ChristianWeek

At this time last year, I had no idea what lay ahead. I’d just graduated from university with a degree in English Linguistics but wasn’t sure how to find a job in my “field”—or what my field even was!

Returning from a three-week assignment teaching English as an Additional Language in Ukraine, an old friend who was leaving her position as editorial assistant at ChristianWeek encouraged me to apply for it. I leaped at the chance and was thrilled to get the job.

Ten months later, I’ve learned about the process of putting together a newspaper, learned how to use a Mac computer and have tested my hand at some news writing. I’ve enjoyed applying my knowledge of the minutiae of English grammar, usage and etymology to the copy, at times regaling my officemates with more insight on parallel structure than they cared to hear.

I’m so grateful to Doug Koop for taking in this inexperienced young woman, giving me time and space to find my feet in the job and the chance and encouragement to try new and daunting tasks—like writing the Letter from the Editor.

However, once again, I have no idea what lies ahead. Equipped with new skills, I’m leaving my first career position for the next challenge into which God is leading me. I guess Doug’s talk of Africa had an effect, because I’m going to Cameroon in August to spend a 10 months homeschooling missionary kids.

Three pre-teen girls and a six-year old boy will be my charges in the classroom for the next year while two pre-school children also command attention. My task is to teach, inspire, entertain and encourage these children while their parents coordinate and oversee translation of the Bible into Oroko, a Bantoid language spoken in South West Province, Cameroon. This, for the person who wasn’t sure what she wanted to be when she grew up, only what she didn’t—a teacher. I’ve learned already that God has a sense of humour.

A fledgling linguist myself, I’m excited to work with the translation team. Though I won’t be directly involved in the translation project, it was that aspect of the mission which drew my interest to the point I committed.

The challenges facing me in the next year are exciting—terrifying if I start to think of them, so I leave them undefined and unanticipated. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Phil 3:14), my theme verse in Ukraine, may serve me well for the year ahead. I’m trusting God has a plan and will give me the strength to face each day as it unfolds and that I will learn each lesson He has in store.