An Alumna Profile: Serving the Lord With Gladness
Aurora Whitehead graduated from HDCH in June 2023. She deferred her university acceptance for one year in order to answer a call to teach in a rural part of South Africa. We interviewed her in the Spring about her experience. She continued her service there until June, and is now in her first year at Trinity Western in BC, where she hopes to qualify as a teacher in four years. Her answers here give us a lovely insight into what it means to live a life of service to God.
Aurora, can you tell us a little bit about where you are and what you’re doing there?
I am currently on Alpha Farm in Ladybrand, South Africa, a small area in the Free State right next to the border of Lesotho. I have been here since late July of 2023 and will come home in late June of 2024. I have been teaching middle school children who live on Alpha Farm and some surrounding farms. I have taken over the Bible, English, and Math classes for 6-8 students from grades 3-6. I have also gotten involved in the worship team for the church on the farm.
What has been the most challenging part of this experience for you?
I have struggled greatly with the language barrier between me and most people on the farm including my students and the other teachers. When I arrived very few of my students could be considered fluent in English but now, after not being able to converse with me in any languages besides English, they have all greatly improved. I have also picked up on a little bit of Sesotho.
What have you enjoyed most about this experience?
Although I love my students and I love teaching, I think I have most enjoyed getting to know everyone here. The family that I have been staying with has been so welcoming that I will always consider them as my South African family. It will be very difficult not knowing when I will see them again. I have also loved being part of the worship team and learning plenty of new non-English songs.
How did HDCH prepare you for this year in South Africa?
I had three very influential role-models on the HDCH staff who spoke into my life and made me want to become a teacher. As I have worked with these kids I have been able to be to them what I had from my teachers. Most of all I have been able to share God’s love with them the way I was shown God’s love. I am very thankful also that this opportunity was presented to me by Mr. Todd. God used the people around me at HDCH to train me on how to be a good teacher and to bring me to South Africa.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your experience?
God is so good to people who give everything they have to him. I have especially seen this with Lisa van der Linde as she does God’s work running the farm, the school and her home. She is always quick to say that this is God’s farm and she is just a steward. Miracles have happened on this farm because of the overwhelming devotion to God. I am coming back to Canada soon and don’t know what God has in store for me.
My prayer for myself and for everyone else in the Body of Christ is that we will be able to give our lives to God and trust Him to provide for us as I have seen time and time again on this farm, God’s farm.
How have you experienced God’s presence this year?
God’s presence is seen everywhere on the farm. There has been theft, but God always provides. People here go through difficult times but God comforts. For me I have felt Him move as I have worked with my students. Many of these children have grown closer to God in the past year and I have been blessed to support them through it. I have also felt God as I have prepared to come home. I am still looking for a summer job and I have been seeking His guidance. I know that He brought me here for a reason and He will provide for me where He wants me to be next.
What do HDCH parents say about the school mission?
“HDCH students continuously learn about leading a Christian life, caring for and appreciating the world around them, and caring for others. Love, joy, patience and kindness flow throughout the school.
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students learn to live a life of service to God.
Several courses require students to complete community betterment projects such as making park benches or little free libraries, help local food banks, etc.
The annual mission trip is so impactful and life changing, where students serve others humbly in love. The students support each other and appreciate the unique gifts and abilities that we all have.
There is no other school that we would consider for our son.”
Beverly Petherem, Member of HD’s Contract Partnership Committee, HDCH Parents
