When Giving Up is Not an Option

It was after my birthday, April 16th, when I received the good news that I was accepted in ITEACH America. I had an interview with them and after a couple of days I got an email from ITEACH congratulating me and instructing me to proceed to the next step - it was just one of the many, many steps that I had to go through to get where I am now.

Then April 26 came. It was the day when another big blessing arrived. April 26th was when I got interviewed by a School Principal and the Superintendent in one of the schools in Alaska. After the interview, I was congratulated and was given the job offer! From there, ITEACH got the final confirmation of my job then initiated my visa application.

I was amazed of what happened and how my application was moving forward. Amidst the Covid-19, I continued my application because schools continued to hire teachers and sponsors continued to process visas. I thought everything was going well. Until former President Trump broadened his visa ban affecting all the J1 Visa programs. That was such a horrible news especially for teacher applicants like me who has paid the visa fees. It was very hard to accept that I could only possibly continue my application at the end of year 2020 when the visa ban expires.

All that excitement was gone and I tried to go back to my “normal life” in Dep Ed. I thought my school in Alaska had already given up on me as well. I thought they would never rehire me again. Although my interest to work in the USA never faded. Giving up was never an option for me. I believe God sees what’s in our hearts and minds; and He knows how to use what we have in our hearts and minds for the good at the right time. GOD is really good and HE certainly works in mysterious ways.

Sometime in October, the visa ban was modified exempting J1 Visa Teachers. It was such a very surprising news from the Heavens I believe! To add to God’s surprises, my school in Alaska rehired me! With GOD’s grace and with the support of ITEACH America, my rehiring process went well. I also got an expedited embassy interview - that was November 20th. After the interview, my visa got approved!!! I know GOD is Good.

December 7th, 2020 was when I finally got here in the USA. I arrived in Fairbanks, ALASKA.

I ultimately thank GOD for being the light of my path.

I am thankful to ITEACH for being responsive and supportive.

I am thankful to my FAMILY for supporting me on this quest. It was hard . This is a great sacrifice but this is a LIFE-CHANGING opportunity.

Now that I’m here in Alaska, it made me ask GOD why am I here? Why this place? I know GOD’s answer is it is because “YOU PRAYED FOR IT”. Believe in the POWER of PRAYER. Believe that the IMPOSSIBLE can become POSSIBLE with God’s grace and mercy.

I ALWAYS THANK GOD FOR BLESSING ME MORE THAN I DESERVE.

I was once fond of looking at snows in pictures and movies before. Now, it’s all Real. Seeing, feeling and touching the snow was like a symbol of a dream becoming a reality.

Forever grateful to my Heavenly Father. Forever grateful to ITEACH America for helping me in my journey to USA.

Much Love!