When I was finishing up eighth grade and getting ready to
transition to high school, I had some decisions to make. For the first time in
my education, I had some choice in what classes to take. I decided to take
English class over the summer and get it out of the way so I could take another
elective. For the life of me, I can’t remember why, but I had chosen German for
my extra elective (no offense to any German lovers reading this!).
Before finalizing my decision, I talked with my parents
about my classes, and I told them my plans. Dad suggested that instead of
taking German, I should consider taking Spanish because I would have more
opportunities to use it, especially in ministry. His words were prophetic. I
took his advice and signed up for Spanish instead.
When I started taking Spanish in 9th grade, the
only words I already knew were taco, señorita, nachos, and probably a few
numbers, which I picked up from the Mexican restaurants we ate at. So when the
teacher came into class speaking Spanish, I was in over my head. Thankfully, it
got better from there, and I picked it up very easily. I loved Spanish and took
all 3 years offered in high school, then began college Spanish classes as a
Senior in high school.
After my second year of Spanish in high school, I took a
mission trip with my church to Peru. That trip further changed my life. God had
already been stirring in me a desire to serve Him in mission work, but there it
became clear that my mission work would involve Spanish. I prayed with a
missionary there and committed my life to serving God as a missionary among
Spanish speaking people.
I spent the next several years studying more Spanish,
traveling back to Peru, as well as Mexico and Ecuador. I studied Missions in
college and minored in Spanish in preparation for service. I served at Spanish
speaking churches during college and grad school where I continued to develop
my language and ministry abilities. I even spent a year working at a small
Christian school in Puerto Rico where I taught Bible classes and helped prepare
Spanish speaking students for ministry.
Then, just over 2 years ago, I met Sarah online. She also
had a passion for serving God among Spanish speaking people. We started
chatting and met in person a couple months later. On April 23, 2016, we were
married, and quickly began pursuing mission work in Mexico with Camino Global,
a mission board focused on working with Spanish speaking people. In November
2016, we were approved to be missionaries to Mexico, and we are now raising
support to go there.
All of my biggest dreams are now coming true. All because I
followed my dad’s advice.
Thanks, Dad!
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