Are you ever amazed at how God uses various parts of your background and interests and brings those experiences into new situations in which he wants to use you and/or challenge you?
After working in administration ministry at my church for seven years until February of 2008, I wondered what God would have for me next as an outlet for my gifts and interests. Because of my background in linguistics and my training in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), I looked into volunteering at an ESL class at the local community centre but the program funding was cancelled and the class was discontinued.
Then an ESL opportunity came to me: I was asked to teach a class at Hazelglen Alliance Church here in Kitchener. The church is in a prime neighbourhood for new Canadians, many of whom can walk to the class. The leadership has a vision for ministry and is supportive of the group of volunteers who are involved. I came to see this opportunity as God-given.
Each Monday night, about a dozen students and a half dozen volunteers meet for two hours of English lessons and conversation. Friendship was our theme for the Fall and it seemed to strike a chord within both the students and the volunteers. We looked at some friendship proverbs and some Bible verses about friendship, discussed cultural aspects of language choices, and heard the students talk about friendship, and express gratefulness for the friendship of the volunteers in the ESL class.
One of those volunteers is Helen Oviedo, our favorite front-desk presence here at EBC. She felt drawn to volunteer at the ESL class at Hazelglen, her home church, for a Field Education credit as she works on her academic program. She didn’t quite know what to expect but met with the coordinator to discuss it and then was willing to give it a try.
She has found the experience to be much more than just a way to fulfill a Field Ed requirement. “I’ve been really stretched as I’ve listened to the students describing some of their beliefs and religious practices as we’ve discussed Canadian culture and holidays. It’s an opportunity to connect with non-Christians and I feel like I’m beginning to understand God’s heart for all the world. I think it’s cool how the lessons from my world mission class in the Fall semester tied together with this Field Ed placement.”
I see Helen using the gifts and abilities God has given her as she connects with the ESL students both during the class and outside of class hours, and I too have experienced great satisfaction in using my ability to contribute to the ministry of the Hazelglen volunteers who pour much time, service, and love into the class members. I don’t have great social skills – conversation has never been a forte, and generally I’d rather read a book than go out for coffee with someone. Fortunately, God provides people who love interaction (like Helen) to do that, and uses me to do what he’s gifted me for – stand in front of a classroom and talk about language! It’s extremely satisfying to see God use our gifts and personalities and coordinate them with others’ to present a well-rounded program. It’s what the body of Christ is about.
Whether you’re doing something for FE credit, or for pay, or purely for enjoyment, the sense of being part of what God is doing is amazing and rewarding. How wonderful that God uses us to accomplish his purposes!
-By Carol Blake
