When starting a new journey in life, there are experiences that truly open up the horizons of any young person’s world.
For Christopher Ortega, Cumorah Academy has been nothing short of a life-changing experience. His semester here has become a reassuring beacon of hope, enabling him to gain a fresh outlook on life.
Like many others, Christopher’s journey began when doors opened, guiding him to this opportunity. Upon first hearing about the academy, he immediately knew it was the right place for him.
Reaching this point required great sacrifice, but once everything fell into place, he knew with certainty that this experience was one he would not trade for anything.
Life Before Cumorah:
Growing up in Nicaragua, Christopher had always dreamed of going abroad for an adventure and to study.
First, he had some challenges he had to overcome, most notably growing up without having his father in his life. When he was 15 years old, he had to learn how to care for his little sister and perform all the household chores when his mom went away for work in Costa Rica.
During this time, Christopher learned, “I had to mature really quickly and I realized if you work really hard to achieve your goals, the skies are going to be the limits.”
This experience truly helped him to develop a growth mindset, enabling him to see what kind of experiences and people would truly prove to be a difference maker in his life. He began to search and pray for the right people to come.
It also helped him prepare to be the kind of man he would be when he got older and was ready to make the decision to come to Cumorah. So, when the time came for him to learn about Cumorah – he was wholeheartedly ready to recognize it was right for him.
Challenges in Coming to Cumorah
After hearing about Cumorah from a friend who attended campus in a previous semester – Christopher was instantly intrigued to know more.
He was attracted by the mission and purpose of Cumorah. Though Christopher is one of our students who is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he was still drawn to our mission because it was centered around Jesus Christ.
When he was accepted to attend this semester – Christopher cried in realizing his dream to travel abroad had come true.
While preparing to come, it became clear that Christopher would not be able to pay for his ticket to come to the Czech Republic – even after working overtime in his job.
After praying to know what he should do, he describes an angel that came into his life at the right time. It was his mom’s boss.
She was willing to cover the cost of the ticket with her miles rewards points on her credit card.
“When I heard that from her, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was so unbelievable that I can’t even explain in words because only the Lord can do this.”
Christopher’s story is true for many students who attend here. The doors seem to open up at the right time. The right people come to aid them in time of need. Prayers are answered in a way for everything to fall into place for coming here. If you truly want to be here, the path will open up.
How Cumorah is Impacting His Life
Being at Cumorah has proved to be a life-changing experience for Christopher. It’s given him a safe space where he can grow up and experience different cultures around him. This has challenged him in many ways to change his overall perspective of the world and his own life.
“Cumorah has been the best safe space that I’ve had in my entire life. It has been a miracle for me.”
Being here has helped him to realize that God answers prayers. Cumorah has been that answer to a prayer for Christopher. He realizes that more and more every day as the people he has around him in this space continue to help mold and shape him.
He shares a little bit about advice our mentors shared here at Cumorah and how that advice is now changing his life,
“If you really want something in your life, God is going to put a mountain in front of you to climb. I think I’ve been climbing this mountain for a really long time and here at Cumorah I feel like I am at the top of this mountain.”
Getting to the top of the mountain is not the end. It’s only a new beginning. For Christopher and many other students attending Cumorah this semester – the top of the mountain is a new beginning. It’s a fresh perspective on life.
Soon, Christopher will leave campus and return home ready to put what he has learned into practice. There he will begin the process of climbing a new mountain heading in the direction of his new life vision.
The difference now, however, is that Chris has the experience of being at the top of the mountain in Cumorah. He has seen a part of his potential and with this experience now being a part of his story – he’s ready to climb his next mountain knowing it’s a part of the process towards reaching his next peak, which will prove to be even sweeter.
His advice to those thinking of studying for a semester at Cumorah Academy,
“There’s a lot of young people out there who are lacking a sense of purpose in their life. By coming to Cumorah, they can find that purpose here, and they’re going to meet the best people in the world.”
Chris is one of those examples of young people out there who were changed through this experience. His eyes now shine with the glow of potential and renewed vision. His testimony is one that reflects on what Cumorah Academy can offer you.
Christopher shared a few words in the following clip:
Written by Weylin Hollister
Photos by Natalia Lopez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
