“My wife has a gift! She picked up a camera over 10 years ago and WOW! She has always been creative, seen something most never see, and finds that special extra something that makes pictures tell a thousand stories. She has never been taught or taken lessons and has blessed many people with memories to cherish forever. I have watched from afar as some have emulated her, many tried to copy some of her ideas, but it’s never the same as the original. I am proud of her and the way she has used a natural and unique gift to love on so many with. This year in [our mission trip to São Paulo,] Brazil she captured everything,” says Tim Grandstaff, Lead Pastor of Genesis Church, Orlando.

“When I am asked: Isn’t it hard to go to another country and do all that you do, it seems exhausting; I see these photos and I know why. Cayden [her oldest daughter] may be the only person that will wrap her arms around some of these kids and LIVE who Jesus is. Not by language, but by actions. Some of these kids have lost their mom or dad or both (as in the case of one young man who was there every day). Yes, it’s exhausting and sometimes it’s a little nerve wracking just letting my children get dirty and germy (or jump in a ball pit), but if ever anything is said about us Grandstaffs I hope people know we loved well (or at least tried). May these people of Brazil remember the week that those crazy Americans visited; Jesus was there, and no matter what, Jesus will be there. THAT is why we raise support and that is why I will always let my kids go on mission trips, with or without me,” says photographer Tandy Grandstaff.

All Photos by Tandy Grandstaff
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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Editor-in-Chief at Chispa Magazine

Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.

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