“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion.”
-Psalm 71:1
One word to describe Malawi: indescribable. Ironic, isn’t it? There is so much to say about this beautiful country and so little attention span available in the human mind, so let’s start with a story.
My team has been given the opportunity to help out at the school here at the Mzuzu Pentecostal Church. We’ve all been split into classrooms of different ages; Esther and myself are working with 5 and 6 year old kids.
In the class, we’ve basically been given free reign. One day, after sharing a Bible story, Esther and I sat back and thought we’d just help guide the children as Mai Temwa (our teacher, Mrs. Temwa) taught the lesson; however, that was not the case. I happened to unintentionally put myself into a situation where I was standing at the front of the classroom and Mai Temwa looked at me, handed me some chalk, and said, “It’s your turn to teach.”
I went to Northwestern State University for two things: soccer and Psychology.
I had one career path on my agenda post-graduation: Clinical Psychologist.
Nowhere in my education, my desires, or my thought process did teaching 5 year old kids ever cross my mind, but when you’ve got an author like God writing your story, he throws some pretty great curve balls into the mix.
Mai Temwa gave me her lesson plan and I just..taught. I put a crazy big smile on my face, that surprisingly enough was not fake, and I taught the lesson. That day, we learned numbers 1, 2, and 3 and letters A, B, and C. Not only did I help broaden their knowledge, I gave my teacher a few ideas for future lesson plans and topics.
I take no credit in this though. My mom has been a teacher since I can remember and I’ve learned so much from her God given abilities. Stemming all the way back to middle school, I can remember going to her class, watching her teach, and being amazed at her patience, her love, and her desire to grow her children into the adults the are now becoming.
Sorry Mom, but you’re not the only one I can give credit to and unfortunately, you aren’t the main one either. The reason I was able to teach these kids with little hesitation and barely any awkward pauses wasn’t because I’m some super human who can conquer any challenge life throws my way..and, sadly for my mother’s case, it’s barely from watching her do what she loves. The reason I taught this class of 5 and 6 year olds with ease, with certainty, and with joy was all because of God.
A year ago, never would you ever hear me say, “Hey, maybe I’ll be a teacher one day.” Three months ago, never would the words, “I think teaching preschool is my calling,” ever come out of my mouth. But God made it happen.
Granted, when I go back to the states, I still feel that preschool isn’t my life plan, but who knows. Teaching sounds more and more appealing each and every day and if it’s God’s way, who am I to say no? Who am I to correct the best author that ever existed?
It’s not my story.
It’s not my choice.
It’s not me holding the pen.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
-Colossians 3:17
