Creating History
by Carla Flores, Ministry Apprentice
Three weeks ago, I officially graduated with my bachelor’s degree. Since then, I have really been reflecting on what it means to create history. For me, receiving this degree was creating a historical change in my family dynamics. I was the first in both my immediate and extended family to graduate from college. This also means I am now a part of the 14% of Latinas in the U.S. that have a bachelor’s degree! At first, I was upset that the pandemic affected the way my student teaching experience ended and my graduation plans. But during these weeks, I realized something that thrilled me: Class of 2020, we are a part of history forever! Amidst a pandemic, God gave us strength, flexibility, and motivation to prevail and create history.
Every person has their own history and graduating is only a sliver of mine. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a beautiful and fruitful plan for each one of us. With this verse in mind, I began thinking about the people God had placed in my life that have been part of my history. I thought about my parents and the sacrifices they had made for me to be where I am today. I thought about my childhood friend, Amy, who taught me the meaning of loving someone like family. I thought about my coworker and friend, Shannon, who with her generous spirit taught me what it means to live selflessly. All these people had crossed paths with me and taught me valuable lessons that would shape my history. However, one person in particular, helped me establish a relationship with Jesus and this is something that I am immensely thankful for.
Jessie Chastain has been part of the Mission Adelante family for a little over 9 years. She first began volunteering in Leaders in Training (L.I.T) in January 2011. Since then, Jessie has positively impacted the lives of many young people in our community, including my own. In 2014, I was brand new to Teens Adelante and Jessie took me under her wing. I shared family troubles with her and she gave me compassion and understanding. She taught me how to pray and encouraged me to share my thoughts when we were in Bible study. But most importantly, Jessie set down the foundational groundwork for my relationship with Jesus. She planted little seeds in me that with time and patience would grow into faith. My relationship with Jessie has not changed, today I can run to Jessie with anything and know that I will be greeted with listening ears and a big heart. The most amazing part is that she continues planting those seeds and being a light for many young people in our community now.
We all have our God-written histories filled with God-sent people. For me and many others, it was Jessie who inspired us to push through and lean into Jesus. I encourage you to take some of this time to really focus on those who have helped you create your own history.