Feeling Joy: Marian's Abiding Story

Marian (right) working at summer camp

Marian is a Senior at George Mason University majoring in Social Work who was looking for a way to get involved in her community. She came across the Abiding Presence Food Ministry website and the need for volunteers. After receiving a warm welcome from Sharon, the Food Ministry Coordinator, and utilizing her fluency in Spanish and English, Marian became a regular greeter to Pantry guests.

Growing up without attending church regularly she felt pulled to Abiding Presence and the community here. After learning about and participating in the summer internship program, Marian got to know Pastor Meredith, Pastor Kelsey and Michaela. “In addition to the pastors and Michaela, the rest of the staff of Sharon, Heather and Dave are so welcoming and caring and they showed how they really value me and the other interns,” Marian recalled. “Being part of the ministry here helped me re-establish a relationship with God and gives me people to lean on who support me in my faith journey,” she shared.

Marian has been volunteering at the Saturday Food Pantry since August 2022 and that experience has cemented for her that she wants to help people through social work. “Seeing the people at the food pantry who we serve going through difficult situations gives me such a feeling of joy knowing I’m truly helping them,” Marian recalls. Having grown up in Northern Virginia for most of her life, Marian also spent 2.5 years living in her mother’s hometown in Bolivia to be immersed in the culture and become fluent in Spanish. “That experience allowed me to see firsthand what life is like there and makes me so much more appreciative of all that I have and the opportunities I’ve been given that some people only dream of having,” Marian shared. “I never want to take any of that for granted,” she said.

Since she was 9 years old, Marian has loved dancing the Caporales, a Bolivian cultural dance, that connects her to her family heritage. “Dancing has allowed me to bond with my siblings as well as connect with people from the same and different cultures,” she shared. In addition to dancing, Marian enjoys playing the violin for the past 11 years. She even teaches lessons to upper elementary and middle school students.

“I just love this church where everyone creates a sense of comfort and home to all who come here,” she shared. “I truly just love this church.”