Use your god-given Talents and Professional skills to make an impact for the gospel

“In the last ten years, my roles have changed a lot. What I love most about all my roles has been serving the Lord alongside fellow believers who love Him and His people. I’ve had the opportunity to direct choirs and bands with talented students, meet with ministry partners who desire to pray for and financially support the school, and travel around Asia and the USA representing the school.

Through these things I have been blessed to meet many wonderful people. Faith Academy is more than a school or even a ministry; it is a small sample of heaven!”

“On my first day in the Philippines, July 16, 1990, there was a massive earthquake in northern Luzon. In Baguio City, where I was going to be working, more than 2,000 people died as buildings collapsed. There are three main roads that lead to the mountainous city and it took a week to get one of them open. So the first time I saw Baguio, it was a disaster — all of the major hotels had collapsed and they were still digging bodies out of the rubble.

There were continual aftershocks (more than 1,000 by the end of August), food was hard to find, and most people were living outdoors in tents: in front of their own houses, in the park, and along the streets. Eventually, the city was cleaned up and I ended up living there for 22 years.

People have asked me if I ever considered just getting back on the plane and going home, but it truly never occurred to me. God called me to the Philippines, so why would I leave just because it was difficult? Maybe this initial experience–seeing God work and heal and save after the earthquake–helped me see all future difficulties in the same light, and I really do; when something hard or tragic happens, I’m always watching for how God might use it (and me) to accomplish something good.”

“My full name is Hasinirina Boulter, but most of you know me as Coach Hasina. I serve in the Aquatic Department and this school year, I have begun teaching Elementary PE. It is with joy that I serve our Lord and you here!

I was born in Madagascar, where I lived until I was 19 years old. Most people only know Madagascar from the movie! While we do have cool wildlife – the only natural habitat of lemurs, the world’s smallest chameleon, and the baobob tree – it’s also the fourth largest island in the world – a very dry island in the Indian Ocean settled by Malay and African people – which is why I am frequently mistaken for a Filipina! Then I moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, and so many new things. A new language, a new climate (deserts, wetlands, grasslands, bush, subtropical forests, mountains and escarpments!), food, and friends!

By simple definition, I don’t fit into the ‘Third Culture Kid’ category. But have you considered the actual definition of a TCK? This is what I found: ‘A TCK is an individual who has spent a significant portion of his/her formative years in a culture that is different from their parents. Someone who builds relationships to all cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.’

I can relate to the information above, and that helps me relate to students and adults here! Juggling the number of cultures that I have been privileged to experience can be challenging at times, however it enriches my life. I am glad and honored to be part of Faith Academy family and community as we experience and find joy in these different cultures together.”

“It may sound cliche, but my favorite thing about teaching Kindergarten are the students. They make waking up at 3:45 in the morning worth it – or at least 95% of the time. The students are always very excited to learn and hold nothing back. You would not believe some of the things that come out of their mouths. To them the world is a wonderment and every thing is a new amazing experience. I only hope to find such excitement in the little things!”