Many of the schools in the Guam-Micronesia Mission are reliant on volunteer staffing to survive. Therefore, the following opportunities need to be filled urgently. If you know of someone willing and able to serve in any one of these capacities, please forward this message to them and encourage them to apply. For a list of all openings, click here.
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ESL Teacher, Jan 2, 2023-Dec 30, 2023, Bahia Adventist College, Brazil
Music Teacher, ASAP-May 31, 2023, Delap SDA School, Marshall Islands
Principal, ASAP-May 31, 2024, Delap SDA School, Marshall Islands
Principal, ASAP-Jun 30, 2024, Kosrae SDA School, Micronesia
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Through Their Eyes: Chuuk, Micronesia |
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Living Testimony
By Fhine Lagumbay
Fhine Lagumbay candidly shares her experience of teaching at the Chuuk SDA School, in Chuuk Micronesia, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“You don’t know how to teach! I don’t understand why the school allows younger people like you, without a Master’s degree, to teach the kids! You are not a teacher!”
Ma’am, your son did something wrong; it wasn’t fair for the others who were trying their best to do what was right.”
“You know what? My son learned all this bad stuff here in your school. He is not like this at home. No one in our family messes with anyone else.”
“I’m sorry about that Ma’am, but in our classroom the students know their rules and consequences.”
“He is not learning anything from you!”
“I am sorry Ma’am, if you are disappointed.”
“Yes, I am! How old are you? How long have you been teaching?”
“Twenty-six years old Ma’am, and I’ve been serving for almost 3 years.”
“I have been a teacher for 30 years. You are not a teacher! You know what? I might pull out my son from this school,” the mother said as she walked out of the room.
To an educator, those words could be damaging to one’s self-esteem.
These words kept bothering me for about a week. They hurt me so much! I felt like I had disappointed God. I felt like I wasn’t good enough, and all that I’ve been doing was just a waste. As a Christian Educator we are not just teaching the students academically, but we are also molding the students’ characters to be pleasing in God’s sight. I started doubting myself, I questioned whether God is still pleased with me. But
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Me with some students at our year-end party with all the student at Chuuk SDA School. |
During one of our dental missions to one of the other islands of Micronesia, we got a sip of fresh coconut juice. |
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Reach North America
By Ernest Hernandez
Over the next few weeks/months our plan is to hire three employees with very unique skills. These hires will be needed to enhance the work of the Office of Volunteer Ministries and to redouble our efforts to “reach North America”. These three positions are: the Taskforce Coordinator, the Tutoring and Mentoring Coordinator and the Recruiting and Marketing Specialist. While our office has historically been known for sending more than 80% of our missionary volunteers to places outside our division, it has also become clear (as we see a daily influx of immigrants and refugees) that the world is coming to us. Along with growing population centers troubled by increased poverty, increased violence and moral decay… our great division, under God’s grace, has become a mission field. In the next few monthly updates, we will be introducing each of these three specialists and how their roles will help reach North America with the good news of hope and wholeness.
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Ernest Hernandez is the Director of the North American Division Office of Volunteer Ministries. |
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God Works In Mysterious Ways
By Effie Agwa
Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and bring you into
the place I have prepared, Exodus 23:20.
When I took my first job as a teacher, I was too excited to even ask about the job description and other details. I just took it and went back home thanking God for answering my prayers. I reported to work on a Wednesday and my woes started the following Sabbath morning. One of the conditions at my new workplace was that I had to work on Saturday—something I had failed to ask when signing the contract. I was getting ready to go to church when I received a call from the Principal asking me why I was not in school. Luckily my neighbor who was also a colleague had not left for school yet, so I asked her to cover some of my classes as I planned to cover hers on Sunday or any other day that she wanted, as long as it would not be on a Sabbath. She agreed to our arrangement, earning me the permission to attend church.
The following Friday, I chose to ask for permission early enough but the principal was not around so I went to the deputy principal’s office and she was thrilled to see me. She told me that
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Photo credit: Effie Agwa. |
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Virtual Run/Walk Event
Join runners, walkers, and movers from across North American in a virtual 5K designed to energize, encourage, and remind us that we are MADE TO MOVE! You choose the time and location. Individuals and groups are welcome. Register by September 5 to receive your t-shirt by race day and don’t forget to report your time for a chance at Category Winner! LEARN MORE
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