Megan Johnston reflects upon her gap year in Argentina
Megan Johnston from Lisburn Cathedral reflects upon her gap year with SAMS in Argentina.
I spent nine months of my gap year in Salta, Northern Argentina as a volunteer with SAMS Ireland. I was based in a local Church called “El Redentor” where I was a leader of the children’s Bible study club. I participated in the weekly youth group and worked as the Pastor’s secretary. I taught in private and public schools helping as a language assistant, which you can imagine really opened up my eyes to the extremes in society. I had my own English classes, which were a real blessing during my time in Salta as I have no teaching qualifications, although it was encouraging to experience God’s hand at work. Please pray for my students as they still continue with my online English classes, that they would have an open mind to learn.
My time in Salta was significant as I learnt many things such as relying wholeheartedly on God. It was also character building and an opportunity to learn things about myself. Having made life-long friends and extended family in Argentina, I know that if God calls, one day I will return to Salta, it would also be exciting to see how much the people have developed and strengthened not only in their faith but also as a Church body. This is my prayer.
Red Box Project
CORE AIMS
• Support children’s and youth work
• Resource leadership training
• Develop language skills
• Facilitate the soup kitchen
• Enable educational sponsorship
God calls and sends us into our communities to participate in His mission. It demands identification without loss of identity: it means going beyond our comfort zones and entering other people’s stories, as Christ entered ours.
