Psalm 27:4- “ Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
As I reflect on my senior year, I am filled with an immense amount of gratitude and joy. When I transitioned back to the states as a second semester junior in high school, my prayer was to find a community where I could nurture my gifts in the performing arts as well as establish new connections with my peers while maintaining my South African friendships. Early on I was overwhelmed by the school which I attended as it was three times larger than the size of my South African one, and it appeared that my efforts to join my school’s theater group had been halted as I was not selected for their one act play’s cast.
In those moments I felt discouraged, overlooked, and lonely. I knew America was where God called our family to be, however I could not help but feel saddened by the life I had left in South Africa. I was able to confide in my parents and they encouraged me to look for a place where I could develop my craft outside of my high school. We discovered an African American run theater downtown. Although it would add to my workload, my parents urged me to attend the theater’s acting program during spring break. Little did I know the impact this experience would have on my life. The program gave me the opportunity to connect with directors, playwrights, and choreographers. I earned a scholarship for their summer program where I played a prominent role in their musical. By the time my senior year arrived, I gained confidence in my faith as I realized that America was where God needed me to be to align myself with His plan for my life.
As a senior, I served as the President of Black Student Union, one of the leaders for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of the school’s drill team (The Bearkadettes), lead organizer for my school’s community service organization, and I became a lead actress in my debut role as Mrs. Wormwood in my high school’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical. I went on to obtain my driver’s license, and was admitted into my dream school, Howard University, where I will study and train in the discipline of Musical Theatre at the Chadwick A. Boseman School of Fine Arts. My family and friends spent the month of May celebrating my graduation, and I was elated to witness the love and support from the community God has blessed me with since returning to the States.
Senior year was busy, however without God’s provision and your prayers I do not know how any of this would have been possible. I was able to thrive as a student and leader at my school, built new friendships while maintaining my South African ones, reconnected with my extended family members and grew in my relationship with God. I am grateful for the scholarships and gifts that I have received and will continue to trust God for funding to afford my college tuition. Although I will always miss the life I had in South Africa, God will never fail in guiding me to a place of gratitude and joy for all that He has done for me and discovering that I can find my home in His love. What a season!
Prayer requests:
- God’s provision in affording my college tuition
- Grow in my relationship with God
- Peace in the midst of my transition to college
- Discover a community where I can blossom in college
Thank you so much for your prayers and continued support.
Sincerely,
Noel Desire Best
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