Seeing things from another’s perspective is a big advantage in ministry. Myrna Patenaude has found that to be true. She’s an instructor at KBI, and has served as Dean of Single Women. She’s also a former Key-Way-Tin student.

“Whether a student is dealing with keeping up with school work, maintaining friendships, or getting used to schedules,” she says, “when they’re going through one of these hardships, I think back and remember a similar experience.”

Being a dean has provided her opportunities to get to know the students, hear them tell about their struggles, and to pray with them. “But also to see their triumphs and rejoice with them!” she adds.

“The Lord has graciously guided me in finding the balance between being a dean and an instructor. Both are very important,” says Myrna. However, teaching seems to have found a special place in her heart. She’ll be passing on her work as Ladies Dean to another, and feels called to full-time teaching.

“I do love teaching. Being able to catch a glimpse as God’s Word grips the hearts of the students is so encouraging.” She recalls handing out a particular homework assignment and receiving the completed assignments a couple of days later. “Besides the assignment,” remembers Myrna, “one student put a note in my mailbox. My heart truly rejoiced as she told how a certain Scripture verse had become so real to her. It was so exciting!”

Teaching has been an eye opener, too, says Myrna. She didn’t realize it when she was a student, but being an instructor is a lot of work! “I soon began to understand that it involves many hours of studying and preparing.”

Being on staff at a smaller school means a variety of responsibilities. Myrna says she’s also helped out with secretarial duties in the School office, driven students to town for banking and shopping, and been part of a prison ministry team.

Myrna requests prayer for the following needs: As was reported in our Spring issue, KBI will not hold regular classes during the 2010/11 school year. This is, in part, because of staff shortage. Without the provision of a full-time cook, business manager, and additional maintenance workers, resuming classes the fall of 2011 may be impossible. Please pray!

Myrna also appreciates prayer as she and other Key-Way-Tin instructors prepare new Bible-teaching curriculum. She asks, “Please pray for God’s wisdom and direction in all of this.” Finally, Myrna will be joining a church planting team in Lethbridge, Alberta, for the coming winter. She asks prayer for ministry opportunities there.

To receive KBI’s newsletter “Kontact,” please phone 780-623-4565.

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