When I first landed in Uganda, I had no idea what teaching would look like.

I knew that I would have fewer students, limited resources, and shorter class times, but what I didn’t realize was that I would be so passionate about teaching here.

I didn’t realize that I would have students that were so full of grace and desiring so many opportunities for engaging learning.

I didn’t know that I was going to feel more comfortable in a classroom than I have ever felt and that I would feel so comfortable as a teacher here.

I truly feel like I am doing what God created me to do.

Teaching here hasn’t come without its challenges.

School looks different almost every day.

It all depends on if someone is sick, if the internet is out, or even if a student is having a tough day and just needs a moment to process.

And there are lots of little critters – like hairy caterpillars and even bigger animals like chickens and snakes that find their way to the school.

There was also that one time when the internet went out for what felt like forever.

Even my afternoons, which I use for planning, can be taken up by visitors wanting to greet me, daily tasks like cooking or laundry which take longer here or even just needing a good nap at the end of the day.

Because the school day is a little shorter, the kids and I have more time to make friendships and learn more about a culture different from our own.

The children get to play with other children who grow up differently but from whom they learn so much. They inspire me each day to continue to develop relationships here.

I get to learn a new language and learn adaptability and flexibility while building relationships.

When we come together for school, we get to talk about these things and share what we have learned.

We make connections with books that we read in ways that we might not be able to if we lived in America.

It’s so beautiful to see them learning so much from a young age.

I also get to see so many moments of my students outside of school.

I get to see a child learning to walk, kids learning to handle conflict, and even cross-cultural relationships.

I get to roast marshmallows with the kids on a random Tuesday night and have them over for a movie night.

I feel so loved by not only the children but the parents as well.

God has blessed me with so many opportunities for joy.

If you had told me 2 years ago that I would be teaching in a foreign country, in a rural location far from everything, and still feeling at peace and joyful, I would have thought you were crazy.

It doesn’t mean that it isn’t hard.

It doesn’t mean I’m not eaten up with mosquitos or breaking out into a rash and missing my family.

It doesn’t mean making cross-cultural relationships work isn’t hard, and it doesn’t mean that small tasks do not take so much more time.

It means that I am learning to trust God more.

I am looking for those small, sweet moments that remind me of Jesus.

God has provided meaningful relationships for me and has shown me that all I need is Him.

His love is more than sufficient.

Thank you, God, for calling me to a hard place to learn more about your deep love for me and showing me glimpses of your love through the children I teach.

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Serge missionary teams in D.R. Congo and Uganda urgently need missionary kid teachers! Would you or someone you know be a good candidate?  Take a moment to fill out our Go Form to begin a conversation with us.