My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places. I am double majoring in intercultural studies and art education. My heart is fully committed to continue to reach people in need through my passion for the arts. I love that art is in my soul, as it gives me many great opportunities to establish meaningful relationships with many people from different walks of life. Thank you for your consideration in helping me reach my goals of completing my art degree in education, so that I may better serve the people that God puts in my life.

Hello, my father is a 10 year Air Force Veteran. He served two years in Turkey during his enlistment. My dad is proud of his time in service, but he also says he is very fortunate to not have had to service in combat. He is very grateful to the men and women who have served throughout the history of our great country. I see how he gained a great discipline in life while he served. But mostly, I see how his thankfulness and pride in our country has lead him in his compassion for service to others. I share this desire to serve and love others as well. My life changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. I have been on two more return trips to Nicaragua, which my dad was able to travel with me and assist with loving the people of Corinto. This summer, I am so excited, as I will be on a new trip to Tunisia to serve others. My goal is to be on mission the rest of my life build impactful relationships and build others up, especially those in dire situations where the needs are many. I love the fact that golf has challenged me in mental and physical aspects. I also love that it has allowed me to learn how to be a better leader amongst my peers. I have learned that encouraging someone on the course not only can improve their golf game but, more importantly, can also encourage their strength in life. I am in my freshman year at Evangel University and I have love my experience in college so far. I have loved competing on the women's golf team. Next year, I will be transferring to Corban University in Salem, Oregon. I will also be a member of the golf team there. I am excited for new experiences and to establish new relationships. I embrace the challenge of change. It provides a measurement of growth to help me learn how to adapt and be better prepared as I pursue my life in the mission field. My college training is immeasurable as it helps to kick start my career. I am very excited to see how my path unfolds. Any assistance I am granted will be very helpful for me as I embark on what I expect to be a challenging road. I will always look at veterans in a special light. I know that their sacrifice is the reason I have the opportunity that I have. I am very grateful for my dad and all service members for giving us the freedoms we have. I know they are a privilege, and not a right. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. Thank you for your time.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I played high school golf for four years and now I'm playing in my freshman year in college. Golf has been an integral part of helping me to develop and continue a high standard of work ethic, discipline and resolve as I pursue my dreams. Thank you for your time and for considering me for this scholarship.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places. I have a passion for art and missions. I am double majoring in art education and intercultural studies. I plan to take my love and support to people who live in dire circumstances, wherever God will guide me. Thank you for your time and consideration for this scholarship, as I humbly pursue my life's goals.

When I was a freshman in high school, I wasn't too sure about joining the golf team. I was already a member of the girls pole vaulting team, but I wanted to add some extra activities. I love being outdoors, experiencing the beauty that God has created. My dad would take me to the driving range and I loved hitting the golf ball as far as I could. So, I went ahead and tried out for the team and made it onto the roster. The emphasis on women's golf at my high school hardly existed. It was a challenge to get support from the school and the local courses. I had to play my freshman year with clubs from Walmart. It forced me to really put in a lot of hard work and hours to perfect my skill. I have always worked hard to excel in the classroom. But this gave what I knew as work ethic, a whole new perspective. On the last tournament of the year, my coach moved me to varsity. It helped me to really understand that hard work will pay off, not only in golf, but in life too. After a year of improving my game, my dad was able to upgrade my clubs for me. High school golf was challenging. I learned that the tenacity needed to get through a long, tough season required grit and toughness that would need to come from within. Some people in the sports world may not believe, understand or give credit to how tough a woman can be. I am so thankful for the four years of golf in high school. My senior year, I was the first female golfer in the history of my school to qualify for state. It was four years of sheer determination and commitment. And now I play college golf and I love it! My goal in college to two-fold. I am double majoring in art education and intercultural studies. I plan to become a full-time missionary, at God's discretion. I plan to use my love for art as a way to connect with people who live their lives in dire circumstances. I want to share my love and support with them. I know the road will no doubt be a super challenge for me. But as another building block, golf has taught me how to fight, endure and push myself to accomplish my goals. I am thankful for this building block in my life. I am forever grateful for what the refinement that golf has brought to my character. Thank you for your time and consideration to consider me for this scholarship as I pursue my life's dreams or reaching others.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places. I believe the field of teaching will open doors that may not have been accessible, which will allow me to reach many people. I understand that we are not on this planet all that long. My passion is to share love and support for as many people who live with challenging circumstances. Thank you for your time and consideration in helping me pursue my education.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places.

My life has been changed in a tremendous way. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was given the chance to go on my first international mission trip to Nicaragua. It would be my first time experiencing the difficulties of life outside of Branson, Missouri. Upon arrival at the village, La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions of it’s people. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin stacked together then draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for multiple generations of families. Skinny kids ran around covered in dirt, wearing clothes much too big for them. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. All sorts of animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving several intrigued gazes as I walked through the village for the first time. I had pale skin and was dressed in perfectly clean clothes, I was not a sight the people of La Costita often saw. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The goal of my team was to build a wooden home on stilts to protect a family from floods and weather. Because I had recently broken my dominant hand, and therefore wasn’t much help with a hammer, I was blessed to have spent much of my time with the kids in the village. Those kids permanently changed my outlook on life. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. I was blessed to return to Nicaragua on two other occasions. On those trips I helped my dad to set up a vision clinic and give away glasses, walked miles across the ocean floor at low tide to reach a family living on a secluded island, and met many people that changed my heart forever. During my trips, I have externally heard the message “These are my people too.” My time spent in Nicaragua is very close to my heart, and has completely shifted my life’s trajectory. I’ve now decided to become a full time missionary to share the gospel to un-reached places.

Hello, my name is Kaylee Umbright. I will be entering my sophomore year of college in the fall of 2025. I am pursuing a double major in art education and intercultural studies. I currently attend Evangel University in Missouri. I am applying to transfer to Corban University in Oregon. My goals in life have been shaped by my faith. My dreams are to use art to reach people across the globe as I embark on mission work. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to visit Nicaragua the past 3 years with my church. The condition in which those people live is a dire situation. Since my first mission trip, I’ve known it’s my calling. I am also going on a mission trip to Tunisia this summer on a 10 day trip. There are many people in need of love and support. I have always had a very strong passion for the arts. Art is a beautiful way to express and share emotions with other people. It provides means to encourage and empower people to achieve goals in their lives that they never thought possible. It is extremely dear to my heart. I worked diligently in high school to maintain a high GPA (3.93). I took several college credit courses while I was in high school. This has allowed me to obtain an academic scholarship. I worked hard to improve my golf skills, which has allowed me to be a part of the golf team at the collegiate level. At Corban, tuition is $52,000/year. I will have an academic and golf scholarship of $22,000. I am expecting to carry over an additional $6,500 in outside scholarships as I enter my second year of college. I have come to the understanding that a quality training program from a private Christian university is essential to prepare me for the mission field. After much research, I have decided to transfer to Corban University. I have learned that one of the major obstacles to entering the mission field, is having college debt. I have been planning for this path since high school. I knew it would be a substantial challenge for me. But I have been given a passion, a vision, to do my part to help make the world a beautiful experience for people who are less fortunate. I am working diligently to amass enough funds to cover the cost of my training. Any consideration I can obtain to assist with helping me move forward with my life passions would be of great importance and accepted with humility and dedication. Thank you for your time and consideration of assisting me along my journey in this life.

Since a young age, the “normal” path in life has never been for me. For example, I never played basketball or volleyball, instead, I chose to pole vault and golf. In the same way, I don’t just want to be a stay-at-home mom or live in a big suburban home; I believe I’m called to be a missionary. I feel the most alive and impactful when I’m on a mission trip. Since my first mission trip, I’ve known it’s my calling. I went to Nicaragua with my church. I was looking forward to the chance to travel. Little did I know how much that week would change my life. Upon arrival at La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for generations of families. Skinny kids, covered in dirt, wearing ragged clothes, ran around. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. Animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving intrigued gazes as I walked through the village. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The team I came with was building a small house made of wood for a family in the village. I had broken my dominant hand a week prior, so I wasn’t much help with a hammer. However, this unexpected “setback” turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I quickly became a kid sitter for the village children. The bonds I built with the kids were incredible. I loved to make them laugh and smile. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. She was also slowly learning English from the various mission groups that came through her home. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. Nearing the end of the week, I had made dozens of new little friends. One afternoon, as I was holding hands while walking with Ashly, she looked up at me, and in perfect English, asked, “Do you want to be my friend?” I will never forget that moment. It felt as though the world had stopped. This is all I would ever need: to be here with these kids. They showed me how to have resilient joy, despite my situation. Joy doesn't come from our material things or our social standing, it comes solely from Jesus Christ. Throughout the entirety of my time in Nicaragua, I internally heard the message, “These are my people too” spoken softly to me. That trip was my first time experiencing an entirely different culture; it was sweet to see how although we speak different languages and seem completely different on the outside, we can come together in worship and laughter. In January of the following year, I signed up for the trip again! This time I would bring along my brother and father. My dad is an optometrist. We were able to provide eye care for the villagers. He brought along with him hundreds of glasses. I never realized how much I took my glasses for granted until then. The elderly and young came to us with unimaginable vision. I try to imagine going through my day without my glasses and I don’t think I could. It hurt to know that these people suffer on a daily basis like this. So many things that we are privileged to have in America, we call necessities. Things like drinkable tap water. After seeing the conditions in Nicaragua, it felt so weird to brush my teeth straight from the sink faucet. Because of what I experienced in Nicaragua, I have committed my life to seeking out God’s people who are struggling. I want to do all that I can to help so that they won’t ever be forgotten or looked over. The bible verse Isaiah 6:8 is one that summarizes my purpose in life; it says, “Here I am. Send me.” Success to me is being humble, contrite and thankful. Thus, allowing me to better serve the needs of other people.

I love, respect and look up to Simone Biles. She is an inspiration to me and many others. This young lady has overcome so many obstacles to accomplish a plethora of goals in her life. Her tenacity and determination set her apart from her peers. The mental strength that she has had to endure is a leading example to women all over the globe to fight to fulfill their dreams. I am so grateful for the passion and grit that she has demonstrated in her life. I take her fuel and apply it my life every day. I have many dreams of my own that I am working to complete. I have a desire to reach people throughout the world to inspire them to reach higher, dream bigger, work harder and be more confident to fulfill their hearts desires. I believe all people are special and deserve to have the opportunity to accomplish their dreams. I believe there is good in all of us. I believe we all have obstacles that will attempt to derail us of meeting our full potential. But like Simone, we can overcome and adapt to these speedbumps, even the ones that feel like mountains. I look at challenges in life and I do my best to count them as joy. Because I know they will strengthen me to go farther and do more. And If I can take that approach, I can reach more people in my short time on this planet. Looking at Simones life challenges that she has overcome, I am inspired to do the same.

Since a young age, the “normal” path in life has never been for me. For example, I chose pole vault and golf versus traditional sports. I don’t just want to be a stay-at-home mom or live in a big suburban home; I believe I’m called to be a missionary. I feel the most alive and impactful when I’m on mission. Since my first mission trip, it’s been my calling. I went to Nicaragua with my church. I was looking forward to the travel. Little did I know how much that week would change my life. I was immediately shocked by the living conditions. I expected bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for families. Skinny kids, covered in dirt, wearing ragged clothes, ran around. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. Animals with exposed ribs. An enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. The team I came with was building a small house made of wood for a family in the village. I had broken my dominant hand a week prior, so I wasn’t much help with a hammer. However, this unexpected “setback” turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I quickly became a kid sitter for the village children. The bonds I built with the kids were incredible. I loved to make them laugh and smile. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Although communication was difficult, I still felt that I knew her well and we had become good friends. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them. One afternoon, as I was holding hands while walking with Ashly, she looked up at me, and in perfect English, asked, “Do you want to be my friend?” I will never forget that moment. It felt as though the world had stopped. Joy doesn't come from our material things or our social standing, it comes solely from Jesus Christ. Throughout my time in Nicaragua, I internally heard the message, “These are my people too” spoken softly to me. Although completely different on the outside, we came come together in worship and laughter. It felt as if God was introducing two people whom he dearly loved to one another. The following year, I would bring along my brother and father. My dad is an optometrist. He brought hundreds of glasses. We examined every person’s eyes in the village. I never realized how much I took my glasses for granted until then. Many things that we are privileged to have in America, we call necessities. Things like drinkable tap water. After seeing the conditions in Nicaragua, it felt weird to brush my teeth with sink water. Because of what I experienced in Nicaragua, I have committed my life to seeking out God’s people who are struggling. I want to do all that I can to help so that they won’t ever be forgotten or looked over. The bible verse Isaiah 6:8 is one that summarizes my purpose in life; it says, “Here I am. Send me.” I try my best to live by that verse daily. Whether it be by traveling to the ends of the earth, or by helping my neighbors next door, I’m determined to live a life that makes a difference.

Since a young age, the “normal” path in life has never been for me. For example, I never played basketball or volleyball, instead, I chose to pole vault and golf. In the same way, I don’t just want to be a stay-at-home mom or live in a big suburban home; I believe I’m called to be a missionary. I feel the most alive and impactful when I’m on a mission trip. Since my first mission trip, I’ve known it’s my calling. Prior to my junior year of highschool, I went to Nicaragua with my church. I was looking forward to the chance to travel. Little did I know how much that week would change my life. Upon arrival at La Costita, I was immediately shocked by the living conditions. I knew it would be bad, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Sheets of tin draped in tarps, served as permanent homes for generations of families. Skinny kids, covered in dirt, wearing ragged clothes, ran around. The stench of burning trash consumed the air. Animals with exposed ribs scattered about. In the center, an enormous pile of trash sat rotting. Sewer water, as black as oil, streamed down and pooled in some areas. I remember receiving intrigued gazes as I walked through the village. Everything felt so surreal, as if I was dreaming and any second I’d wake up in my California King-sized bed. The team I came with was building a small house made of wood for a family in the village. I had broken my dominant hand a week prior, so I wasn’t much help with a hammer. However, this unexpected “setback” turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I quickly became a kid sitter for the village children. The bonds I built with the kids were incredible. I loved to make them laugh and smile. One particular girl, Ashly, who was 13, stood out to me among the rest. She stood at a whopping 4”10 weighing probably only 80-90 pounds. Purple glasses rested on her nose. She was incredibly intelligent and competitive. She was also slowly learning English from the various mission groups that came through her home. As the days went by, Ashly and I built a strong friendship. We shared many laughs as we both tried to understand one another's language. I’d teach her words in English, and in return, she’d teach me Spanish. Although communication was difficult, I still felt that I knew her well and we had become good friends. Ashly, along with all the other villagers, had a kind of resilience I have yet to encounter elsewhere. Yes, their lives are difficult, but somehow their joy is abounding! They all have so much love in them; it’s evident in their hospitality and the way they care for one another. Nearing the end of the week, I had made dozens of new little friends. One afternoon, as I was holding hands while walking with Ashly, she looked up at me, and in perfect English, asked, “Do you want to be my friend?” I will never forget that moment. It felt as though the world had stopped. This is all I would ever need: to be here with these kids. They showed me how to have resilient joy, despite my situation. Joy doesn't come from our material things or our social standing, it comes solely from Jesus Christ. Throughout the entirety of my first week in Nicaragua, I internally heard the message, “These are my people too” spoken softly to me. That trip was my first time experiencing an entirely different culture; it was sweet to see how although we speak different languages and seem completely different on the outside, we can come together in worship and laughter. It felt as if God was introducing two people whom he dearly loved to one another. In January of the following year, I signed up for the trip again! This time I would bring along my brother and father. My dad is an optometrist, so he planned to do all he could to provide eye care for the villagers. He brought along with him hundreds of glasses. We were able to examine every person’s eyes in the village. I never realized how much I took my glasses for granted until then. The elderly and young came to us with unimaginable vision. A twelve-year-old girl named Beling, whom I had met the previous year, had eye sight just as bad as mine. She had no glasses at all. Beling spends the majority of her day caring for her baby sister by making sure she’s safe, feeding her, and carrying her around the village. Even as Beling plays with the other children, she has a baby on her hip. I don’t understand how she’s been able to do all that while having my vision. I try to imagine going through my day without my glasses, not even having a baby to watch, and I don’t think I could. It hurt to know that she had never seen clearly. So many things that we are privileged to have in America, we call necessities. Things like drinkable tap water for example. After seeing the conditions in Nicaragua, it felt so weird to brush my teeth straight from the sink faucet. These things only provide a glimpse of how well off we are in America, compared to much of the world. Because of what I experienced in Nicaragua, I have committed my life to seeking out God’s people who are struggling. I want to do all that I can to help so that they won’t ever be forgotten or looked over. The bible verse Isaiah 6:8 is one that summarizes my purpose in life; it says, “Here I am. Send me.” I try my best to live by that verse daily. Whether it be by traveling to the ends of the earth, or by helping my neighbors next door, I’m determined to live a life that makes a difference.