Achieving Goals in Ghana

After a full-time mission, Juliet's taking on a new challenge — higher education

BY: Lauren Conrad

Juliet Deletsu grew up in a family of six in Ghana. When she was 16, she was fascinated by missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and started following them to church on Sundays. When the missionaries discovered she wasn’t a member, they began teaching her and her cousin.

Juliet Deletsu

On the day of her cousin’s baptism, Juliet realized she also had a testimony of the gospel. Much to the missionaries’ surprise, she asked if she could also be baptized. They happily agreed!

Juliet’s conversion has only deepened since her baptism. “I decided to find out more,” she said. “I prayed to know the truth for myself, so I had my personal testimony. From my baptism day, I didn’t miss a Sunday of going to church. I just love it.”

After high school, Juliet’s love for the gospel gave her the desire to serve a mission. Her parents are not members of the Church, but they have always supported Juliet in her beliefs. However, funding a full-time mission would place great financial strain on their family.

Juliet prayed earnestly and pleaded with her parents to let her go. A year later, her dream came true when they gave their permission and she was called to serve in the Cape Coast Ghana mission.

An unexpected opportunity

Juliet’s faithful service has blessed her life in many ways. One of the greatest blessings she received came in the last month of her mission. Knowing she would soon return home, Juliet began thinking about the future. “[Growing up], I never had any interest in university education because of the stress and hardship,” she said. 

However, higher education now seemed like one of the best ways for her to keep progressing. But how could she afford it? She and her family had used many of their resources to pay for her mission. 

At her last zone conference, a solution surfaced. “Lucky for me, we had the couple missionaries in charge that came to speak about [BYU-Pathway] and how you can register,” Juliet said. “Just hearing about it, I was like, ‘Wow.’” 

Juliet knew immediately that she wanted to participate. She asked her mission president if she could apply to begin PathwayConnect.

“It’s just a dream come true. A prayer has been answered,” said Juliet. “[BYU-Pathway is] helping me know what to choose and what to do to become self-reliant. They are putting me on that path, and I know the things that will lead me to a better future.”

A learner and a leader

Juliet returned from her mission and just completed her first semester of PathwayConnect as part of the Africa West virtual group. She loves what she’s learning and appreciates having online classes because they allow her to work at the same time.

“I know I’m heading towards the right path,” Juliet said. “I am developing and growing more temporally and spiritually. I’m having a high-quality education with a low cost, which I never thought would happen.” 

Juliet strives to share the joy she has felt in PathwayConnect with everyone she knows. “I bear testimony to others about this because it’s really helping to grow faith,” she said. “As I practice what I’m learning, I will be able to help those around me better understand and enjoy what I’m enjoying.”

Juliet serves as the second counselor in the Relief Society presidency in her local branch, as well as the self-reliance specialist. In her free time, she loves to read and spend time with family and friends. She hasn’t decided on an area of study yet, but after PathwayConnect, she hopes to continue to earn a bachelor’s degree through BYU-Idaho’s online degree program. Whatever she chooses, she will bless many lives.  

“The Lord is mindful of all His children, and He has plans for me,” Juliet said. “[BYU-Pathway] has been a great answer to my prayers.”

How have you seen the Lord’s hand in your education? Comment below!