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.
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.
posted by Matt | 10:53 AM
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