Yaquelin Ortiz-Tapia

“La cruz nos indica una forma distinta de medir el éxito.”

-Papá Francisco

 

Where I serve

Screen Shot 2024 06 11 at 3.12.41 PM
Introducing the CSUN missionary team: Ryan, myself, Angelika, and Joe!!

God has called me to serve at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for my second year of mission! I am so excited to be sharing the gospel in sunny Southern California and continue to walk with the women I’ve been entrusted with. It’s been such a crazy adventure moving from Maryland to California and I can’t wait to see all the things the Lord has in store for me and my students this upcoming school year!!

My Story

When I moved to College Park to start my freshman year at the University of Maryland in fall 2019, I never imagined the plans God had in store for me. Although I was not a stranger to the faith having grown up Catholic, I did not really know God. My life was centered on my own self-interests and things I thought would make me happy but always left me feeling so unsatisfied. From the moment I stepped foot inside the Catholic Student Center (CSC), I knew there was something different there. Looking back now, I can see why. As humans, we live in a broken world that has lost confidence in God- this brokenness is highlighted on the college campus. I think this is why I found myself desiring holiness as I became more involved at the CSC. In a world that is full of sin, the light of Christ always shines ten times brighter and surpasses even the darkest areas.

Cuando me mudé a College Park para comenzar mi primer año en la Universidad de Maryland en 2019, nunca imaginé los planes que Dios tenía para mí. Aunque habia crecido católica, realmente no conocía a Dios. Mi vida se centraba en mis propios intereses y en cosas que pensé que me harían feliz pero nunca me dejaban satisfecha. Desde el momento en que entre al Centro de Estudiantes Católicos (CSC), supe que allí había algo diferente. Ahora, puedo ver claramente por qué. Como seres humanos, vivimos en un mundo quebrantado que ha perdido la confianza en Dios; esta oscuridad ataca mas a los jovenes. Creo que por esa razon me encontré deseando la santidad cuando comencé a involucrarme más en el CSC. En un mundo lleno de pecado, la luz de Cristo siempre brilla diez veces más y supera incluso los lugares más oscuros.

My time in college was absolutely fundamental to my personal growth- it’s made me into the person I am today and it’s changed the way I view the world. Retreats, bible study meetings, upper rooms, and countless events at the CSC have served to help me deeply encounter Christ. As my time at UMD ends, I can confidently say that I’m walking away with friendships that will last for life, a community that will always be a home to me, and most importantly: a relationship with the God who has called me by my name. God has used the CSC to build a solid foundation for my life and I couldn’t be more thankful. I’m ready for the next chapter God has prepared for me and I’m excited to bring a little piece of the CSC with me to California!

Mi tiempo en la universidad fue absolutamente fundamental para mi crecimiento personal: me convirtió en la persona que soy hoy y cambió mi forma de ver el mundo. Retiros, reuniones de estudio bíblico, e innumerables eventos en el CSC han servido para ayudarme a encontrarme profundamente con Cristo. Al terminar mi tiempo en UMD, puedo decir con confianza que me voy con amistades que durarán toda la vida, una comunidad que siempre será un hogar para mí y, lo más importante: una relación con Dios. Dios ha usado el CSC para construir una base sólida para mi vida y no podría estar más agradecida. ¡Estoy lista para el próximo capítulo que Dios ha preparado para mí y estoy emocionada de llevar el evangelio a California!

Screen Shot 2024 06 11 at 2.59.51 PM
Welcome BBQ at the CSC in August 2019- which was also my first event with this beautiful community!

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. Spreading the message of God cannot be done alone. With your spiritual and financial contribution, we can continue in the transformation of the world! Your support will help me not only reach out to those souls on campus, but also lead them to become disciples to all nations. I’ve been blessed with some of the most amazing people who have journeyed with me throughout my time on and off campus.

If you’re interested in joining and partnering with me in Christ’s mission, please let me know of the best way to reach you to schedule an appointment! You can contact me via email ([email protected]) or my cell phone number (443-962-4928). 

Cuando respondí a la llamada de Dios para ser misionera con FOCUS, tomé la decisión de contar con el apoyo espiritual y financiero de personas quien  ayudar me y venir, en un forma, en misión conmigo. Compartir el Evangelio de Dios no puede hacerse solo. Con su contribución espiritual y financiera, podemos continuar en la transformación del mundo. Su apoyo me ayudará compartir el Evangelio para  alcanzar a esas almas en el campus, sino también a guiarlas para que se conviertan en discípulos de todas las naciones. Yo también estoy bendecida con personas increíbles travez de FOCUS, quien han caminado conmigo a lo largo de mi tiempo y camino hacia Jesus. Si usted está interesado en unirse y asociarse conmigo en la misión de Cristo, por favor dejame saber la mejor manera de comunicarme con usted!

Screen Shot 2024 06 11 at 3.07.17 PM
I had the great privilege of leading a Latina Bible Study at UMD. It was such a joy to walk with these women!

 

Screenshot
These are some of the women in my bible study at CSUN. I hope to continue sharing my life with them in the same way others did for me at Maryland!

 

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!
FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Build Virtuous Friendships Together

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Give
CLOSE