A Symbol of Resilience

In just over a decade, Frida located the bodies of 43 people and rescued a dozen people. She began her career in 2010 when a massive earthquake hit Haiti and she found 12 people alive beneath the rubble. In 2017, she helped rescue survivors from a landslide in Ecuador. Several months later, she became a social media star and national icon when she assisted rescuers after the Mexico City earthquake that killed hundreds.

Frida was born in 2009 and began her search and rescue training soon after. She finished the program in a record eight months and is remembered by the Mexican Navy for her "independence, concentration, balanced temperament, fearlessness, curiosity, and empathy towards people."

Known for her custom-made white goggles and blue boots, Frida died this past November of natural causes, according to the Mexican Navy. She was a yellow labrador retriever who became a national icon during Mexico's 2017 tragedy -- a symbol of the country's resilience and pride.

According to Jose Rafael Ojeda, the head of Mexico's Navy, Frida has "given hope to thousands of Mexican families in the most pressing moments." The Navy recently unveiled a life-sized statue of Frida outside their main office in the Mexico City neighborhood of Coyoacan. 

What can we learn from Frida's example? As Paul reminds us in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, we are called to be a help in this broken world: "And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." What can you do this week to bring light and healing to those around you, remembering the example of a fiercely dedicated yellow lab from Mexico City?

Peace on your week,

Jennie