Coming to Cumorah Academy wasn’t an easy journey for David Banda from Laredo, Texas. It was more of an uphill climb that he needed to prevail against, but ultimately, his efforts added to his character.
Many people have experienced the cards falling into place when a choice is right, and they can use that as tangible evidence that the decision they’re making is the right one.
But what about when things just don’t seem to work together for our good when we’re choosing to move forward with a potentially life-changing move?
That’s what David was faced with when he got into a car accident while preparing to come to Cumorah Academy this past winter.
Despite the difficulty he faced, David developed the resilience to overcome his trial and eventually come to Cumorah. It was because of a deep inner commitment he had to come here, and it is one that he always stayed true to.
Here’s a look at his story and how it demonstrates the resilience our students have.
Upbringings and Car Accident
Being from Laredo, Texas, David grew up in a town with a rich Mexican tradition and culture. English and Spanish were equally spoken in his daily life.
After hearing about Cumorah, David was unsure if it was something he wanted to apply for, as he felt that leadership or business courses were not really his thing. However, once the coding bootcamp was announced, he was intrigued to take a chance on Cumorah because of his passion for coding.
While getting ready to come to Cumorah, David faced the biggest setback of his life when his car accident completely totaled his car. This was a time when he could have easily given up on his aspirations to come, but he knew he could not pass on the potentially life-changing journey he was about to embark on.
With a lingering back injury from the accident and zero dollars in his bank account, David’s comeback journey began.
Though it was hard for David to overcome the initial setbacks, with a little persistence, he found a job as an industrial engineer at a company called Medline, which proved to be a catalyst for his progress moving forward.
After working 10-12 hour days at his job, he built the momentum that lifted him through his trial. After only two semesters, when he was originally scheduled to come, David carved a new path for himself to attend the Fall Semester at Cumorah Academy.
What It Means to Be At Cumorah
Having gone through what it took to get here, David was able to move into this new experience with a fresh perspective.
Taking the coding class has proven to be beneficial, as has the value added to his life from being immersed in other cultures on campus.
It is because of David’s strong resilience in overcoming his accident that he is able to look at his experience at Cumorah with a newfound light:
“If it is your goal to become someone better in your life, or to be someone higher than where you’re at now, then learning at Cumorah is going to be your golden ticket to becoming someone stronger in your life.”
Every experience has its season when it will happen in our lives. Because of the challenge David faced, he is now on the path to becoming someone new. It’s this mindset that brings new insights to the experience being had in the moment.
David’s Testimony of Cumorah’s Impact
For David, much of what Cumorah has offered him has been the baby steps toward a better life.
“Everyone has dreams, but we need to start with the baby steps, and Cumorah is the best baby step you’re going to take in your life.”
David describes the small and simple changes that students on campus undergo while they are here. It’s a change that helps people discover who they really are by developing their talents, skills, and forming strong connections with others.
All these things are the baby steps toward success in life. For David, it was his desire to be a part of these small, monumental changes taking place on campus that helped him through the dark forest he had to pass through to get here.
It was a process of knowing himself inside and out, and with that knowledge, he can now continue to expand on it here. He understands the sacrifice it took for him to be here.
That sacrifice continues here on campus as he strives daily to give more of himself:
“Cumorah is not going to do everything for you. You have to give of yourself and sacrifice your time, and if you actually do that, you will know who you are.”
Discovering who you are is why people like David come to Cumorah Academy. It’s because many people, wherever they are from in the world, know that they need to make a change to grow, and that change usually starts with coming to a spiritually uplifting environment.
Cumorah can offer that kind of impact on the lives of young people, and once they commit to being here, it’s incredible to watch the doors open up for them despite whatever setbacks come their way.
There may be some challenges in getting here, as there were for David, but for those who are meant to be here, the doors will open up, and they will feel God’s guiding hand pinpointing the way.
For David, it was a matter of trusting God and His timing for him to come to Cumorah. He didn’t want to give up because he knew it was something he needed to change and to find himself.
In short, he was able to turn a low moment in his life into something insightful and meaningful for his personal growth.
His advice on coming to Cumorah:
“So once you get to Cumorah, focus on it, focus on discovering who you are, because everything is going to open up for you.”
What will open for you is a vision of who you can become and what is possible for your life. Make the decision to apply today.
You can watch David’s testimonial here:
Written by Weylin Hollister
Photos by Natalia Lopez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
