Emilia María

Emilia grew up in San Francisco de Coronado, a small, quiet neighborhood outside of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. She shares that both her parents worked fervently throughout her childhood, providing economic stability, however it was not without great cost. Emilia expresses, “My childhood was so lonely. I’m an only child and my parents used to work eighteen hours per day leaving little time to spend together as a family. Most of the memories I have from childhood are of myself all alone in front of the TV.”

Emilia’s mother told her about Jesus as a child, but she recalls that she was not interested in having a relationship with Him. When she entered Young Life, Emilia felt welcome, and people knew her name. She saw something different in the leaders and they taught her to walk with Jesus. “The catalyst of faith for me was seeing how prayer gave me peace in the face of very difficult situations at home, confirming that Jesus does not leave me alone, but walks with me through every struggle.”

Now a Developing Global Leader, Emilia attends Latin University of Costa Rica and is pursuing a degree in education, hoping to one day become a teacher. She feels called to early childhood education and loves that the rhythms of teaching falls in step with leading Young Life in her community as well. She hopes to continue to grow in her leadership skills and the ability to present Jesus to every young person she encounters. Emilia will be the first in her family to graduate from university.