Study Abroad and Missions | Calling Story with Nichole DeBruin, Kylie Stancliffe, and Abby and Zeke Esteban (Ep. 213)

Studying abroad and serving missionally can go hand in hand! From the vibrancy of Ecuadorian dancing to the incense of Buddhist temples, TeachBeyond members share how their study abroad experiences exposed them to missions and helped them discern a calling to pursue teaching overseas.

• Zeke and Abby studied abroad with Living and Learning International
• Nichole student taught abroad with STAGE (Interaction International)
• “It gave me ‘family’ in another culture and another location, and I think people are [...] what you hold onto the most with study abroad.” - Zeke 
• “That’s the difference [from] if you are just going on vacation or if you do a semester at sea and you’re bouncing around to all of these different places. With study abroad, you’re living somewhere, and that makes all of the difference in the world.” - Abby
• “God, open my eyes and break my heart for what breaks Yours; help me to see and speak into things as You see fit.” - Kylie
• “When I studied abroad, God really confirmed in my heart that yes, missions is something [He was] inviting me into.” - Kylie
• “Go in with an open mindset and hands open to what the Lord has for you overseas – and when you come back, what your next steps look like.” - Nichole
• “There’s going to be something that is difficult or inconvenient because you are not living in your home country and most likely not speaking your language. So, [lean] into that because I believe that that is where the Lord is going to grow you in that pressing. It feels hard, but then it turns into something beautiful and the Lord develops and grows you in a beautiful way.” - Nichole
• “I know that He’s with me and He sees me, even when people back home don’t or when people here don’t see what I’m feeling emotions towards back home, He ‘gets’ all my areas of life, all of the countries I’ve been to, He understands all of it.” - Nichole
• “This is uncomfortable, but I’m going to say yes and I’m going to do it [...] Be mindful of being open to the ‘yes’ and being open to what God has for you because some of the sweetest memories are in those moments.” - Abby
• “We want to see this place and really live here.” - Zeke
• “God has created all of these cultures that are so beautiful and so unique, and [we get] to experience them and see His heart for those people.” - Kylie
• “Where has God given gifts in this culture? Try to open your eyes to God’s heart for the world and for those people as you’re there, even in the things that are uncomfortable.” - Kylie

Learn more about the schools where these members are serving! 

• Nichole serves at GDQ International School, Albania
• Kylie serves at Grace International School, Thailand
• Abby and Zeke serve at El Camino Bilingual School, Honduras

What’s changing our lives:

• Keane: Having neighbor friends
• Heather: Pray the Word with David Platt podcast
• Abby: Getting a keyboard
• Zeke: Disciplines of a Godly Man book
• Kylie: The BEMA podcast
• Nichole: Reading The Chronicles of Narnia before bed instead of scrolling

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