Faith leads Beckham to Asia

By Charleston Southern on November 11, 2010 - 11:11 am in Serving / no comments

Brittany Beckham has never been to Asia. In fact, just weeks before she graduated with a degree in history last May, Asia was nothing more than a blip on the world map, making the country an unlikely destination in the future.

Beckham already had a plan: finish her senior internship at Charles Towne Landing, graduate college and return home to work in a state park.

With graduation just weeks away and the future hanging in the balance, God stepped in and revealed his plan during a campus visit by Shawna Spratt from East West Ministries International and spoke to CSU students about teaching opportunities in East Asia.

Teaching … in East Asia?

“My mom always said I was going to be a teacher,” said Beckham. “I said, ‘Mom, I’m not going to be a teacher. I don’t think that is what the Lord has for me.’”

After listening to Spratt’s testimony and invitation to apply, Beckham began praying about the opportunity. She said her heart was always pulling her toward missions. She began feeling that tug again but wanted to be sure this was God’s will, not her own.

With the deadline approaching, Beckham returned home in hopes of getting her parents’ blessing before officially applying; she received more than that.

“Brittany, you’re only ours for a time,” her mother told her. “We knew that God only gave you to us for a time.”

“They were so supportive of me going but said they were sad I was leaving,” Brittany said. “They would not want me to be here and out of God’s will.”

Beckham returned to CSU and applied with East West. Then just days before graduation, Beckham received the news that she had been accepted into the program.

“It was the best graduation present I would receive,” she said. “I’m really excited. It’s a fun place to be when you’re doing what God has called you to do.”

In an e-mail to Dr. Jairy C. Hunter she thanked the president and the University writing:

For the last four years CSU has been a huge part of my life. CSU not only gave me an amazing education, but it helped me grow in my walk with the Lord. I left CSU loving our God more than when I entered CSU. For that I am eternally grateful. CSU equipped me spiritually as well as academically to enter into a thriving world.

Beckham will be teaching Asian college students, mostly between the ages of 18 and 21, to speak English. “How am I going to teach kids English with a Southern accent?” Beckham laughed.

She coordinated a small group of CSU students, mostly education majors, who offered advice on teaching the students through interaction. East-West Ministries International also provided a week-long training program to discuss cultural differences. Beckham will learn the language through courses at the university where she will be teaching.

Beckham did confess to being anxious, entering a new country with different values, language and cultural barriers. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, but if God has called you to something, He will equip you,” she said. “I am trusting that the Lord will provide and help me along the way.”

Beckham said she has prepared herself mentally. She has prepared her resources, compiling storybooks and pictures to teach from. “Now I’m just praying that He will do the rest,” she said.

Beckham arrived in Asia in late August to begin her one-year teaching commitment.

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