Nov 3, 2020 Myah finds her calling
The mission team arrived safely in Niquero, Cuba, and they worked together to prepare for the week’s evangelism meetings. They chatted and laughed, getting to know each other as they organized the supplies they’d brought. There are many excellent tools to help share Jesus on a mission trip, and it’s always fun for a team to get prepared to use them.
As they reviewed the team assignments, they discovered a slight glitch. The team was missing a leader for the children’s ministry at the Niquero church. The team leader knew that the children’s program is the heart of evangelism on a mission trip. The children bring the excitement and energy that help inspire the mission team, church members and the visitors themselves. The team knew a children’s leader is an essential role and vital to the meetings’ success. The team prayed for guidance.
Team member Myah was a high school senior and one of the youngest members of our group of volunteers assigned to Niquero. The children’s leaders at the other four sites on this mission trip were adults with years of leadership experience. Although Myah was already the assistant for the Niquero children’s program, taking over as the leader was a big responsibility requiring intensive preparation.
Not only that, managing hundreds of excited children who have a culture and language different from your own can be challenging even for experienced team members. Each night’s activities needed both setup and organization to run smoothly, engaging the children in the Bible stories and craft projects.
Myah was willing to do her best, but she was not entirely convinced that she was the right person to be in charge. She also knew that the team was praying for her and God would be with her. With very little time to prepare and virtually no experience, Myah stepped into the leadership position.
When God calls anybody to a special mission, He promises to go with them and provide whatever is needed to accomplish His task. This year, Myah was selected by Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA) as the recipient of the Caring Heart Award for Christian service. As noted by GLAA, Myah is a comforter, encourager and helper, placing the needs of others before her own, frequently volunteering to do the least desirable tasks. Her joyful heart and love for Christ are the perfect skills to bring to the children’s ministry, drawing the young people to her with kindness.
God had also provided Myah with a special agent to help ensure that the children’s program in Niquero was a success. Translator Ivis is a local church member who is a radiant Christian and humble child of God.
Ivis is also a much-loved English teacher in the local school whose former students spoke glowingly of her exceptional teaching ability. “When we were introduced to Ivis,” Maya shares, “She gave us a big smile and wrote down ‘Your friend Ivis.'” Myah and Ivis made an immediate connection, feeling more like old friends than new acquaintances working together.
On the first night of the evangelistic meetings, dozens of children crowded into the small, dim, dusty room designated for their use. Although each child had just a tiny amount of space, they were very eager to participate.
Myah set up the flannel storyboard. She and Ivis worked seamlessly together to present their Bible story, followed by a craft project. The children’s joy at learning about their Friend Jesus brought an irresistible atmosphere of heaven to each night’s program.
The team was called home a few days before the mission project could be completed. The impending closure of all international borders due to the pandemic required them to cut their trip short.
The night before they left, the children said a tearful goodbye to their teacher Myah and wished her God’s blessings. The next morning, Myah and her teammate Karren gathered with Ivis to say their goodbyes.
I’ve been thinking and praying about my future, Myah told them. I know what God is calling me to do. Each night, while she led the children’s program, it became more apparent: God was calling her to be a school-teacher.
The women celebrated the moment together as they bid each other farewell. Ivis remains a long-distance friend, sister and mentor whose encouragement and faith remind Myah of her experience in Cuba. Today, Myah is confidently studying to become a teacher so she can continue to share her love of Jesus with many more of His precious children.
Story told by
Karren Jensen
Teammember, Niquero, Cuba