Latonya Young, a hairstylist who moonlights as an Uber driver, is grateful for an unexpected blessing from one of her fares. Young said, “That one ride changed me.”

Kevin Esch was a passenger that Young picked up outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As they chatted, Young happened to mention that she was recently forced to withdraw from college because of an unpaid student account. Young remembered, “Every time I got ready to pay the money, my kids needed something. I said, 'OK, I'll just wait.’” A few days later, Latonya was surprised to be notified that she was eligible to register for classes at Georgia State University. Esch had paid her $700 debt.

Esch told CNN, “There was something about Latonya that resonates with me and we developed an incredible friendship now and I am incredibly proud of what she's done. I could've bought new clothes or I could've helped someone out. And what has come back to me has come back a hundredfold and I would do it 1,000 times over.”

In December, Esch was in attendance as Young graduated from Georgia State with an associate’s degree in criminal justice. She intends to return to GSU to pursue a bachelor’s degree, the next step in her quest to become an attorney.

Possible Preaching Angle: Part of the call of discipleship is a readiness to be used by God to bless God's people. God can use any relationship or interaction for His kingdom purpose; as Christians we should be on the lookout for opportunities to share God's love through acts of service, gratitude and generosity.

Source: Mallory Hughes, “An Uber driver got a college degree after one of her passenger wiped out her debt,” CNN.com (January 2, 2020)