Well, month 9 is wrapping up. I have been in Gua Musang, Malaysia, for the past few weeks. We worked at an English center, teaching classes to a variety of age groups. Gua Musang is a very small area in the middle of Malaysia, and I'll be honest…it wasn't the most enjoyable setting I've encountered over these nine months. But, as always, there were still lessons to be learned!
For instance, I realized that I do indeed love teaching English. Even in this non-ideal place, I still felt 'in my element' once class started. There's something about teaching English abroad and having the opportunity to be a positive influence in these students' lives that I just absolutely love. It's what I'm called to do! …which brings me to the biggest revelation of the month, & leads me into the title of this blog…
Through a friend of mine, I connected via email with an ESL recruiter who places ESL teachers in teaching positions overseas. After reviewing my resume, the man emailed me back with an opportunity to teach at a private preschool/elementary school in Seoul, Korea. He requested to do a skype interview, which went really well and left me feeling like this was the next opportunity to pursue. During the course of the interview, I was able to explain what I've been doing on the World Race these past nine months, to which the man immediately questioned me, "Are you a Christian?" I assured him I was, and he proceeded to discuss how teaching overseas can be a powerful form of ministry. Most of the students only see their parents for an hour a day, so as their teacher, I would have the opportunity to impact them on a daily basis. I would teach the same group of students throughout the day, teaching them the core subjects in English. It sounds perfect.
The one catch: it starts in July. I'm scheduled to come home in June. It's a 12-month commitment, which is a long time to be away from home after this adventure with only a month in between. What to do, what to do? I began to feel torn between staying on the race & going home to prepare for what's next. I began to to talk with my mom & people back home…hoping to get a clear 'yes' or 'no' from them. I got frustrated when I didn't. I finally gave it all to God and poured out my heart to Him…and that's just how it needed to be. Him and I. I needed to hear clearly from Him. I knew He was pressing on my heart to be 100% committed…not to half-heartedly choose either way without giving my all. And then in my heart, I knew what God was calling me to do. He was telling me it's time to move on to what's next. Crazy, right? This is an eleven-month program…God isn't supposed to step in and mess up the system. But in my case, He did. I came on this race hoping to see God move throughout the world and to show me what He would have me do. Done and done. Upon reflection, I have seen God move in crazy ways in 9 countries spanning 3 continents. He is truly omnipresent. And now, He's shown me what the next step is, and said it's time to pursue it wholeheartedly. Who am I to say no? Instead, like Isaiah, I want to be the one to say, "Here am I. Send me [to Korea!]."
Anyone who knows me knows that it would never be in my plans to go to Korea for a year. This is definitely God's plan, not mine. And the fact that He has already given me such enthusiasm for the students I will have and the life I will live is really incredible. I'm so excited for what He's doing in my life right now. The World Race looks different for everyone, and everyone comes into it with different goals and expectations. God has met mine and done SO MUCH MORE…and in my case, He didn't need 11 months to do it…He did it in 9. That's pretty sweet. It's time to begin a new journey…something very unfamiliar to me…and totally out of my comfort zone…but if there's one thing I've learned over these past 9 months, it's that situations like this mean that God is going to get all the glory because I'm totally relying on Him. So it's with countless fond memories, tons of crazy stories, immense peace in my heart, a smile on my face, God's hand in mine to lead & guide me, that I'm bidding adios to the World Race, and will be heading back to home sweet Minnesota in a matter of days. There I will get going on the large amount of paperwork required to get everything set to teach in Korea, spend time resting in God's hand & readjusting to life back home, and catch up on some much needed quality time with my family and friends whom I love & miss a whole lot. Then it's off to Seoul, Korea, to begin the next phase of life, fully confident that God goes before me.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey, both financially and in prayer. You have all helped immensely to advance the Kingdom of God throughout the world, and lives have been changed as a result. Please continue to keep me in your prayers in this time of transition and preparation for the next step! Love you all!
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
-Proverbs 16:3
