Jefferson’s Tom has positive impact at Nicaraguan school
JEFFERSON – Greta Tom, a 26-year-old missionary from Jefferson, chatted with a 4-year-old Nicaraguan girl in the courtyard outside of the child’s home. “I remember, the little girl asked me, ‘Are you rich?'” Tom recalled. “I told her that I had only worked as a missionary and in grocery stores, so no. Then I realized that I really was not ready to admit how rich I am. I have health care, a house with running water, an education and political freedom. In comparison, I am very rich.” Tom shared her story with the Jefferson Baptist Church Tuesday evening, just weeks after returning from her nine-month stay in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. She prepared a traditional Nicaraguan dinner of beans and rice and a drink, made out of oatmeal – which Tom described as one of her favorites.
During her stay in Managua, Tom worked at a cultural center where she helped tutor women and high school students. Seventy percent of the center’s students are women, Tom explained, adding that in high-poverty areas, women and children are the most affected.
Although education in Nicaragua is free, Tom said that parents must provide all supplies and uniforms, which can make receiving a public education unattainable for many Nicaraguans. The cultural center, which is privately funded and non-government affiliated, provides scholarships for 16 children. Tom worked to create profiles on the scholarship recipients for distribution to scholarship sponsors.
Although the political situation in Nicaragua is now stable, many areas still experience extreme poverty, and street robberies are prevalent. Tom said she never carried valuables or jewelry.
Tom will soon return to Nicaragua to continue her missionary work, this time teaching English to adults. She plans to stay in the country for two years but hopes to return to Pennsylvania for Christmas.
Tom will be living with her host family, a woman in her 40s whose husband does construction work in Costa Rica, which is common.
She said her favorite student is a 16-year-old boy, who traveled from the country so he could complete his senior year of high school. He is studying English so he can attend college and major in forestry.
“Even if I don’t make a huge difference being there, to energize someone to follow their dreams is an honor to me,” Tom said.
While Tom serves in Nicaragua, her family and congregation offer prayers of support along with monetary donations.
“Growing up, she was shy and quiet,” Merry Dorean said with a smile. “Now, she’s very courageous … I just think she’s a charming young woman.”
Merry Dorean and her husband, John Dorean, the Jefferson Baptist Church pastor, moved to Jefferson in 1982. They’ve known Tom since she was a little girl.
Tom e-mails the congregation with updates, and the e-mails are read during the Sunday service.
Tom’s father, Jerry Tom, said he is very proud of his daughter.
“She’s really sensitive about other people, caring and pretty down to Earth,” he said. “I worry, but I don’t think she’s in any great danger. Every parent worries, no matter where their kids are.”
Greta Tom attended West Virginia University where she majored in international studies with a minor in music.
Her service in Nicaragua is not Greta Tom’s first experience as a missionary. She also traveled to Amsterdam to work as a volunteer in a Christian Youth Hostel.
To complete her missionary work in Nicaragua, Greta Tom asked the congregation to help her raise an additional $8,000. For more information, or to donate, contact the Jefferson Baptist Church at 724-883-4088.