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WI Theology Graduate Daniel Maron speaks out about studying in Australia, his life-changing accident and his vision for the future.

"I arrived in Australia from Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is the 3rd largest city in the world with 21 million people - yes, the entire population of Australia in just one massive city. I arrived here knowing no English and a dream that one day I would study for a Diploma of Youth Ministry.

I started to study English at the University of New South Wales and worked after class delivering pizzas. Less than two months after my arrival in Australia my life was turned upside down when I was involved in a huge car accident. I lost all movement and feeling in my left arm and had to have three extensive operations, followed by more than four months in hospital rehabilitating. It was devastating.

There are many things in life that we can’t explain. We can search for answers our whole lives or just move on and adapt. To be honest, in my case as a 19 year old, it took me a long time to accept and learn to cope with the changes in my life.

In the midst of all this turbulence and confusion I had an incredible sense of God’s presence, bringing me comfort and guidance. I decided to stay in Australia and pursue my goals, completing my two-year full-time Diploma of Youth Ministry, and then a Bachelor of Theology at Wesley Institute.

When I look back, I’m glad God helped me to fulfil my dreams.
I have learnt that IMPOSSIBLE doesn’t exist.

Wesley Institute was so important to my development as a Christian. All my classes were inspiring yet also grounded and realistic. It’s a place where you build strong, lifelong relationships with both staff and students. But more than that, it’s like a family to me – everybody is so welcoming and willing to help each other out.

I was privileged to be accepted into an intensive preaching course at Wesley in 2007, and it was one of the best years of my ministry life. I learnt so much, and the course opened up a lot of opportunities to preach in different churches. It also led to my new role leading the Youth and Young Adults ministry at St Matthew’s Uniting Baulkham Hills, which I love, especially because young people are the church of today and tomorrow."

Today, the future looks bright for Daniel. He leads a Friday night youth program at St Matthew’s that continues to flourish, drawing an average of 45-60 young people each week to spend time together and learn about God. Despite the challenges of his disability, it is clear that Daniel’s passion for God, study at Wesley Institute and zeal for life have set him in good stead to beat the odds and accomplish all that God has prepared for him. Wesley Institute wishes him every blessing for the future.