It’s been exactly two decades since I arrived in Africa to teach a third grader and a first grader for a field worker family. Twenty years! It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, but on the other hand, both of those kids are now married with families of their own.

When I left to teach in Africa, I wasn’t sure what God’s bigger plan was for me. But I felt confident that He was asking me to go and teach those TCKs (Third Culture Kids) for at least a year. On my way back to visit the States after completing my first year as a teacher, I still wasn’t sure what God had next for me. I had asked Him for guidance and direction, but I didn’t have any clear answers.

At the airport, I bumped into old friends who were dropping off a visitor, and we all sat down for coffee.

Their friend, a pastor from India, who struck me as a little too intense, asked me several direct questions about my work on the field.

Just before I had to go, he said, “It sounds like teaching TCKs is your calling.”

I wanted to tell him to back off. Even I didn’t know if that was true. Instead, I explained politely that I felt God had asked me to teach for the year, and so I had. I had no idea what the future would hold.

But after more prayer during my visit home, I felt God asking me to go back. Over the past two decades, I’ve taught 29 kids from ten families in three countries.

I love teaching kids to read, do math, think critically, and observe the world with new eyes. I get to cheer on their successes and encourage them when school is tough or when life overseas feels overwhelming. I even get invited to birthday breakfasts and cookie baking nights.

Most importantly, I get to help kids understand what God thinks about them and how to respond to Him.

As the years have passed, I’ve had the chance to meet up with my former students and hear what they are doing with their lives, how they are growing up. Whether they are kids or teens or young adults, they share their joys and struggles with me. And I always get hugs—even from the teen guys.

There have been times of beauty and times of darkness. Times of sickness and times of healing. I have had to help with evacuations and watch as my community crumbled under the devastation of war. Yet there have also been seasons of joy and growth.

Through it all, God has been faithful to me and my students, and He is always so gentle and kind.

I have thought about my conversation with that Indian pastor many times over the years. It seems that he was right—coming alongside Frontiers families by loving and teaching their kids is my calling. And I’m so thankful that I responded to it.

Pray:

• Praise God for the teachers who come alongside Frontiers field workers to give them peace of mind about education for their kids and affirm their ministry work.
• Ask God to call more teachers to support Frontiers workers and pour into TCKs.
• Pray that God will give teachers on the field passion for their work and longevity in their ministry.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**

Main photo on iStock

Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/20-years-teaching-tcks/