In the NOV/DEC/JAN 2014–2015 edition of the Proclaimer, we shared a story about an SBCV church member who began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at her church. Through that ministry, she built a relationship with Kim*, a Central Asian believer, whose husband and family were not yet Christians. Over the course of time and their continued friendship, Kim invited her ESL teacher to join her on a trip to her home country to help her share the Gospel with her unbelieving family.
God continues to do such an amazing work through this ESL teacher, and we wanted you to enjoy reading in her own words how the journey continues.
“‘If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land’ (Isaiah 1:19). This promise from God has proven true in my life, especially this past year, after spending six months in an Asian country! This came after God gave me a willingness and obedience to go across the world as a volunteer and teach English as a Second Language (ESL)! From one Asian couple attending an ESL class in my church, God opened doors for me to spend one month in their city sharing the Gospel, then recently six months, and now I’m preparing to return for one year.
“The last six months were spent sharing Jesus with everyone I met, living life there as I do here. God enabled me to meet people in restaurants, subways, on streets, in schools, and places where I lived. With each one, God gave me the opportunity to tell my story and then share the Gospel. Many heard about Jesus for the first time! One woman said she had heard about Jesus but was waiting for someone to come help her know more. How blessed I was to see her big smile when I told her God sent me to help her! She later professed Jesus as her Savior!
“God provided [ways] for me to volunteer in many varied capacities, which enabled me to share the Gospel. Because of the ESL training SBCV provided here, which afforded teaching opportunities there, I was able to interact with all ages—kindergartners to adults. God especially opened doors with university students and young adult couples. I also had the privilege of ministering to ‘Ms’ (missionaries) and ‘MKs’ (missionary kids).
“God took one bad situation and turned it for good! Some MKs worked hard to plan a summer English camp; however, no one showed up! God led us to prayerwalk in place of holding the camp. The result—we met some students and shared a little with them. It was a divine appointment. The next day, one of the students and her friend met us for lunch. There (at a Buddhist restaurant) we shared our stories and the Gospel. Both girls prayed that day to receive Jesus as their Savior. They brought more friends as we continued to meet together, and some of them received Christ.
“God gave me the ‘best from the land’ by providing protection for me when I was lost, providing living places, providing friends to help me along the way, and by providing guidance in leading others to Christ. I had the added blessing of laboring/fellowshipping with our workers there and assisting local national believers. I never knew what each day would bring, but God always provided an abundance of joy as He brought people for me to tell about Jesus!
“In May 2016, I will return for one year. God is again allowing me to ‘eat the best from the land,’ as my role will be to help believers there prepare for cross-cultural ministry by teaching them English! I do not know what else is ahead for me in this next year, but I am excited for what God will do with ‘willingness and obedience’!”
*Name changed.
To find out more about English as a Second Language, visit sbcv.org/esl.
