160: Resilient Educators (with Steshire Buyinza and Ellen Kujawski)

Persevering through difficult seasons often brings new perspectives on God’s faithfulness and provision. In this episode, two school leaders - Steshire Buyinza in Uganda and Ellen Kujawski in the Dominican Republic - share about their experiences pioneering in establishing new schools and how they have seen God at work amidst challenges. Don’t miss the special 70th anniversary story from TeachBeyond’s first teacher!

• Learn more about Arbor Christian Academy ( serve | give | follow ), Butambala Christian Learning Center ( learn | give | follow ), and Black Forest Academy ( serve | give | follow )
• “We started this school out of the need that we saw in the community for young people to have something that they could do and feel like they mattered in the community - but as well, preach Christ to them, preach the living hope to them, give them the love of Christ, for them to know that they are loved, they are not alone.” - Steshire Buyinza
• “Is this where God has called us? Is this what we’re supposed to be doing? And He just over and over affirmed that, ‘Yes, I have called you to San Francisco.’” - Ellen Kujawski
• “We didn’t want to be the people who came in with our vision of what we thought a school should be. We really wanted to be sure that it reflected the needs and desires of the local community.” - Ellen Kujawski
• “I have learned that God is good and He is good. I have learned that when you trust God, everything is possible.” - Steshire Buyinza
• “What I have really learned from persevering through these difficult things is that God is faithful.” - Steshire Buyinza
• “It’s so easy for us to forget the things that God has done because in the moment they are such big concerns, and then I’m learning to celebrate when God does meet those needs instead of just moving on to the next concern.” - Ellen Kujawski
• “This all belongs to God. He is the one who called you and He is faithful [...] This is His work. Whatever we are doing, it is all for His glory.” - Steshire Buyinza
• “You’re not alone. You’re not the only one who is facing these kinds of situations.” - Ellen Kujawski
• “You’re doing a great job. God has trusted you as a vessel to reach out to these children, to reach out to these young people. May God bless you.” - Steshire Buyinza

What’s changing our lives:

• Heather: New routines with shorter days
• Ellen: Raising a 15-month-old
• Steshire: Reading through the book of Genesis with her students

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Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/