Yadira Michel

My name is Yadira, but everyone calls me Yaya, and I live in Queretaro, Mexico. When I was a child, our greatest difficulties were due to our finances. My father worked predominantly on oil platforms in the middle of the ocean, and the wage was rarely enough for a family of five. However, that never stopped us. We tried to manage well what God allowed us to have and we were always grateful and optimistic.

It is incredible how God moves everything around us so that His will is fulfilled. Who would have thought a preschool friend would be the way I get to God? But that's how it was when a friend invited me to an event where I received the gospel. As I grew older, I understood more what it meant to be a child of God, however, it wasn't until my teens that I was challenged to keep my faith strong. I never stopped trusting that He was with me and He loved me just the way I was. I was introduced to Young Life when I was about to enter college. The Young Life mission connected with my own personal goal to "sweat my shirt for others" and I know I was “made for this”.

Going to college and being a Young Life leader is the perfect complement to being a tool for Jesus. I hope to expand my skills and knowledge during college by participating in projects and competitions that promote aerospace development. My goal is to work in an aeronautical company where I can help the technological development of humanity with the focus of knowing more about space and our planet. My biggest goal is to reflect God's love and continue to encourage other young people and friends.