Danielle is from Kipnuk, a village of 900 people on the western coast of Alaska. She is the oldest of 4 siblings and came to Mt. Edgecumbe High School four years ago. She attended Young Life as a freshman and heard about Jesus in a way she understood. Young Life leaders began pouring into her and she got plugged into church and into a church Bible study. Later that spring she was baptized and returned home to her family.
At home Danielle talked with her parents and siblings about Jesus and about the difference he made in her life. Danielle's younger sister Kristen was involved in drugs and alcohol and serious relationships with boys. She was failing her classes and was on the edge of depression and dropping out of school. While at school in Sitka, Danielle had always asked for prayer for her family and during one of these prayer times, her Bible study leader Carolyn asked if she, Carolyn, could call Kristen. Danielle agreed. Carolyn called and during their phone conversation, Kristen decided too wanted to walk with God! Kristen continues to call regularly and Carolyn continues to mentor this young woman who lives 1200 miles away.
What happened next in Kristen's life was nothing short of miraculous. She became excited about God and started reading her Bible, She stopped doing drugs and became interested in life again. She cared about her classes and her future. Her grades shot up to all As and one B: it was like she was a new person. Teachers were amazed, her family was amazed. It was also during this school year that Danielle's mom and two younger brothers also found God. The only family member who still hadn't come to a faith in God was Danielle's father. Danielle believed that her dad would only come to Jesus on his death bed, but this summer God performed another miracle. When he came to Sitka for his daughter's graduation- he was impressed with the people who invested in Danielle and in her involvement with Young Life and Church. This summer he too found Jesus!
Danielle is super excited to have her whole family walking with God now and is also so excited for the what the future could hold. She is very excited because her father is the type of person who is always talking with kids everyday about how to have a good life- whether it is about education, avoiding drugs and alcohol, or keeping a positive attitude. "Imagine all the things he can talk to my siblings about, if he learns most of the things I learned this year! God is so Amazing!!!"
