Mariama Roldan
Hi everyone! My name is Mariama and I am the Social Media Director and Content Coordinator for Array of Hope Ministries!
If you were to tell 18-year-old Mariama that she would be living in New Jersey - a place I specifically prayed not to go(!) - and working in social media - after believing I would work in the field of psychology - I would have thought that you were crazy! However, I am so happy that God has led me into a ministry that shares the Gospel through so many different avenues, meeting people where they are at. Through working in social media I have seen the power of the Gospel pierce through the darkness that can so often overwhelm this space. Like the many other stories on @yes.catholic, Array of Hope started with a humble and obedient yes that has spread into an organization that has been able to reach so many hearts through original music, retreats, events, social media, and more. It is a gift to be a part of an organization that draws me deeper into the beautiful mysteries of our faith. It is in my own saying "yes" to God that He has led me straight to this point and I am forever thankful for His infinite Goodness!
I am originally from Vermont and like some others, was baptized Catholic as an infant. However, I lived a lukewarm faith life until I entered college. It was there that I had an encounter with our living God who was reaching out and desiring to have a personal relationship with me through a FOCUS Bible Study. Prior to that, my idea of God was that of a harsh-toned, strict, rule giver that only loved me when I followed His commands. Through this Bible study, the Sacraments, and many conversations with the very patient missionaries at my Newman Center I became more convicted of the importance of a life centered on Christ. Though I studied psychology and dance in college I decided to devote the next two years post-college to Our Lord as a missionary with FOCUS Catholic. This is the first time I really saw God use my small "yes" to Him to do what He knew was best over my will. Following my time in FOCUS I gave God another faith-filled "yes" to being a campus minister at a local university in New Jersey and then after that God led me directly to where I am today with Array of Hope.
As God would have it, He took my small desires for myself and has shown me a life better than I could have ever imagined. As someone who loves to be in control, I had to learn to trust Our Lord by trusting in His promise from Jeremiah 29:11 - that He has great plans for me. In allowing God to be God, He is still writing my story and wow is it amazing (so far!) I look forward to seeing all that He has in store for me personally and for Array of Hope. If you are ever wondering if you can hand your life over to Christ - do it! He will not abandon you, but will instead, show you even more how trustworthy He is in caring for all of your wants and needs!