I started looking for opportunities to serve abroad, as a volunteer, when I was only sixteen.

I was so excited by the idea of serving abroad but realized that probably wouldn’t be the case for a few years. Nevertheless, I enjoyed looking at the call descriptions on the Adventist Volunteers Service (AVS) website and imagining what it would be like to teach abroad as a missionary.

When I started university, however, I forgot all about that. My mind quickly turned to what I would do after graduating and mission endeavors were not a priority. However, I took a break from my final-year studies to do mission work in India for a month. Although I had a wonderful experience, I was still certain a long-term opportunity wasn’t part of the plan.

At the age of 22, as I looked for graduate jobs, I realized my ideal job would be one that left me enough free time to be active in ministry outside of work. I was keen to be more involved in my local community. As I reflected on this, I realized that I was basically describing an AVS call!

I looked for opportunities on the AVS website and applied for a teaching position at Malang Adventist Academy. My application was approved, and I left Manchester, England, for Indonesia exactly one day after my 23rd birthday. Without question, this is the best ‘gift’ I’ve ever given myself!

My experience in Indonesia was challenging in the best of ways. Though there were many ups and downs, my time at Malang Adventist Academy was absolutely the best year of my life.

The school welcomes students from all denominations and faiths and is truly making a difference in the lives of their students. For example, one of my students, who came from a Sunday-keeping background, is now a baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church because of his experience at the school. Moreover, I was happily surprised when a Muslim student signed up for a Pathfinder camping trip, even though he knew it would include many worship services over the three-day event. He gladly participated and enjoyed it! I enjoyed contributing to the spiritual lives of all my students by sharing my testimony, leading devotions, and encouraging them to pray.

Through it all, I learned so much about myself and God. I’m grateful for awesome colleagues and a church community that were incredibly loving and caring from the beginning. Malang will always feel like a second home to me.

If mission work is something you are interested in, then I would highly recommend applying through AVS. The mandatory Preparation for Mission course is an excellent resource to ensure that all potential missionaries are ready for what lies ahead.

 Adapted from the tedNews website, https://ted.adventist.org/news/a-missionary-at-last/.