Elizabeth

My friends call me Eliza and I am the oldest child of three siblings. Growing up in Pamplona, Columbia, was precious time spent together with my parents and brothers. My fondest memories include evenings around a bonfire, pretending to be in a band together. When I was eight years old, I began to be bullied at school, this led to me seeing a school psychologist. Later, I started a new school and my friend choices were not healthy; they encouraged me to avoid my responsibilities, leave my house without permission and treat my parents rudely. After one particular incident that led to a brief time in the hospital, my parents chose to send me to a boarding school.

I grew up in the Catholic church and always had an awareness of God’s love for me. At the age of sixteen, I chose to spend three years as a missionary serving the poor and most needy. During this time, my younger brother Gabriel died suddenly of illness. It was a very challenging time, especially being far away and unable to attend his service, however I learned a lot about prayer as I had to rely fully on God. During a time of transition, I prayed for an opportunity to serve and a Young Life leader was introduced to me. I am currently a club director and my responsibilities include looking for donors, recruiting and training my leaders, club planning, giving talks and Bible studies.

Now a Developing Global Leader, I am studying to be a psychologist at the University of Pamplona. I hope to help young people make social, emotional and relational changes through this profession. I want to be able to influence them in the same way that my psychologist did for me as a teenager. I am learning to depend on the Holy Spirit as I lead and go to school. I enjoy leading with Young Life, starting new clubs and watching the Lord draw people to Him.