By Lindsay Robinson | Echo
Most students begin college struggling with the decision of what major they want to declare. When Taylor alumna Jessica Hussey began her Taylor journey as a freshman, she knew what she wanted to do and where she wanted to live-the question that remained was how she was going to get there.
Six years later, Jessica Hussey works in Jos, Nigeria, at Hillcrest School. She teaches a classroom of fourth grade students consisting of four different nationalities including Korean, Canadian, American and Nigerian.
"I really felt the Lord calling me back to this continent. I don't know if this is where I will be forever, but I definitely felt the Lord calling and just making a way for me (to) come back," Hussey said.
During high school, Hussey went on several missions trips to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. She fell in love with Africa and its people.
She decided to attend Taylor because it offered an elementary education program that would allow her to student teach in Africa. During the second half of her senior year, she began student teaching at Hillcrest.
At the end of her time there, the principle offered her a teaching position, which she gladly accepted.
Hillcrest is run by a collaboration of eight missionary organizations and provides education to children of missionary families and those in the surrounding area. Although her classroom is diverse, Hussey loves being able to see and share the love of Christ with her students and coworkers.
"That's been a huge blessing, just being able to be around Nigerian culture (and) getting to see the global body of Christ," Hussey said. "To me that's such a beautiful thing when you get to see all these people from all these different tribes and nationalities and they all come together. . . . You really just get a glimpse of God's heart."
Although it was hard to say goodbye to her family and life in the U.S., she knew it was the right time to go back to the country she had fallen in love with in high school.
"You definitely miss your family at times," Hussey admitted. "It makes it a lot easier that my family is so supportive and so encouraging."
Ever since making that decision, she has been continually blessed by the doors that have opened for her in Africa. Not only is she teaching, but she also works with other educators to build peace and trust in Jos, Nigeria.
"Jos is on a dividing line between Christians and Muslims. In years past there has been a lot of conflict and political unrest and mistrust between the different groups. One of the biggest blessings is being able to work and build up the trust between Christians and Muslims," Hussey said.
Despite the cultural tensions and differences, Hussey claims that Hillcrest school looks a lot like any elementary school in the U.S.
"Even though you have a lot of different nationalities present, in a lot of ways they are into similar things that kids in the states would be interested in. They love games and toys and just being goofy together," Hussey explained.
While there are similarities with life in America, Nigeria has its own unique culture and learning the nuances of a different culture can be challenging.
"In a completely foreign place, you are going to make blunders, you are going to offend people. And so that can be challenging, too, but there is a lot of grace in that. People are really gracious," Hussey said.
One part of her job that she takes very seriously is the impact her actions have on her students.
"I mean just making sure in my classroom that I am representing God and who He is to students and showing all of the fruits of the spirit to them even when I might want to lose my patience or be at my wits' end. You definitely have to rely on the Lord a lot in teaching. And that's a great thing but also a huge challenge," Hussey said.
Hussey says that the best part of her job is the people that she works with, especially the children.
"Soccer is huge here," Hussey explained. "Nigeria is going to the World Cup. A lot of my students spend a lot of time playing fútbol . . . a lot of time."
Her experiences teaching in Nigeria have shown her what the term servant leadership means.
"If you serve the people around you and you care about them and you want them to succeed and you're humble about what you're doing and you're just trying to show them Jesus in your actions, that speaks volumes for leadership," Hussey said.
Ultimately, the ability to show the love of God regardless of cultural differences is what Hussey finds most rewarding. It is a global Christian community that she experienced even during her time at Taylor.
"We are a Christian school, so getting to do our Bible time is really special. Getting to worship together is really cool. It's just a really cool glimpse of what heaven is one day going to be like," Hussey said.
Hussey admits that trusting in a calling is not an easy task, but assures that it is worth the risk and uncertainty.
"A lot of lessons I have been learning is just God's sovereignty in everything. . . . It's just been a huge blessing to get to see it and how clearly he opens doors and closes them," Hussey explained. "I know we can freak out about what we are going to do next, but God really does have a plan and if you are willing to listen to the call, He's not going to let you miss that plan."
For now, following his plan means teaching fourth grade at Hillcrest, a job she sees as daily blessing. For more information about Hillcrest School and its application process, visit its website.
