My name is Gabriela. When people ask me why I decided to become a missionary, I don’t know how to explain or answer this question. What I know is what happened.

I graduated from law school. I decided not to be a lawyer and I started teaching English in Brazil. It was fine, I was happy, I had my life, it was ok, but something was missing. I didn’t know what. For some time I was praying and asking God, ‘What is it? Am I supposed to do this forever? Because I don’t know if I’ll be happy doing this forever, so you need to tell me.’

I had other friends who were already serving overseas and I started talking to them. They started sharing their experiences. I was like, ‘This seems much more interested than what I’m doing, but I’m still not sure.’

There was an opening in Egypt. I decided, well let’s see if I’m supposed to go, it will work out. In 15 days everything was done. Then I realized this was God telling me, “You have to change. You have to follow Me and give Me your life so I can give you what you need.” That’s how I became a missionary.

I came as an English teacher. I also help with the choir, Sabbath school, and Pathfinders.

Egypt is a very hot place. It’s a place, at least where the school is, we don’t have much green around, but the school has it. This is something that brings us some refreshment everyday. The space itself, the trees, the farm, and everything we have around us, I like it a lot.

I like the fact that we can always catch up with students and talk to them to see how they are doing. You can get to know them better. When I think about the highlights that I have experienced so far, there is something interesting.

For one day I got sick. It was the only day that I didn’t go to classes. In Brazil, when a teacher doesn’t come you get happy and you almost throw a party. Here, when you don’t go they come knocking on your door asking you, “Miss are you feeling better already? Are you coming tomorrow?” This was something very moving because you feel they really appreciate the fact that you are here.

When you are in the mission field it’s hard, it’s not easy. Usually when you see videos and people giving their testimonies, it’s just the good part of it and I can see that Jesus is still changing me. It’s a process that I don’t think will ever end. Every day He does something to me. Every day He teaches me something different. I believe the biggest thing He has done was giving me a mirror so I can look at myself. It’s a very painful process when you face yourself.

When I think about why we go through this process of being renewed and being transformed, I think that it’s because He is trying to save me, and He loves me. He chose this place to show me how much He loves me and how much He cares about me and how much He wants me to be with Him.

Somehow God provides me everything that I need. It’s the first time that I feel that I am actually doing what God wanted me to do. There is nothing more rewarding in life than to do what He wants you to do. I’m very happy to be here.

What I say to you if you want to come and join us in the ministry is that it’s the best thing you’re going to do. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be somehow painful, it’s going to teach you a lot, but it’s going to give you something that no other job will give you. With God as your boss.

So if you are thinking about it, my word for you is, “GO!” If you are thinking it’s because God has already called you and already chosen you, you just need to accept His invitation and His call.