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the traditional classroom on mission with students who need it
most in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. The mission trips are sponsored by
Project Hope, a non-profit organization started by the Cornerstone
Assembly of God in North Chesterfield, Virginia, for the purpose
of bringing practical aid and the Gospel to the community of Dire
Dawa. One particular aid provided by Project Hope: the teaching of
English and reading comprehension – directly in the center of Craig’s
wheelhouse of gifts – to Ethiopian children who wouldn’t be able to
continue schooling without such skills.
“Right at that moment my heart leaped out of my chest,” said Craig
recalling how she learned about being a part of the Project Hope
mission. “My heart was pounding, and I just heard God saying, ‘you,
you, you.’”
In fact, Craig has now travelled twice to Ethiopia for summer Project
Hope missions, serving children in the village of Gendetsfa. While
there, her team’s primary focus is to teach English as a second
language as it is necessary for the Ethiopian students to be able to
continue their schooling, which in turn greatly impacts their future.
“We held an English camp,” she said. “Students must pass a written
exam in English to continue beyond eighth grade. So, we taught
grades six through eight English and reading comprehension skills.”
In addition to teaching the students, Craig’s team hosted
professional development sessions for local teachers where they
shared successful teaching styles and practices for the classroom.
Throughout the whole process and in the face of great odds, she
said she learned to trust God even in ways that didn’t seem possible
and that a teacher can teach with just a small amount of supplies,
a classroom, and
a barely useable
chalkboard.
“Being in God’s
presence and seeing
Him work on the front
lines,” Craig said was
one of her favorite
parts of the mission
work. “It was miracle
after miracle. I have
never felt so close to
Him. It was tangible. It
is indescribable!”
Her love for what
she does mixed with
a love and desire to
serve changed her life
and forever changed
the lives of those she
teaches now at Ecoff
and those she taught in Ethiopia.
“I learned more from those children than I taught them,” said Craig.
“I love those children. I love those families and teachers. My heart
will be there forever.”
Story by BC student marketing associate Whitney Browning.
Sandra
Lima Argo (left), founder of Liaison America, with biology student
5
Through her teaching mission trips
abroad, alumna Beth McMillion Craig
says she has developed a great love
for the children of Ethiopia.