SHAIRA SHAIRA
Piedra Blanca, Monsignor Nouel, Dominican Republic
Autonomous University of Santo
Domingo (UASD)
MAJOR: Nursing
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y name is Shaira and I'm from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. My childhood was spent mostly with my older sister and brother, because my father would go away for long periods of time without us hearing from him, and my mother had to work to feed us. We had many difficulties, but even so, I cannot ignore how much my siblings took care of me and made me smile; they made me happy no matter what the problems were.
From the time I was little I always heard about Jesus, but I never felt close to him. In high school, I had a health condition that my parents were unaware of and when I got sick, I looked for God there. I believe God did the miracle of healing me, but I did not start to follow him. After a year passed, I went to Young Life camp and heard of God’s love and that He could transform my life. I decided to follow him, and that was what helped me change. Being a part of Young Life gave me the discipleship I needed, the attention and love that they gave me changed everything. Now I have the same desire to do that with young people who are in the same spiritual condition that I was in.
Now a Developing Global Leader, I am studying nursing at University Autonoma of Santo Domingo, and I will be the first in my family to graduate from university. My wish is to be able to have a foundation or carry out medical operations to help people. I also want to be able to continue growing and learning from my leaders. I hope to grow in my leadership skills and share what I receive with others.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
RUBEN RUBEN
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Autonomus University Of Santo
Domigo
MAJOR: Civil Engineering
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y name is Ruben and I live in Santo Domingo with my mother. I was born in a house that never talked about Jesus Christ. I did not live with my paternal father but there was always a male figure at home. Love did not reign in my home since my family cannot give what they do not have, but thank God, I now see I can give the love that Jesus Christ has planted in me. Sports have always been my means of escape, mainly basketball, and I’m learning how to control my emotions and let my actions speak for themselves both on and off the court.
I met Jesus when a friend invited me to Young Life. The best decision I have made in my life was to accept Jesus; my life and that of my relatives has changed. I am committed to help change the life of each young person in my neighborhood, as I want everyone to hear about the good news of God’s love. The vision for my ministry with Young Life is, “One more kid for Christ”.
Now a Developing Global Leader, I am studying to be a civil engineer at Autonomus University of Santo Domingo. I love the concepts of building structures and am passionate to grow in knowledge and ability in order to be a leader in my field and offer economic stability to my family. I hope that I can impart the word of Jesus Christ to my co-workers in the workplace as well as the many places in which the gospel must be preached in the Dominican Republic and beyond.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
SALOMON SALOMON
San Jose de ocoa Rancho Arriba , Dominican Republic
Autonomous University of Santo
Domingo
MAJOR: Accounting
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My name is Solomon, I live in Rancho Arriba, Dominican Republic, with my parents and two brothers.
Throughout my childhood, my parents were always there for me, and we were a united, nuclear family, always aware of what was happening with each member, trying to have good communication. However, at age ten, my father had to immigrate to another country for work and was rarely present which brought about a big change in me. I attended church with my parents every week, but I was very disobedient and spoiled and I went to church practically forced. When my father left, I stopped attending altogether and my mother was busy working and was unable to pay as much attention to us.
At age thirteen, I connected with Young Life. I was invited to summer camp, where I had a personal encounter with Jesus. Seeing the passion with which my leaders worked in ministry all so that one kid could know more about Jesus, motivated me to want to be part of direct ministry. My leader and the work he did for me motivated me to change and do what he did for me for teens in my community.
Through the Developing Global Leaders program, I hope to achieve my goal that each young person from Rancho Arriba knows Jesus and has been impacted by his word. I am involved in every part of local ministry, always with the heart to love those around me. I look forward to graduating with a degree in accounting from Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, continuing to work in the ministry, helping more people learn about Jesus, and growing as a leader and as a person.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
SUJEIRY MAYELI SUJEIRY MAYELI
LaVega, Dominican Republic
Technological University of the Cibao
MAJOR: Pediatrics
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y name is Sujeiry and I live in Jarabacoa, one of the most beautiful places in my country of the Dominican Republic. I grew up with my parents and my brothers in a dysfunctional family. When I was five years old, I began to see that my mother was not paying attention to me and it was very difficult for my father to help me, I felt alone. I became angry and I made bad decisions in my life. I started working early at the age of fourteen because of the poor economy of my family.
Everything changed in my life through Jesus Christ. I went to Young Life summer camp and heard the gospel, but it was different than hearing about Jesus in the past, for the first time I heard that He wants to have a relationship with me. And for the first time I talked to him, and I felt the presence of God. I felt led to forgive my mom, and after that, our relationship changed. I began to emulate what my leader Nathalie did with me and started inviting others to be a part of our family in Christ.
With the Developing Global Leaders scholarship, I will be able to graduate as a pediatric specialist. I want to be a model of Christ in the service of children. I am sure that I could connect my career with the ministry. I want to have a foundation for mothers of children and adolescents to make strong leaders in their faith with God in my neighborhood and continue to grow in my relationship with God. I will be the first in my family to graduate from university.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
JUAN ALEXIS JUAN ALEXIS
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Autonomous University of Santo
Domingo
MAJOR: Clinical Psychology
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y name is Juan Alexis Molina. I live with my mother in Pueblo Nuevo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic. This neighborhood is characterized by the happiness of its people who almost always have reasons to celebrate. However, it is also one of the most corrupt neighborhoods in the city due to the many bars that are there, drug trafficking, prostitution, weapons sales, etc. I grew up seeing all the negative things going on there.
Living apart from my father was something very difficult. Consequently, I did not feel support from my mother either because she was overwhelmed due to many basic needs that could not be supplied. On many occasions she did not have a job, which sometimes caused food shortages, and even periodic loss of electricity. But despite all that, there were also positive things that marked my life, such as attending Bible school, where I began to hear about Jesus. Eventually, a Young Life leader invited me to camp where I made the decision to follow Jesus. I am committed to preaching the gospel to the youth in my neighborhood through service in Young Life.
Now, a part of the Developing Global Leaders program, I am pursuing a degree in clinical psychology because I consider myself a person who cares about others. I feel that I can help those who need professional help and do not have someone who can listen to them with the intention of helping them, and in this way, I hope to also continue to reach souls for Christ while serving in the ministry. I will be the first in my family to graduate from university.
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9
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