Born within the thriving capital of Canada, my journey began in the downtown public housing of Ottawa. While my father and mother both attended Andrews University during their undergraduate years, my father’s continued education led our small family to Ontario. Dean Self, upon the completion of his medical degree, again led a household diaspora towards western Canada. Kelowna, a luscious city nestled within the heart of British Columbia, was the stage where I developed the core of being during my adolescence. Although the city was home to a small Adventist church school, my family’s dedication to strong academics ultimately led my upbringing as a homeschooled child. Among the many cultural enrichment opportunities that homeschooling provided, …show more content…
Like a small remora riding upon a migrating blue whale, my first mission trip to the Chinandega district felt as though I was far removed from the regularities of life. Organized by my father in hopes of providing medical care to a people that had been continually abused, the journey that followed changed my life on a echelon I didn 't believe to be possible. Once the inevitable culture shock had passed, I saw beyond the rampant poverty and onwards to the inspiring stories of the resilient citizens of this nation. Daniel Ortega, a corrupt dictator who shares my given name and not much more, was the primary reason behind Nicaragua’s economic hardship. While the majority of Nicaraguans found themselves destitute, the fortunate few who drew Ortega’s favor became exceedingly wealthy. Because of the anguish that I saw around me, the negative actions of Daniel Ortega juxtaposed with the exceptional direction of my father displayed to me the value of positive leadership. Although often I found myself to be a shy individual during my early years, this particular journey spurred me to search out opportunities to lead