Throughout my time as a Marketing and Communications Intern, I was charged with writing two blog posts. As an Enneagram 3, I wanted to write something that was moving but informative, intellectual but funny. As I took time to decide what to write, I heard about an Edify staff member in the Dominican Republic, Clara. Clara had attended a school before it began partnering with Edify and came on staff with Edify in 2021. She is currently a Christian Transformation and Training Officer (CTTO). I planned to interview Clara to shed some light on the change that Edify had generated within the schools. The story would highlight the transformation that Edify is enacting. I was eager to showcase all that Edify had done.
A Shift in Perspective
However, after talking with Clara, it was actually my definition of what transformation and success truly represented that was altered in writing this blog. Instead of having a grand sense of pride in Edify’s work, I was able to gain a greater sense of what glorifying the Lord looks like. This occurs even in the midst of success and finding joy in redirection along the way.
Clara’s Story
As we gathered together, I began by asking Clara questions about her education and work experience. Clara attended a prestigious school in the Dominican Republic for elementary and middle school. Due to family hardships, she had to transfer to a low-fee independent Christian school in order to complete high school. She wasn’t particularly excited at the prospect of attending the low-fee school. However, through this experience Clara’s character developed as she learned humility and contentment. Soon after, she started going to church with her mom, and came to fully understand the vision of the church and her new school. She now clearly sees the Lord’s hand throughout her whole educational story. She sees His guidance of her heart, finding joy in redirection as she saw how each turn was precisely planned.
After graduation, Clara became an assistant to the school secretary while also teaching English. It wasn’t until she started working at Edify that she realized Edify had been providing training, loans, and guidance for her school for several years!
As I asked questions that would allow me to point to the work of Edify, Clara continuously redirected the conversation. She couldn’t help but point toward the ways the Lord has been and will continue to work.
Clara exclaimed, “being able to see the change in the students is amazing. You know that they are receiving transformation not necessarily because Edify is working directly with them. It is because the teachers continue to be transformed, and the principals have been transformed [by the Gospel].”
Takeaways
Throughout the process of writing this blog, I have become acutely aware of the ways we can choose to celebrate and glorify the Lord rather than our own accolades. Ultimately, all of our successes are because they are according to His will and purpose. What a gift it is to be INVITED into His work and get to experience the magnificence of what He is doing!
That is the heart of Edify, ringing true through Clara’s story. Finding joy in redirection, in joining the Lord as we come alongside the ways that He is working all around the world.
Learn more about Edify’s work in the Dominican Republic here.