Hi everyone! My name is Lydia and I am currently a junior at Bethlehem High School just outside of Albany, New York. I am on my school’s varsity swim team, a member of Peer Helpers, and president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). I have grown up in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, through baptism to confirmation, and still continuing on my Christian journey there. I am a member of my church’s High School Youth Group, through which we commit to community service and outreach among our fellow congregation members.

Almost two years ago, I was given the incredible opportunity through BLC to travel to Nicaragua on a short term mission trip. After spending a week cooking, cleaning, constructing, crafting, smiling, teaching, and most importantly learning, I knew that I had a strong connection to not just the children but Nicaragua in general.

Ever since my return home, I have had such a yearning in my heart to travel back down to Central America and see what else God has in store for me. I have never felt such a spiritual connection to any other thing or place in my life. I have cravings in my day-to-day life to work with these children again and I know that this is truly a calling from God.

After research, Skype calls, meetings, prayers, and airline hunting, I am so excited to be able to say that I am finally returning to Nicaragua this summer for a month as a youth missionary. I will be working with Wayne and Megan at Enrich Missions and I am so beyond blessed for this opportunity. While in Matagalpa, I will be teaching, tutoring, cooking, cleaning, transporting, and working as an extra pair of hands around the enrichment center.

I am starting Enrich’s very first library which I know will make a long-lasting impact. It will launch a sustainable reading program to assist young learners. Very few if any children in the area I’m working in have books to read so this program will be brand new to Barrio Sor Maria Romero. Launching this program, working as a missionary, and ministering to impoverished children will broaden my Spanish skills and help me fully engage my faith and walk with Christ.

As a junior in high school, and lots of pressure among college in the near future, this experience will enhance my decision on pursuing a career in social work and Spanish.

I will be fundraising this trip through a few different businesses and blessings that are donations. The cost of my trip totals to $1,700 plus $1,000 for the library launch and I am prayerfully asking you to consider helping me go on this once in a lifetime experience.

I am so overwhelmingly blessed and thankful for this incredible opportunity that is to come. I am so beyond excited to meet all of my brothers and sisters and Christ in Matagalpa and be able to include them in my journey that is life.

Cheers!