Inès

My name is Inès. I live in Philippeville, Belgium, with my mom and stepdad, two sisters and two brothers. I have another big sister who does not live with us. My greatest life challenge has been with my biological father. My mom met him at 18 and they had my big sister and me. She is a Christian and he is Muslim. He tried to convert my mom to Islam using force, violence and anger. She left him when I was a baby and I struggled for years thinking that I needed my biological father's attention and love to be really happy. When I was 4 years old, my mom met the man who became my dad. He never makes me feel like I have to earn his love. God consoled me, loved me and gave me a father in my stepdad.

I grew up knowing God, knowing that He loves me and I love Him. He led me to Young Life and I am still a leader. He gave me a heart for youth and the will to help them, lead them to Jesus and make them feel loved. 

Now, a Developing Global Leader, I am studying education at Haute Ecole Albert Jacquard in Namur, Belgium. With my degree, I want to be a preschool teacher. I love taking care of kids, teaching them, and making them feel safe. I also want to continue leading in Young Life. My parents and I opened a new Young Life club at my house this year. I want to continue planning and leading clubs and going to camp. I am so excited to see what God has prepared for me.