My program at Ambrose University College gave me the opportunity to do an internship overseas, which I did in the Middle East.

God had so clearly designed this opportunity for me. The team I worked with was starting Community Development initiatives in areas affected by the 2005 earthquake.  A main focus was on training teachers and developing curriculums in five Muslims schools in the area. I grew up in Japan and had a lot of previous experience in teaching English and coming up with new material. I was confident in passing on these abilities, which allowed me to develop relationships with the teachers and students at the 5 schools. I fell in love with the children, and was amazed by how they lived; on quite cold days, some children would come without socks or shoes and had no sweaters. I was humbled by how much I had and yet I was unable to love and serve in the ways that I saw in this culture.

I knew nothing about how to behave in a Muslim culture and it was sometimes hard to be restricted as a woman. I disliked feeling like a helpless child; I did not know language or culture and was being told what to do and how to act all the time. God used this to humble my heart and draw me closer to Him in dependence. As I studied the language, I made friends with local believers in the village who helped me to practice my Urdu and with whom I developed friendships and encouraged them in their faith. My heart was broken for the majority of the country that believes in a lie and does not follow the Lord. God used this experience to remind me of my passion for children and teaching, and to call me to minister to the poor and oppressed and proclaim the Light in unreached places.