Skyler Hodges - Selma, AL

I have always had a desire to serve and help others but it is was something that I put on the backburner when my mother had got sick in March of 2020. So for 2 years straight I was in survival mode and just trying to help out my family in whatever way I could. I could not dream of changing the world like I once did when my household was in shambles. As the eldest sister of 3 siblings, I essentially took on my mothers role. All the cooking, cleaning, errands, and even caring for my mother fell on my shoulders. I even took on 3 jobs at one point. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. It took a great toll on my mental health and grades. I even contemplated dropping out of college several times. I grew very bitter and anxious. In about November 2021 I decided to stop resisting the difficulty of my current position in life and lean into the despair. I let myself grieve and lament before God without the fear that it would offend Him. I decided that since I couldn’t change my circumstance I could change my outlook on it. I told myself that God was good even though my life wasn’t. I worshipped in song and reading scripture even though there was no evidence of things getting any better for my family and I. In doing this, I began to hope again. That newfound hope lead me to making a visionboard for 2022 in December. I put down every desire of my heart on this board even though it seemed almost stupid for someone who’s life had been in so much turmoil for so long to hope to for better. I did it anyway. So when January rolled in I took action towards fulfilling the goals on my vision board. I took a new student leadership position to fulfill my goal of becoming more social. Then on January 18th I got an email about the Selma trip. I signed up right away. As a history major and a black woman, I knew the historical and personal significance of Selma. Also I put on my board that I wanted to travel more and serve God in new ways. It just seemed perfect for me. And when I tell you that everything fell perfectly into place for me to go on this trip, it’s so crazy looking back. God really wanted me to go on this trip. One of our team leaders was Jada Tarvin Abu-Bekr. I’m pretty sure most people know who she is and even if they don’t she has a banner of West Campus if anyone ever wants to see her. I have to shout her out personally because I met her because of this trip and she forever changed my life. Not only did her passion for social justice and missionary work embolden me and open up my eyes, but as another black woman on this campus she affirmed me in a way that I didn’t know I needed. I couldn’t have asked for better team leads or team members. The trip itself was a very overwhelming one for me. It’s one thing to read about history but immersing myself in it physically and walking in the footsteps of people like MLK was so surreal. The trip taught me that it is necessary as a Christian to hold two opposing ideas and seek God for answers first. Seeing that racism and a sort of unspoken segregation is still prevalent in parts of Selma hurt but in order for healing to take place in polarized spaces like Selma and America in general, wisdom and grace must be abundantly present. Pastor Karen Rouggly taught me that. I find myself still unpacking the impact that the Selma trip had on me. I can honestly say that Selma sparked in me a passion to continue to do missions work but God has given me the desire to specifically do it in impoverished black communities where generational curses need to be broken. Working with the black youth of Selma left me wanting more. I have worked with youth all my life and I will use that experience to pour into black children that need hope, light, and resources. I used to pray everyday that God would show me my purpose and because of Selma I now know what that is. Praise God!