Czechs and Divorce

I ran across a new study today that says that, although the rate of divorce is falling slightly in the Czech Republic (down to 47%), it is still the highest in the EU.

I found it particularly interesting that the divorce rate is lower for university graduates: "University graduates are the most conservative. It means they divorce the least and they have also the lowest proportion of non-marital births." One case where education really does have an impact on people's lives. It would be worth praying for families in this country.

The original article: http://www.radio.cz/en/article/78959

Matt's latest from Prague (daddy soon?)

Here is my latest update email:

**Adoption**
The brief version is that we could get the call to come meet our baby anytime after June 1! Wow! Some of the latest steps that got us here:

- We had our psychological evaluation: it went amazing well with a compassionate, Christian psychologist (but this is the Czech Republic).
More: http://www.thomasfamilyweb.net/AdoptionJournal.htm (scroll down to March 7, 2006)

- We attended the first session of the adoption training and found out that we didn't need to go to any more.
More: http://jennyingrace.blogspot.com/2006/04/were-all-trained-up-evidently.html

- We completed a well-done online adoption training course offered through the state of Illinois.
More: http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/courses/wewo.cfm

- We met with the Magistrate (the government person overseeing our adoption) and found out about June 1.
More: http://jennyingrace.blogspot.com/2006/04/june-baby-maybe.html

- Just a couple days ago, we got a registered letter confirming that we are suitable parents.
More: http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/05/soon-to-be-dad.html

**Doctorate and Teaching**
Saturday, May 13, is graduation. Needless to say, I won't be there, but the diploma will be issued next week and sent to Jenny's parent's house.

Next step: look into getting it published.

May 30 will be graduation for the students I have been teaching since mid-March. In addition, I have been marking essays and working with a pastor on sabbatical researching the backgrounds of the Hebrew Bible/OT.

More: http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/05/cats-actually-theyre-my-students.html

**Next Year**
I don't think I've said much in these updates about what next year will look like for us. We'll be going through some good changes.

We'll be moving this summer onto campus at the International Baptist Theological Seminary where I teach. We'll be working with the English program at the seminary in addition to my ongoing teaching there. I will also probably get involved in other areas, like the library (chronically understaffed).

We are very excited about this re-direction in our ministry here. Living at the seminary will allow us to be more involved in the community there and to contribute in many ways that have been harder to do living across town (it is now about a 45 minute commute for me to teach).

We prayed and researched a lot before deciding to throw in our lot with the seminary. I interviewed for a number of positions (even being offered one before they realized the paperwork required to get me a work permit) and we have spent a lot of time talking with folks here and in the States about options. This is where we feel God is leading us for at least the next year, and we're excited for the ministry opportunities.

**Other Stuff**
- I had an article published in the April issue of DisciplesWorld:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/04/disciplesworld-article-on-hosea.html

- Read my reflections on one meeting of the English conversation club I've been helping with for the past 3 years:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/04/english-conversation-cafe-coze.html

- Some reflections on the 23rd psalm:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/03/shepherd-in-control.html

- Random thoughts about transportation to church on a random Sunday:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/04/atypical-trip-to-church.html

As Garrison Keillor would say: "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch."

CATs: Actually, they're my students

For the past couple months, I have been teaching an Old Testament Survey course at the seminary. The students are in the Certificate in Applied Theology program. The program is for students with lower English levels to study a combination of English and theological subjects (Bible, theology, church history, etc.). I taught this course last year also and have really enjoyed it both times. It feels like a confirmation to me of my gift and calling to teach Bible.

I thought I would tell you a bit about the students. Early in the course, I decided to have them sign up so that I could have lunch with each of them (in pairs, so as to be less intimidating). I usually stay for lunch on the days I teach anyway, so it is a good way to use my time. I have enjoyed my conversations with them. Allow me to introduce:

Amalija (from Serbia) - Amalija is a delightful, enthusiastic student who was not so sure about coming to Prague for this program, but is very glad that she came.

Yulia (from Russia) - Yulia is the new wife of one of the Masters in Theology students, Tima. She is also one of those enthusiastic students who has thanked me on several occassions for my "interesting lectures." Maybe that's why she and Amalija sit together.

Sasha (from Russia) - Sasha is what I would generally think of as just a great guy. He's friendly and always goes out of his way to greet me around campus. He's also Yulia's brother-in-law (Tima's brother), so we've got quite a contingent from his family.

Alan (from Israel) - I would say that Alan is the helpful one in the class. He also often acts as the unofficial class spokesperson. He sits there with his Arabic Bible, planning calendar in Hebrew, and an English Bible also. He hopes to return to Israel to study engineering after this year.

Ksenia (from Russia) - Now Ksenia is from the far, far eastern part of Russia (12 hours by train from Vladivostok). She's more quiet, but thoughtful. When put in the position, she can be articulate, but often chooses to let others do the talking. She hopes to go back after this year to help in her home church.

Virginija (from Lithuania) - After working for a couple years in the business world, Virginija decided to take a year and do something different. She's one of the more articulate and intelligent students in the class and is also the more-or-less official representative of the CATs to the school. She's also the only one, I think, to have read any of the books I have put on reserve in the library.

Alesia (from Belarus) - Alesia is a quieter one; I think partly because her English is less advanced. When I have spoken with her, she is very sweet. I asked her once about the political situation in Belarus: she just rolled her eyes and laughed. She is not sure what to make of it all.

Weam (from Israel) - Weam is definitely the class character/clown. He has a rather flamboyant personality and is always very animated. He comes up with the most interesting questions of any of the students (including one about Eve's bellybutton). This guy keeps me on my toes.

Aliona (from Moldova) - Aliona is one of those solid, attentive students that you hope to have in every class. If no one else knows the answer, Aliona usually has at least an opinion. She comes across as modest and thoughtful and has a lot of insights to offer. She held her own well in our debate over whether Israel should have had a monarchy (1 Samuel 8-12).

Maria (from Romania) - Maria is from the Hungarian-speaking region of Romania (in the vicinity of Transylvania). Maria is very excited to be in the program this year. She is a Baptist from birth (of course, only baptized later) and has known about the CAT program for years. For her, this is a dream come true.

Vitaly (from Ukraine) - If I ask for questions, Vitaly will have one. Always. He usually asks me questions after class like, "What is the difference between effort and attempt?" I would put Vitaly in a similar category to Virginija. Engaged with the Bible, questioning, and interested in just about everything.

Olexander (from Ukraine) - Olexander is the more technically-inclined guy always with a new idea. He always has his laptop in class (the only one who does). He gave me a copy of his magazine, Kronos. It contains a mixture of articles of interest in Christianity, technology, and society. Of course, it is in Russian, so I haven't read much of it, but he showed me what the articles were about.

Svetlana (from Ukraine, now Czech Republic) - Svetlana moved to the Czech Republic with her family just a few months ago. She came late into the program and is not there every class. Her English level is low, so I am not sure how much she understands (she is not taking the class for credit, so she doesn't take the tests), but she seems to appreciate being there.

Well, there's my class. An eclectic bunch from 7 different countries. You can pray that they will learn things here that will enhance their lives and churches when they return home after graduation at the end of May. When I get a photo of the class, I'll post it.

Soon to be a Dad?

Yesterday we got a registered letter (meaning I had to pick it up from the post office with my passport) from the magistrate of Prague confirming very officially--with a stamp and all--that we have now completed all the requirements for the adoption, have been deemed suitable parental material, and will now go on "the list" for possible babies.

We met with the magistrate back on April 27 (see Jenny's account here) with the result that we could get the call to come meet our new baby as early as June 1. The letter was simply an official confirmation of what we already knew.

This weekend I am going away with Aaron and Matt, both of whom have pregnant wives (Aaron's a veteran, since this will be baby #2). We will be hanging out in an area of the country called Czech Switzerland (I think some of Narnia was filmed there) at a little pension/hostel. All three of us are looking forward to a time of sharing our thoughts/insights/fears/joyful anticipation/etc. about soon being a dad. I hope and pray that it will be a good time for all of us. Hopefully also for our wives. I think Jenny is going with Amy, Matt's wife, tomorrow to see the baby in one of those high-tech 3D ultrasounds. Cool. That's what appeals to a dad: cool technology that has to do with my kid!