PROFILE
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. “Psalm 46:5
My name is Ethel A. Gimena. I am a Filipino citizen working in Rwanda with Kigali International Community School as Kindergarten teacher. I am originally from Sarangani Province, Philippines. I went to a remote primary school called G. E. Antonino Primary School; a High School called Kiamba National High School; and University of Baguio. This brief story elucidates my reasons for becoming a Missionary Educator. For almost 12 years, I am a Kindergarten school teacher. I am a Christian and a teacher from a very humble background. I believe that our God Almighty has called me to serve as a Missionary Educator and He has filled me with His vision for this role.
CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY BACKGROUND
Deep inside a remote rural village called Linek, I was born fourth to a family of four with two boys and two girls. My mum’s highest level of education was second year college in Education which she wasn’t able to finish university. My dad was a fisherman while my mother was a housewife who did small scale of being a manicure and pedicure specialists in our village. My dad died when I was only 4 years old leaving us with just mum to take care of all 4 of us.
FAMILY LIFE WITH MUM
“Life ahead seems bleak and dark my children but God has a way for us”. These were the words of my hopeless God fearing mother. We lived on a “hand to mouth” basis after my dad died and sometimes there was no food to put on the table. I used to sell “yema candy” (it’s a milk candy) at school. We lived in a small nipa house with a rusty-leaking roof; water would leak right on us when it rained. We took porridge without sugar (just salt), vegetables without oil or soy sauce (“Bulanglang” dish) and food was generally hard to come by. Life was not promising; the future was dark, no relative could support us because it was the same story in the entire village. We lived in hopelessness, but mom encouraged us that God Almighty had predestined our destiny; she was a great source of inspiration to us. Mom was a hard worker, she didn’t give up, and she struggled till the day when I could stand on two feet. Because of our situation that we have had, she needed to remarry again.
EDUCATION
I joined the University of Baguio in 1998 to pursue a Bachelor Degree in Education. With my grades from high school, I could have opted for a Bachelor Degree course in Commerce, and other highly regarded courses, which tend to pay better, but I decided to go for an Educational Degree BECAUSE OF THE INSPIRATION FROM MY EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE. In College, I worked in the morning and studied in the afternoon. I wanted to become a teacher so that I could inspire and transform young students. I graduated from the University of Baguio in 2002 as Dean’s Lister.
JOB AFTER STUDIES
I got my first contract job at Cypress Christian School, Baguio City. My second teaching experience was at Small World Christian School. Then, I went back home and moved to Mindanao and taught Kindergarten at Davao Christian High School. After 4 years of teaching Kindergarten in Davao City, God had placed an impression in my heart to go for a mission. He, then, opened the door for me to go to Cambodia. My Cambodia experience was a preparation for me before I considered to come to Rwanda.
In August 2016, I embarked on an exciting, challenging, new chapter in my life...MISSIONS in Africa: My life as a Missionary Educator to Rwanda. While it's exciting, it will also be a very challenging time, so lots of prayer will be required! Currently, I’m working at Kigali International Community School (KICS). This is where my passion is being fulfilled after a long search. Over the past years I have been burdened with the desire to be in direct contact with and serve African children.
When I was in Grade 2, I had the desire to become a Missionary in Africa. God answered this prayer when He brought the Director of KICS Mr. Ben Thomas and his family into my life. Ben and his family serve as missionaries in a Rwandan community. This family has touched my life as they have shown to me the character of Christ in and through them. They pursued me to come to Rwanda. It is indeed a privilege to be given such opportunity. I decided to take up the responsibility to come and serve putting down all my other personal demands and expectations. Now, I am happily serving and getting enough experience in serving together with the powerful team at KICS.
As you know that I was supposed to go to China after my mission in Cambodia. But God has a different plan. It is indeed a dramatic switch! Once again, I can see I was being tested to live out the faith of Abraham, following God without knowing the destination. Praising God that He has given me assurance about my identity in Christ and that I am where He's called me and I'm praying that He will supply all my needs for support, etc. and will help me thrive in the challenges here. I am so amazed and can't contain the joy I have felt for the blessings He has given me that I am here in Kigali, Rwanda.
I already have started the biggest adventure of my life. The Lord has overwhelmed me with His provision and blessings. My prayer is, and will continue to be, that the Lord will be glorified through this whole process… start to finish! Thank you for joining me as the Lord guides my steps in Rwanda!