How does a twenty-something year-old lass from the Land Down Under end up in Northern Madagascar to teach missionary children? Good question! The short answer is by just a few aeroplane flights!
Jennifer fishing in the Guinea River as a child
The long answer, or should I say, story, begins in West Africa. I spent ten precious years growing up in the country of Guinea where my parents were doing mission work in training pastors, going on evangelistic trips and supporting the local church. During this time we had a few ladies leave their jobs in Australia to support my mother in home-schooling me and my four siblings. These single ladies became like aunts to us, and their help to my parents was invaluable! All in all, this experience planted seeds that have resulted in me returning to Africa as an adult.
When our family returned to Australia in 2010, I didn’t have any concrete thoughts of doing any mission work. I assumed that God called people in some dramatic fashion. However, towards the end of my education degree, and through attending a Christian university conference, my perspective shifted. At the conference I heard of the great need for mission workers in the hardest places and how a 9-5 job would be advantageous to entering some of these countries. This need and opportunity struck me strongly and I was surprised that not more of my friends were motivated to do something like I was. Through one conversation there, I discovered I could support families who were serving in remote places, by teaching their children.
I began to seek whether I was feeling the pull towards missions based on my childhood upbringing or if it was God Himself guiding my steps. I felt that a short trip would be beneficial in discerning God’s direction and so I began to make enquiries. I thought that helping families with educating children would be a great way for me to help practically like those ladies had done for me in my family so many years ago.
Almost four years later, with university studies in the distant past and teaching experience under my belt, a friend put me in touch with Hopitaly Vaovao Mahafaly. Five months, four flights, three farewells, two church presentations, one passport and lots of prayer later, I arrived in Mandritsara!
My role here is to work with the missionary children so that it frees up the parents to work in a greater capacity for the project. The missionaries have specialist skills that contribute powerfully to the hospital and connected ministries.
Art Lesson
There are so many joys in my role that I couldn’t have imagined. One is the beautiful relationships that I am building with each of the children. I love teaching those who enjoy learning, who are curious about the world around them and who long to improve and grow. It’s a delight to hear them share their discoveries, to teach them a new game or to listen to their deep questions about life. It’s also the first time I’ve had a chance to teach and support children who’ve had a similar upbringing to my own. Because I have also been brought up in a different culture, there are times where I can relate to their experiences and be understanding.
Science Lesson
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows (although there are a lot of both here in Mandritsara). I am teaching families from Australia, England and Switzerland each with their own curriculum. It can be tricky to juggle the various expectations and switch gears in language. One minute I’m speaking Malagasy, the next I speak to a newcomer in French only to realise that they only speak English. Also, my role involves constant change where families are coming and going but I’m grateful that the community here is patient and kind as I learn to adapt.
What a blessing these last five months here have been! I praise God for bringing me to Mandritsara to work with the families. I look forward to the many more joys I will experience as well as receiving discernment on my mission journey moving forward.
Biology Lesson
Prayer Points
Pray for continued joy and blessing-filled relationships in and outside of the school room that I would continue to be a blessing and encouragement to the families.
Pray that God would continue to equip me with the energy, joy and ideas to bless and help the children in their learning and development.
Pray that God would help me to juggle the different needs of the children and families as I switch between curriculum and languages.
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DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!
Our Annual Prayer Day will take place at Trinity Road Chapel, London on the 12th April 2025