I was 21 when I moved to the United States to pursue my dreams in the land of opportunity. Instead, I found myself in the midst of painful and conflicting circumstances. Basically, I entered the “University of Life,” and learned how to endure pain and rejection from others. At first I could not understand all the pain and rejection, but, eventually, I learned a great deal about life that no other University could have taught me. I remember, one day I felt so lonely; it was like being an orphan, even though I was not an orphan. Being away from home and family made me lose that sense of safety and security one only gets from being part of a family. At that moment I uttered, “When I get back on my feet, I am going to help orphans.” The rejection I experienced broke me into pieces, and left me in confusion and despair. I cried for days, did not want to come out of my room, and had to force myself to eat and go to work. One day, during my lunchtime, I was sitting in my car crying and asking God the “Why” question. I wanted to know why people had hurt me the way they had, and why I was left alone to pick up the pieces. At that moment, I felt the truth hit me as lightning hit the Earth. I began to utter, “What is wrong with me? What is wrong with me that I allow all these people to hurt me like this?” From that day on, I prayed every morning, “Lord Jesus, change the things in me that need to be changed.” My search began. I was searching for the answer to my “Why” question. The healing journey began when I started taking classes and reading books on healing the mind and emotions to educate myself and grow. I learned about boundaries and was, finally, able to say “no” where I couldn’t before. I feel my dream to help orphans has come true, as I am helping people with rejection issues and orphan hearts to experience healing and restoration. We don’t have to lose our parents to become orphans, but so many people are experiencing an orphan lifestyle, and as a result, are hurting. This is why I founded the “School of Hope.” It is for those who have lost hope, but can come and receive the genuine love and hope that only Jesus can offer.

My life philosophy is that life is a gift from God, not a burden. Sometimes the difficulties of life make us shift our focus as we start feeling the burdens of life, which causes us to forget that life is a gift. I have had two spinal cord surgeries. After the second surgery, pain became part of my daily routine. I have to remind myself every day that life is a gift from God, so that I do not lose perspective on life and to keep me going despite chronic pain.

Life is a beautiful and precious gift. We should cherish and appreciate life no matter what happens in our lives.