girl could ever ask for. Thanks for being my mentor. I cannot wait for you to get here, too.
To AM Martie Bigbie and Casey Squyres: You are truly the most unique women I have ever met. I love you both for so many reasons. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives. To DM Amy Delleney: I told you I would not leave you behind. I am so glad you kept on going.
To DM Jennifer Owens: Where would we be without Joel Owens and the pastors’ wives retreat? You are “the bomb” and you encourage me in more ways than you will ever know.
To DM Suzanna Bender: My rock star sister and Arbonne Consultant, I love you. We love you, Bono!
To AM Becky Brown, RVP Karin Hopkins and NVP Lori Smiley: I owe a lot of this to all of you. Thank you for your continued love and support in this business. I am so glad we are all on the same team. To my husband, Thomas: Thanks for sharing yet another adventure with me. You are the ultimate adventure partner. I love you. To my kids, Clara, Beau, Hank and Gus: Vacation in Orlando, here we come!
To the Jessica Thompson Region: I could not have dreamed up a more fantastic group of men and women to work with. You all make me want to be a better leader and I love you. I cannot wait to be chilling at the beach with each one of you.
To God: You have done it again, why do I ever have doubt? I give You all the glory. Thank You for loving me.
The testimonials on this Web site reflect the actual experience of each individual, are anecdotal only, and may be atypical. The testimonials are not based upon any clinical study.
