MINDI, MALAWI

I’d been losing focus. I was getting frustrated about little things. I was having a hard time being encouraging and patient. Something had to change.

And it did, the very next day. Along with her crinkled coloring sheets and handwriting homework, my first-grader Anny pulled out a folded little note from her back pack. “My mom write this for you,” she said, handing it to me.

The note read:

Hellow madam Mindy. Really we are very very happy and pleased by you. Jack, Anny are doing excellent. So God is with you otherwise no one teach kids like you. God bless you. Thanks a lot.

This mother’s words affirmed how important prayer needs to be in my life. It opened my eyes to the happiness and joy that had always been seated in the little wooden school desks across from mine.

I’m grateful to my students for bringing to light the passion I have for teaching. The sense of purpose and joy I felt while volunteering helped determine my decision to study elementary education. I believe it’s extremely valuable to experience life from a new angle and outside your comfort zone. You’ll uncover truths about yourself, and learn how to fit in and give to this beautiful world we all share.

–Mindy

For more stories like this, check out Mission 360, where this story was originally published.