My Background
While serving in the public school, I have taught my students the value of citizenship and service; students served by cleaning parks, serving at nursing homes, cleaning at a women's shelter, filling food baskets for local food pantry, and providing clothes for Haitian earthquake survivors. God has shown me that my goal as a teacher is to call out the gifts that I see in my students. For God declares that, "He knows the plans that He has for them- plans to bless them and to prosper, and not to harm them" (Jerermiah 29:11).
I hold a bachelor’s degree in English and French from Austin College and a master’s degree in folklore from Western Kentucky University. I hold both a doctorate in Performance Studies and a graduate certificate in African Studies from Northwestern University. My twenty-year teaching experience in college and public school education, not only gives me a keen grasp of the necessary strategies and tools new teachers need, but allows me to feel comfortable teaching younger and second-career teachers.
I believe that before going abroad to share the gospel, I must share the Good News at home. While living with my parents, I knocked on every door in the two subdivisions over the course of three years, mostly by myself. In every state or country where I have resided, God has given me a particular assignment. I usually had a children's and or elder-care ministry.
Mostly, I would go door-to-door to share the gospel or share teachings bi-weekly lessons with young children, or share the gospel and provide physical support to elderly persons whether in Kentucky, Texas, or Illinois. For awhile, I had a children's dance troupe named "Praise Exultation;" we routinely visited nursing homes, homeless shelters, as well as; performed for church and mission functions for five years.
I have served in YWAM-Richmond where I completed Discipleship Training Program; later, I worked with YWAM-Tyler with Arts with a Mission. In addition, I served this January in Brazil with YWAM-Richmond teaching English to missionaries and professionals. I recently completed two international missions trips to Kenya and Nicaragua.
Now, I am ready for the next step in the path God has created for me: to begin building an all-girls schools in Africa and other Third World nations. The plan for this visual and performing arts school has taken shape in my mind. I know that God must lead me and provide for this venture. He has never failed me yet.
Here we go. I am off to build schools.
MJ
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