My heart was pounding as we lifted off in the 777. I was headed back to my birthplace for the first time since I was adopted 21 years earlier. I don’t remember South Korea and why should I? I was only 7 months old. My parents, Mike and Kathy, couldn’t have children which I believe was a blessing from God in disguise. They had “faith” in God and “hoped” for children. Did I mention my twin sister’s name is Faith?Two weeks before, I had graduated from Lee University with a Business Administration degree. During my last semester, I had started to feel as if I were anchored down, living day to day in my complacent life. I knew God had bigger and better plans for me, but what?
While at Lee, God opened many doors for me and shut a few too. I had the opportunity to learn Spanish in Chile, join Epsilon Lambda Phi and Pi Kappa Pi (Christian versions of sororities and fraternities/ Greek social service clubs), cheer at Lee for a year, run a marathon for Leukemia and Lymphoma, become an Advanced Scuba Diver, hike and camp in the Smokey Mountains, whitewater raft down the Ocoee River, intern at a HIV/AIDS Resource center, get involved with the International Justice Mission chapter, Acting on AIDS chapter, and Backyard Ministries.
God also laid in my lap an all-paid trip to S. Korea! Five Lee friends, Faith, and I taught English at the Global Vision Christian School during their Winter Camp 2008. There, God placed a passion for TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in my heart. I plan to use this love for teaching to minister to the nations in the years to come. (I am inexperienced and lack proper training which I hope to receive when I can afford it.)
Someday, I hope to build an English school, trade school, or orphanage in a needy country where injustice continuously suppresses the weak. Another dream of mine is to fight human trafficking through aftercare or prevention in the United States or abroad.
This is only a glimpse of who I am, but you cannot fully understand me without understanding where I come from. My faith, family, and friends are huge parts of my life. I grew up in church, but have made my share of mistakes which have only brought me closer to God. I come from a big extended family and have wonderful life-long friends. Without these people, I would not be the person I am today…
