How can I even begin to share about my experience in Cambodia? Coming to the end of month two in Ghana, we found out our next ministry assignment. My team was absolutely elated when they found out we would be teaching at an International Theological College and Seminary (ITCS). My heart, however, was overwhelmed. Teach English? To college students! Really, God! I hardly know how to spell English, let alone teach it. Ok, so maybe I’m being dramatic. But I was very uncomfortable with where God was calling me next. As my team leader Chloe went over our set up sheet for the next month she explained in more detail what we were expected to do. We would be teaching English, public speaking, music theory, conversation, grammar, etc. I was looking for an out. Then she shared there was a need for janitorial services! I quickly said great, “I can be the janitor!!” Phew, got out of that one I thought… no teaching for me… I’m safe.
Well, as you may have guessed, God’s plans are usually different than mine. I found out very quickly that my janitorial skills were not needed at the college. In fact, I was needed somewhere else entirely! As Chloe and I sat down with our ministry host, Shaly and one of the teachers of ITCS/Director of AAA, Ross, I was asked to teach English at the Primary School: Ace American Academy. I quickly interjected. I am not a teacher. In my mind, I was terrified. Kids?! Really? I’m not sure I even like kids. I mean I love my nephews and nieces, but other people’s kids!? What is God thinking? Honestly, I don’t even know what a verb is. My current knowledge of parts of speech doesn’t go past nouns (person, place or thing). I really don’t think I can do this. Of course, I was willing to serve wherever I was needed but I truly felt so inadequate and unqualified. This was going to be a rough month.
On my first day, walking to school with Marge, I said a prayer to be open and to love the kids the best way I could. My expectations for myself were extremely low. As I entered the school I was welcomed by Jean, the Assistant Director. She is amazing. She gave me her weekly lesson plan and gave me quick update where the kids left off. I would have two different classes. The morning class (3 hrs) and the afternoon class (3 hrs) and I would be teaching at different levels and different age ranges from 9-16 years old. I began to feel excited. I got markers for the white board, books on reading comprehension, workbooks filled with fun activities and a vocabulary list. This is great! I love new school supplies and the smell of new books. I’m a nerd in that way for sure. Love the supplies but not the school work.
As I entered the classroom, I was greeted by the most beautiful faces. The kids stood to their feet and all at once said, “Good morning, teacher! It’s nice to see you!” Oh my goodness, melt my heart!!! Once I told them to take their seats, we were off. I introduce myself and started diving right into the vocabulary words. To be honest the first day is a blur! I left feeling so encouraged and excited. I found myself researching lesson plans and having a blast putting worksheets and quizzes together (Thank you, Pinterest!). I quickly learned/got myself a crash course on what verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns were. My teammate teacher “Amanda Grammarhead” (grammar genius) even explained participles and infinitives (which are way over my head). But I started to feel like maybe I could do this. Maybe I could teach these kids.
It took no time at all for me to fall in love with my students. They were pushing themselves, engaging and even learned to sign. I introduced them to American Sign Language. We went over the ASL alphabet and animals. When we went over our spelling words I had them sign it at the same time. If they needed help spelling a word I would spell it in sign and they would have to spell it out themselves. I loved being with them and trying fun and creative ways for them to learn. I enjoyed correcting worksheets and quizzes. My kids often laughed at me because I always would reply “Excellent” when they got something correct. “Excellent”, they would mock me. I discussed the importance of listening to each other, encouraging one another, the importance of being on time and paying attention to instructions. I had them do pushups or jumping jacks if they returned late from break. Every minute you’re late equals the number you must do to come back into class. I mean, truly, I was thriving!!!
There was tremendous joy in sharing life with these kids and teaching them. My heart was full and excited. There was a clear passion that seemed to come out of nowhere, or did it? Looking back God has made it clear that He is calling me to be a teacher. Gulp! At training camp, before the race, God reminded me that Chloe had spoken two words over me, one of them was teacher. I came into the second month and was lead to scripture by a squad leader. “And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12. In month two I also did inner healing and was delivered from a bunch of lies. At the end of my session, one of the words the Holy Spirit gave me was teacher. My teammates encouraged me that I had a gift for teaching. The director at AAA said he was surprised from my earlier comment that I was not a teacher. He continued to express that it was in my nature, I was creative, compassionate, and I was meant to teach.
Despite all the signs, I quickly dismissed the promptings from God and others. Clearly, He isn’t calling me to be a teacher (sarcasm emphasized). This is scary for me. To be in a place where I know God is calling me is exciting but overwhelming. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself these last few months. Commitment is one of my biggest struggles. It’s easier to give up on a dream rather than work hard and fail. I am praying that God will initiate change in my life – that I will push through the hard work to pursue His calling for my life!! Whatever that looks like, I am called to teach.
*Note – below is a movie link with photos and videos of my kiddos at AAA, I miss them so much but so glad to have the opportunity to stay in touch with them.*
