Massiel

Hello! My name is Massiel and I live in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. From a very young age, difficult experiences spurred me to mature quickly and be the person that I am today. My parents divorced when I was nine years old and my mother left the country in search of a better life for my two older sisters and I. My eldest sister stepped in at that time as a pillar of strength and support in my life. As siblings, we bonded together believing we had only one another to rely on, in spite of living with eleven other family members including our father. Countless trials caused me to doubt the goodness and mercy of God, and although I knew that He existed, I thought He was someone who did not see me.

Jesus showed Himself to me at Young Life camp in high school and I felt the comfort and surety of His presence for the first time. Jesus was different than who I’d heard about in church. He wasn’t judgmental or mean or distant, rather I discovered first hand, that He is near, He loves me and He wants the best for me. God’s love was a balm for the wounds of my childhood and I have seen Him do the impossible in my life. He instilled a passion in me to walk alongside young people and help them discover the impossible love of God.

Now, a Developing Global Leader and studying marketing at UNN-Matagalpa, I am overwhelmed by the blessing to earn a college degree. Marketing is a career track where you have to put aside your own opinions and put yourself in the shoes of your client, caring for them and meeting their needs; this mentality mirrors my heart to serve others in ministry as a Young Life leader in my neighborhood. I hope to gain employment in the professional sector after I graduate and be a light for Jesus in the world.