THE DEFINITION OF “IMPACT”
is the force of impression of one thing on another, or a significant or major effect. The Impact Story I get to share results from someone else’s “yes”—the “yes” of my parents, my pastors, and the generosity of those who believed in me.
On February 14, 2004, my mother, who was unable to conceive biological children due to a rare medical condition, received a dream from the Lord that she would go to Nepal and adopt a little girl named Abigail. My mother is an artist, and during this season, she did faux finishing in houses. In the dream, God miraculously showed my mother what my face looked like and the mural she would paint in my childhood bedroom. That night, the verse in Jeremiah where God says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb,” came alive to my mother.
The following day, my mom said “yes” to the faith journey ahead of her and began believing in my future arrival to sunny Naples, Florida. So many voices told her this wasn’t from God or that God meant something else, but she clung to Luke 1:45, which states, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Her journey was arduous, and she traveled to Nepal several times before being able to bring me home. However, she knew it wouldn’t be a God thing if it were easy, so it built her faith more. After a long two years and seven months of waiting and trusting, I was home.
On September 18, 2006, I went from nameless to Abigail—meaning “my Father’s joy.” Orphaned and without a birthday or birth certificate, I was now chosen, adopted, and celebrated. First Peter 1:18 became my life verse, which says, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” Without the impact of my mother and father, I would not be here. Not just here telling you this story, but in this country, where I’m free to express my faith and beliefs without persecution and given the gift of knowledge and independence while surrounded by the most incredible friends and family I could ever imagine. All because of one person’s “yes.”
The miraculous thing about impact is that it goes from person to person. It is a small seed that’s sown patiently. And this seed took some time to grow in my own life. Though incredible parents raised me and I grew up in the church, I didn’t truly have a relationship with God until middle school. I struggled with identity issues, fear of abandonment, and fear of rejection, among other things. It wasn’t until the summer before 6th grade that I had a radical encounter with Jesus, leading me to begin my relationship with God. Like many of us, I went through seasons where my faith waned, especially in high school.
Then came 2020—the year that changed everything. Amidst the chaos of COVID-19, I joined a summer internship at my church and began volunteering every day. This internship changed my life as I was surrounded by peers who were also pursuing the Lord and His plan. I participated in the internship for the next three summers, fell in love with ministry, and caught God’s heart for His people. I served any chance I could, wherever I could. From wearing a princess costume for our church skit to making dance moves to kids’ worship songs, reading lines for our Sunday news, and pulling off our once-a-month student services—I loved being a part of something much bigger than myself.
At this point, I had still never considered ministry as a career. I planned to pursue a business degree and stay in Florida, but it was during my third year with the internship that the Lord convicted me: I was treating my role in ministry like a hobby, something I could do on the side rather than a God-given passion.
“I went from nameless to Abigail—meaning “my Father’s joy.” Orphaned and without a birthday or birth certificate, I was now chosen, adopted, and celebrated.”
In that moment, I realized that if I didn’t say “yes” to the call of God on my life, people’s “yes” to eternity would be on the line.
So, despite my years of hard work, 5.3 GPA, 182 community service hours, and a full-ride to business school, God was calling me to something different—He was calling me to Highlands College. In the summer of 2022, I decided to apply despite my family’s disapproval and financial constraints. I knew that getting to Highlands College would require supernatural provision from God. After a month of trusting, fervent prayers and fasting, God not only provided the vehicle I needed to get here but, in an unbelievable way, provided the full scholarship that would cover my entire education—funded by the extraordinary generosity of donors who believed in me.
The impact of my mom’s obedience, the faith of my pastors, and the influence of those who championed me has led me to where I am today—fully provided for and the first in my entire family to go to college. Not because of anything I’ve done but because of the profound effect of someone’s “yes.” While you may never see all the lives your “yes” and generosity are transforming, I am living proof of the countless Highlands College students whose futures are forever changed because of you. So thank you. ■
Watch Abigail’s Story, Ministry in Motion, from the 2025 MOTION Student Conference.
Content has been edited on June 26, 2026 for republishing.
