Lily

Lily, whose name has been changed for security reasons, is a thoughtful young woman from a large city in northern Africa. She and her brother were raised by her parents in a loving home, but they struggled to make ends meet. To compound the struggle, her father suffered a life-changing accident and remains paralyzed and unable to work to provide for the family. In Lily’s words, “In a moment, our life turned upside-down.” Additionally, Lily suffered through an illness requiring periodic hospitalizations her last year of high school. She persevered, showing her impressive resiliency, to complete her studies and graduate.

Lily grew up attending church and shares that her pastor, who was like a second mother, is the reason why she knows Jesus. She persisted in inviting Lily to opportunities to hear about Jesus, including Young Life. It was at Young Life where she discovered the love of God and flourished in the fellowship of other believers. Now a Young Life leader in her community, she prays, “that my Lord will give me a bigger heart so I can give more love and forgiveness to the world which needs compassion and mercy now more than ever.”

As a Developing Global Leader, Lily is studying medicine at a local university. Lily’s dream is to finish her studies and to be a blessing to her community, family and church and for others to see the glory of the Lord in her life. She expresses it best, “As is the heart of the Lord, what I receive, I must share with others.” Lily will be the first in her family to graduate from university.