I am a teacher. This may be one of the most crucial lessons God has shown me on the World Race. In Asia, I taught at a police academy in Thailand, a college and seminary in Cambodia, and at an orphanage in Vietnam. In Africa I taught first grade in Malawi, tutored in Zambia, and taught bible in Zimbabwe. In Bulgaria and Romania, I have helped teach English is some form. And now in Moldova in teaching English to adults who only speak Russian. I’ve grown in my confide sand my ability to speak in front of groups. I am way more comfortable teaching Bible and English than when we left. Rents in my life are coming together in ways I could have never imagined. I taught college students for two years in graduate school, which gave me some proficiency in teaching. But it wasn’t until this year, teaching in so many different settings that God has revealed to me that I love teaching the basics of English to children. Of the multiple cultures and multiple age groups, the one thing that is consistent is my love for helping people learn.
In Africa, my squad leader Emma told me that I have the gift of teaching. I was surprised by this because I felt like a poor teacher in graduate school. But I get excited teaching young children, introducing them to a language that connects the world. English. But not just English as grammar and syntax. English as animals, colors, numbers, singing songs and being silly. A place where learning engages my creativity and theirs. Watching the world open up to them as they grow to know more. Seeing a child who feels accomplished gives me a sense of purpose I haven’t found in any other work.
God has revealed to me that I was made to teach young children. So this has sparked a dream in me to come home and become a kindergarten or first grade teacher. I don’t know when or where or how but I am excited! Please be praying for me. I want to continue following God to the right places. I believe that for the near future this means teaching early elementary in Hickory. But I also feel called to teach English overseas again one day. I would love to talk more about this with anyone interested. Thank you so much for your faithful love and support through this year. Can you believe the race ends in 6 weeks???? Also please forgive my typos as I now write my blogs on my cellphone. Love you guys!
