I am a mathematics major at La Sierra University, and I can say with confidence that I am nowhere near the best student in my college classes. My professors can confirm that for those who are curious. But I have wanted to teach high school math in Majuro since my senior year at Shenandoah Valley Academy.

After reaching the realization that I was in a rut, I struggled with the desire to do something to help others via mission trips or summer camps. I looked deep in my heart, and one thing stood out … Majuro. I was being called by a voice saying, “Majuro needs you, go.” Without hesitation, I filled out the application and began my journey to become a high school math teacher in the narrow atoll in the South Pacific.

There was much anticipation upon arrival. I was going to be a math teacher during the school day, and I would surf, snorkel and spearfish everyday after class. My first week of orientation was relaxing. I started my surf and spearfish expeditions early since the warm, clear ocean was 50 yards from my apartment.

The impact the students can have on you is a much bigger aspect of being a student missionary. Most missionaries have the mind set that they are going to change lives. Not me, I was looking to find my heart and my true inner self.

During the first two days of all my math classes, I gave the same assignment to review the students’ basic math skills. They all did well, so I decided to start with a lecture in geometry. Now, before I continue, I have to give you a little history of my own education. I skipped two-and-a-half years of elementary school because I was busy running, jumping, and climbing trees just doing the things that 10- to 13-year-olds do. So when I started eigth grade, I was learning at a sixth grade level. When I hit high school, I don’t even remember taking algebra or geometry. But here I was, a mathematics major teaching a high school geometry class. What was I thinking!?

During my first lecture, I thought to myself, “Hey, this is pretty easy. How did I do so poorly when I was in high school?” At the end of that class period, I said good-bye to my students as they left, but one student slowly came to my desk.

“Mr. Rubino, I’m no good at math. In fact, I hate math,” he said. “I made A’s and B’s last year, but in my math class I was getting a D and sometimes an F. I just didn’t understand it. But the way you lectured and described the material today made math so much fun and exciting … Thank you.”

All I could do was sit down and weep. How could I, a terrible math student, have an impact on a student in three days of lecture? The only thing that I can come up with is that it was an answer to my prayer the night before school started. I prayed that God would speak through me, that I wasn’t the one teaching, but it was Him teaching through me. And He did! Now this student is in the top four of his class and plans to go to a Seventh-day Adventist University in the U.S. I have full confidence that he will make it.

Just that single experience was worth giving one year of my life and putting my college career on hold. I came to Majuro to teach and to fulfill a dream, but also to be changed. I was, in the first 10 days.

If you are struggling with the decision to be a student mission, stop! Listen to the voice, make the decision, and go.