Spire Spring 2017

a classroom, and a barely useable chalkboard.

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,

“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.

Through her teaching mission trips abroad, alumna Beth McMillion Craig says she has developed a great love for the children of 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