Ohio

I spent the majority of my life in Ohio. From being born in Columbus to spending most of my secondary education in Rural Suburbia, Ohio (no, Rural Suburbia is not a real town). Ohio, then and now, is my comfort zone. My immediate family, my dog, my friends are all there. I found my love for music there. I realized that I wanted to be a music teacher there. Ohio is my home state, but Ohio is not home, in so many words, anymore.

Beyond Ohio

I may have been raised with Midwestern manners, but my family is primarily from the South. My mom is a Southern Belle and my dad is a Southern Boy who was raised in New York. I quickly learned how to enact Southern Charm quickly, whether by performing socially or academically. So, as a Midwesterner with some of the South and New York present in me, I decided to leave my comfort zone (Ohio) for a completely new adventure (New York City).

After arriving in NYC, I absolutely loved the change of pace, all of the new peoples and opportunities, and how God met me in this space. Ironically, I felt more at peace once I got to The City That Never Sleeps. I went home for Thanksgiving my first semester and wholeheartedly determined to never go back because I had suppressed a lot of homesickness in my first two months. After getting back to the city, I didn’t want to leave ever again because of this crazy city, that I loved, hated, and loved again, became home.

Beyond New York City

Eventually, an opportunity to spend a semester in Prague, Czech Republic was presented to me. I believe this was the space in which began to desire to learn about the world while personally experiencing the world. I also realized that I love Slavic culture and languages, which is something that does not happen for Americans, especially Black Americans.

Months and years later, The Navigators (the Christian fellowship group I am in) presented an opportunity for me to go abroad again, this time on a mission trip to Zagreb, Croatia. While this was not an academic learning experience, it was very much a learning experience. Some things that I learned are 1) unconditional love is real and active, 2) those who have been hurt, hurt others; 3) stress is a great crucible for change. Note: this was another opportunity to serve with and for Slavs, but primarily to serve some Roma children living in Croatia.

And, now, I am going to be going abroad again, but this time to eleven countries over four continents in the span of eleven months. I will be going to Haiti, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, India, Nepal, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Serbia. I am excited to have my worldview flipped on its head, but I am slightly nervous about all of the what-ifs (I’m incredibly Type A and I love planning).

Beyond the World

My heart is for serving others while I serve God. But, the reason I want to serve is that I believe that God has offered redemption to humanity through His Son Jesus Christ (which is still valid) and renewal through those who believe in that redemption. While my work is important and (hopefully) beneficial to others, I am not doing this for myself or really others, but for God.