In the late '90s, my parents started a youth camp in a small town called Andrews, North Carolina, which I don't think you've ever heard of. Some people thought I was crazy to run a Christian youth camp in the middle of nowhere, but they didn't care. My parents were faithful in doing what God commanded them to do.
Needless to say, faith has guided their entire lives, and faith has made a difference in countless other people. Today, the small camp they started is known as Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters, which hosts 15,000 to 16,000 students each year and is considered one of the largest youth camps on the East Coast.
My parents have always been my biggest inspiration for their unwavering faith in God and how they used God's light to impact so many lives. But as I transitioned from a boy to a man, there came a time when I had to decide how I wanted to live my life. I must answer God's call when it comes to football, college, and living a life that honors God's grace and blesses others as He has blessed me. It didn't happen.
my upbringing and family
I, like most kids, didn't necessarily have a traditional upbringing. I wasn't sitting inside the house watching TV or movies or playing video games. I always wanted to be outside snowboarding with other kids at camp and helping out whenever I could.
I understand how this lifestyle and upbringing is for everyone, but I can honestly say that I love my small town and being a snowbird and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Masu. I also didn't have a traditional family, which I'm grateful for and helped shape me into the person I am today.
I have two biological siblings and three adopted siblings. My youngest brother, Malachi, is a very interesting story in itself. Malachi had been in my mom's tutoring program when he was in first grade or his second grade, so he got to know him through that program and developed a relationship with him. Malachi's mother struggles with addiction, and while her father hasn't featured much thus far, my mother knows his mother very well and has a lot to say about her and the things she goes through on a daily basis. We have supported you in everything.
To make a long story short, one day when my mother brought Malachi home from a tutoring session, a DSS worker was there. When Malachi's mother learned that my family was opening our home as a transitional home, providing a stable home for children in foster care until they can find families, Malachi's mother I asked him if he could take me there. Her mother didn't blink an eye.
Since that day, Malachi's mother trusted my family with the care of her son, we welcomed him into our home, and we now have full custody of Malachi.
We couldn't be more grateful to our community for believing in us and believing in all the good things we're trying to do, but to have a new brother that we'll always be proud to call brother in Malachi. Even happier.
a A place to always call home
Giving back and having an impact on others is something my family has dedicated their lives to, and it will always stay with me and be a part of who I am. This is further embodied in Andrews, where the town is not poor or anything, but it does have a significant amount of bankruptcies and people struggling with addiction. The reason my parents are so passionate about her Snowbird, tutoring programs, nonprofits, etc. is because they don't want to see these kids make the same mistakes their parents did.
That's why my parents started Snowbird in the first place. It was to give children the opportunity to know God and live a life of service. And most importantly, have all kinds of fun and unforgettable experiences.
But in recent years, the success with Snowbird has led the camp to branch out and expand in a variety of ways. Thanks to my mother, the aforementioned tutor had a great impact on the community. We have hosted soccer camps for children with special needs.
About 10 or 15 years ago, my parents founded a church where missionaries, including my sister and brother-in-law, are based. I don't always have time to reflect on all that my parents accomplished with this idea they came up with nearly 30 years ago, but I do appreciate how many lives they touched and how profound it was. It's truly inspirational when you think about it. The impact they had on the community. Because of this, I knew that no matter where life took me, Andrews would always be home.
Turning a disaster into a blessing
Anyone who has played at a small school knows that the “best” athlete is usually the quarterback. I come from a very athletic family and played quarterback by default in high school. But to be honest, the position never appealed to me. It's always been a dream of mine to play wide receiver, and if you know anything about me, I'm determined.
I drove two hours to Gainesville, Georgia to train and learn from some of the best about what it takes to become a DI wide receiver. I also drove 90 minutes to Asheville, North Carolina three days a week. Because I was very hungry and willing to go through the learning, training and camp required to play wide receiver. Then the coronavirus hit, and I felt like my dreams were shattered. All camps were closed, along with training in Gainesville and Asheville. I was devastated.
But my family and I continued to pray, knowing that God somehow had a plan for me to get through all of this. And he did.
I ended up transferring to a private boarding school in Georgia called Rabun Gap. All my training and hard work paid off as I was not only offered the opportunity to play as a receiver, but also thrived on the field in that position.
After my first season, I had every offer to play at the next level. I changed classes and played two more seasons at Rabun Gap and that's how I ended up getting into Virginia Tech. I thought it was a curse that camps and trainings were shut down because of the coronavirus, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to transfer to Rabun Gap or play at Virginia Tech. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
God's plans are always bigger than ours and I can definitely say that God's plans gave me the greatest experience of my life as a receiver for the Hokies.
God has a plan
Even though I'm five hours away from home, I carry a piece of my hometown with me wherever I go, including Blacksburg. Serving those in need and loving others is something I strive for every day. That's how I was raised, but as I got older I realized that it was my calling. Just like my parents were.
I realized that life doesn't always go the way I want it to. I have tried countless things on and off the field. However, I have always believed that if I remain steadfast in my faith and trust in God's plan, He will see me through any challenges or obstacles that come my way.
I want to help do the same for others, especially the underprivileged youth of Snowbird. Because no matter who you are or where you come from, God has a plan and a calling for each of us.
It is up to us to answer that call.
