I had the privilege of meeting so many inspirational people in Ohio. People who have had much more life experience than I, showed me with eyes of understanding and hearts of love that Christ's love is infinite, unconditional, and eternal, and in turn, taught me more than I ever taught them.
Today I want to tell you about one of those people- my friend Josh Sailey, who has such strength, faith, and charisma. Josh isn't from the United States, he was kicked out of his home by his very own parents, he is working multiple jobs to stay alive, he has lived through a literal war, he made a home for himself in a foreign land with a foreign culture, he was a leader on his high school football team, he is one of the best runners in the state of Ohio, and he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
When I met Josh in the fall of 2009 he was 17 years old and I'll always remember the first time I met him in a sacrament meeting, because even at such a young age had passion for life that I have yet to see matched. Josh began meeting with the Elders that fall. I was moved far away that winter, and lost track of Josh.
I returned exactly a year later, I was delighted to learn that Josh had been baptized only weeks earlier, and was an active member of the Euclid Ward. Because of the wishes of his family, Josh patiently waited until he was 18 years old before he was able to be baptized, or I'm sure the event would have occurred much sooner. During that year his faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ grew into something great.
I became even more enamored with this faithful young man as I spent time observing him. Each month, Josh bore his testimony of the importance of faith in our Savior to our congregation, often with not a dry eye in the room, telling tales of a life most people only see on the big screen, a life Josh is living each and every day. Josh was soon ordained a Priest, with the Melchizedek
Priesthood and blessed and passed the sacrament each week. Sometimes, Josh was the only representative of his Priest quorum in class, but that didn't stop him from actively participating, commenting, and learning. He helped us with those we were teaching, and became a mentor for those who were beginning the journey Josh began over a year ago, who now see him as a role model. Josh has a unique way of drawing others in because of the love that he gives, like Christ, unconditionally. He is an inspiration to those around him, and he will go far in life, because, like he says, "
I won't stop running until I get to my dreams". That, and Josh has this promise from the Lord:
"So I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Joshua 1:5
Here are some excerpts from an article that a local newspaper published this week about Josh and his journey to where he is now. He has a pretty incredible story.
[ Josh Sailey knows what it's like not to eat or drink for days.
He's felt the warmth of a bullet just miss his face and experienced a riot. He's been trampled on, he's witnessed a pregnant woman being cut open and a person eating the flesh of another human being during a Civil War in his home country.
It's a childhood that haunts the Liberia native, who is a senior at South High School.
The world he came from in Africa is so much different than where he is now. No matter how hard he tries, he can't forget.
He can't forget being thrown out in the cold with no coat by his parents on a snowy day in East Cleveland.
He can't forget the loneliness he experiences at times or the pain that won't let his brain relax.
Despite all he's been through, the 18-year-old perseveres with the help of the South High School community, which has taken him in as one of their own.
"Growing up was really tough for me, but my parents are really hard working," Sailey said. "They did what they could. There were days I went without food. Sometimes I'd eat around 2 or 3 a.m. so I could go to sleep. It was really tough.
"We really didn't care about what kids have now — cars and materialistic things. We care about life. You are running every day for your life. You are running every day for shelter. You are running every day looking for another day to live. You think about having another day to live. You wake up in the morning asking yourself, ‘Wow, what is going to happen today because you never know when a shooting may happen.' "
Growing up in Liberia
On a frigid day at South, Sailey sat in the stands near the track and talked about growing up in Liberia.
He talked about a soccer game he attended as a young boy with his brother Joseph. He remembers the gun shots and being trampled in a riot. His brother tried to lead him to safety. He took his hand and told him to duck. At that moment, a bullet just missed Sailey's face.
"Every day I wake up in the morning and just thank God I'm alive," Sailey said. "I've been in East Cleveland and I've been in the Civil War and I'm still alive. Am I alive for a reason? Yeah, I believe so."
Sailey grew up in a large family with four brothers and four sisters. He moved to America with his family when he was 10. The family lived in East Cleveland, where Sailey went to grade school.
It was a daily struggle for Sailey. He was picked on because he was from a different country. He was jumped, bullied and pushed around daily.
"I was a skinny, scrawny kid," Sailey said. "People used to take advantage of me. I used to get in fights all of the time. I used to get suspended."
Sailey spent his freshman and sophomore years at Shaw High School. He joined the football team and became a kicker.
"It was tough because we were in the 'hood," Sailey said. "Things definitely were hard on me."
To make matters worse, his relationship with his parents deteriorated. As a result, he moved in with his brother Oliver Jr. in an apartment in Willoughby Hills.
"My parents didn't understand us or pay attention to us," Sailey said. "I know they care, but they aren't there for me. They just weren't involved with what we do."
"My dad did what he had to do, and it just made me a stronger, better person," Sailey said. "I know what I have to do to get to where I want to be."
A new beginning
"I put my heart out there, but I don't regret it because once again everything happens for a reason," Sailey said. "It makes you a better person. I did what I did. I wasn't happy with it, but I'm glad I just lived another year to see another day."
"I don't run for myself, but I know I should," he said. "I run for the people who care about me. If you care about me, I do what I can do in my power to show you I appreciate it. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough, but to them I am. I just do what I can do."
South track coach Matt Luck is one of the many coaches who have helped mentor Sailey. He is impressed with the sprinter's abilities to trust people and remain positive despite all he's been through.
"My goal as a coach is to help him achieve his goals and dreams," Luck said. "With Josh, he's been so accepting of people. He's been very welcomed within our school from drama club to football to track. He was around for one year not being able to do anything. But he doesn't quit. He still trusts people. It would have been easy to just walk away, but Josh didn't do that."
Looking ahead
There are many challenges Sailey faces as he prepares to graduate from South.
On the track, he's dealing with a pulled hamstring injury. At school, he's dealing with kids around him who seem to have it made with cars, strong families to fall back on and looming college trips. In his personal life, Sailey is trying to become an American citizen with the help of Krancevic.
"When I graduate, I know things are going to be really tough," he said. "I'll have to stay strong on my own. I'm going to have support, but things are going to be up to me. I'm going to have to make the toughest decisions."
One decision is how he's going to support himself now that he's 18. Another is how to get into college. His goal is to attend Lake Erie College and possibly compete in track or football. After two years at Lake Erie, he plans to transfer to Baldwin-Wallace.
"Right now he's in limbo," Krancevic said. "He doesn't have citizenship, his (illegal) alien card has expired and he can't get financial aid. He's going through a lot. But he always has a positive attitude of ‘What hurdle do I race today and how do I get over it?' "
In a calm voice, Sailey explains the challenges ahead have only made him stronger. He believes if he can survive a Civil War, a move to America and not eating for days at a time, he can survive anything.
"I'm a really strong person," he said. "I'm just like my dad. He never gives up, I never give up. Once I put my hands on something, I keep working hard and finish what I started. That's how I am. I'll make it."]
By Theresa Neuhoff Audia
The News-Herald
Here is the entire article, and a video of Josh.
Meet Mamma wolf. 
