Evans

My name is Evans. I am twenty years old and I currently live in the city of Esquipulas- Matagalpa, in northern Nicaragua. My story began in a traditional way; I lived with my happily married parents and my three brothers. I was a shy child who went to school and had everything I needed to thrive. However, in 2006, everything changed when my father lost his job and we began to lack food and basic provisions. My dad fell into problems with alcohol and tobacco and gambling and my home was suddenly filled with unrest and strife. By my teenage years, I lived what felt like a meaningless life; plagued by low self-esteem, anxiety, and loneliness. I began to drink alcohol, attempting to find acceptance from my peers. On the outside I looked like everything was fine, but on the inside, I was empty and alone and I finished my high school full of doubts and challenges and no direction for my future.

Never in my life had I heard of Young Life and I knew little about God in spite of having attended mass with my family growing up. A friend invited me to Young Life club and I heard about Jesus in a new way and was deeply impacted by how good it felt to be at club. By the time I attended Young Life camp, my heart was soft towards God. I felt His love as if I was embraced by a Father’s arms, having no idea that my life and my family would never be the same. My Young Life leader taught me about Jesus, and every day I became more passionate about Jesus and the ministry of Young Life. My family began to notice the changes in me, my father even gave up alcohol and tobacco; I was overwhelmed to see the hand of God in my life.

My goals are to finish my university degree in agricultural business and rural development at National Agrarian University. As a part of Developing Global Leaders, I see that God is putting resources in my hands and equipping me to pour into the young people of my city so that they find hope in Jesus.