Susan Cross and Dinalva Nabuco are not a likely pair. Their 21-year friendship defies many boundaries, not the least of which is a literal ocean between them, but it has thrived, producing an incredible relationship that has touched and improved the lives of many in both America (Susan is a native Chattanoogan) and Dinalva’s native Brazil. Through her tireless work, unflappable faith, and total dedication to making an impact on this world, Susan is a shining example of how rewarding and profound a life of service can be.
Born in Chattanooga to a Baptist pastor, Susan Cross started her life in the Sawyer community on the backside of Signal Mountain. Her parents moved to the Chattanooga area from Texas in 1953. Shortly thereafter, her father took on the role of permanent pastor at the Community Baptist Church. He remains there more than 50 years later, now serving as assistant pastor. Susan’s parents instilled in her a steadfast faith and a servant’s heart. She has carried these values with her throughout her life, and, while most of her days are spent doing ordinary things like playing tennis and working in the yard with her husband, Susan’s life is nothing short of extraordinary.
Business, not friendship, was on Susan Cross’s mind when she went to Brazil in 1987. She was visiting the country to buy colored gemstones to sell in the states. A mutual friend introduced her to Dinalva Nabuco, who had some reservations about this American woman. Describing their first meeting, Susan says, “Unbeknownst to me, Dinalva had had some disappointing experiences with Americans recently, and when my friend introduced me to her, she said, with a rather distinct lack of enthusiasm, ‘Oi, gringa’ (Portuguese for, ‘Hi, foreigner’). What I didn’t know was that in calling me that, Dinalva was actually insulting me! In my mind, she had spoken accurately, for indeed I was a foreigner to her and her to me, so with the warmest of smiles and great enthusiasm, I said right back to her, ‘Oi, Gringa!’” It took a little time, but Dinalva eventually warmed to Susan, and they are to this day great friends. What started off as a term of contempt and apprehension has actually turned into a term of endearment. The friends now affectionately refer to each other as, “Gringa do meu coracao,” which means “foreignerof my heart” in Portuguese.
When Susan met Dinalva, she was a healthy, active woman. That all changed in 1992 when Dinalva was faced with a major life crisis after a surgery left her facing a future as a quadriplegic. She went through a very rough period following the surgery, and her friendship with Susan deepened. Susan explains, “I knew Dinalva for five years before her surgery, but our friendship has grown much deeper and closer since. Suffering has a capacity to take you deeper like nothing else I know of.”
Suffering also has the capacity to effect enormous changes in a person’s outlook on life. After the initial shock subsided, Dinalva’s life as a disabled person forced her to notice other disabled people in her Brazilian community, and she felt a calling to take action. This ignited a flame of passion in Dinalva that continues to burn brightly today. She has made it her life’s mission to help the disabled Brazilian community. Susan witnessed Dinalva’s dramatic transformation from suffering to serving. When asked what compelled her to help with Dinalva’s ministry, Susan spoke with great admiration for her friend. “God’s love for me, coupled with His love for others, plus my love for my friend as I watched her courageously embrace a new ’normal’ in life, to the point that she says, ‘If I could go back and have the use of my legs again, I wouldn’t. I would rather have what God has given me: this ministry and outreach to handicapped people who desperately need to know that they are loved and valuable!’”
Susan’s involvement with Dinalva’s ministry has made quite an impact in Brazil. She made her first trip to participate in the ministry in 2004, accompanied by her niece, Becky. Susan describes this initial trip this way: “We took two wheelchairs, two walkers and a few other small items. That was our grand start!” This equipment may seem like a small contribution, but the impact that the wheelchairs and walkers made in the lives of the Brazilian recipients was life-changing. Susan made a return trip in 2005 with nine people from Community Baptist Church and more supplies. She went again in 2006 with a team of seven.
Susan missed her annual trip to Brazil in 2007 due to surgery but she’s in great health today and already has plans for this year’s trip with a team of six or seven people. Susan is grateful to the Chattanooga community in general and the generous members of the Community Baptist Church in particular. “I have been deeply touched by the response of people who come to know about Dinalva’s work. They are so generous and kind,” she says. “Many have taken an interest in her outreach, many have supported her in prayer and many have given financially and with donated items to enable her to help others. What a blessing!”
Susan’s friendship with Dinalva and their subsequent work to improve the lives of the disabled people of a Brazilian community where basic health care is a luxury is truly inspirational. Their incredible friendship continues to stand the tests of time, geography, and immense personal struggles. Susan has high hopes for the future of Dinalva and her ministry, including a possible collaboration with Joni Eareckson-Tada’s organization, Joni and Friends “Wheels for the World” ministry. Just last year these hopes began to materialize when Dinalva connected with this organization and received ten wheelchairs for her ministry. Susan’s dedication is unwavering, and she knows exactly what it is that keeps her going. “When we are in Brazil and people are profusely thanking us for what we are giving them, we always tell them, ‘This is a gift from God. It is our privilege simply to be His delivery people,’” she explains. Susan remembers the faces of all of the people she has helped through Dinalva’s ministry and looks forward to their inevitable meeting in the afterlife. “I want to run and leap and shout and dance with every one of those dear folks one day in heaven,” she states confidently.
For more information on Dinalva’s ministry, please contact Susan Cross at 423-886-6949 or email her at jpcsmc@juno.com