I met Nick, a man who is so passionate about God, through my church. He was and remains to be one of the most influential leaders I've ever had. After going on a mission trip to Malawi, he felt called by God to teach at the American Bible College and serve. He returned to Malawi within one month of making that decision; he will be gone a total of two years.
Nick was directionless, a wanderer... but full of wonder and love of and for the Lord. He related to so many high school students, and nothing inspired me to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ than to see him leave everything he once knew behind, and so fast, all in the name of our Heavenly Father.
I gave my Giving Key that said "Inspire" to him on his last night within our youth group. We had an end of summer celebration and I pulled him aside from the waterslide and handed my key to him. We both cried. From the day I gave it to him to every time I see him on social media, he is wearing my key among the many students he has in Malawi.
Nick continues to inspire me every day he is there, by showing me nothing is more important, life fulfilling, and rewarding than serving the world and the Lord. As much as I miss my favorite accessory, I know it is a daily reminder to Nick that there are not only kids around him he is teaching, but also kids 10,000 miles away.
-Caitlin
