English Grammar

When we left Roseville at the end of October, I was uncertain whether or not I would actually be teaching the English Grammar course here at CBTS. I think I had convinced myself that since we were so late in arriving for the semester, certainly someone else must have already been teaching the course. While I knew this was unlikely, I wanted to believe it would be true.

On that Monday evening when we arrived at CBTS, there were many people outside our home waiting to greet us. Everything from that night is sort of a blur. It was dark, the power went out shortly after we came into the house, we had travelled for 6 hours on a horrible road, and we didn't know anybody. (You know, it is quite exhausting to keep the kids from hitting their heads on the windows in the bush taxi when you have given them Drahmamine to keep their stomachs settled...and even harder when you have taken some yourself.) I don't remember if it was the president of the seminary, who scooped Jonathan into his arms as he climbed out of the taxi, or the academic dean, that said, "And your students are also eager to have you here for the English Grammar course." I have to admit my heart sort of sunk, and still I was slightly curious to take on this new challenge.

The beginning was rough. I was very uncomfortable. Yes, I speak English and I have brought my fourth grader through a few English Grammar texts, but I was a Bible major and most of my English grammar I learned through Greek! I think things would have been easier if nobody ever asked any questions. It's the questions from the students that are really trying to learn the information that often stump me...and then there was the time when the text was actually wrong...and there are differences between British grammar and American English grammar, right? So when most of the class tells me they learned something differently in secondary school, how do I know whether or not I am teaching something that is unique to American English? It also took quite some time to get a feel for how the class interacts with one another and also with the teacher. There is often a good amount of laughing, sometimes I do not understand it and at other times it is clearly at the expense of a student who has asked a question. In one instance, I think this treatment of a fellow student went far enough beyond what had been normal that a gentle rebuke was necessary.

The prep for class and grading are a bit more time consuming than I had thought they might be. After the first few weeks of class, I was certain that this was going to be too much to do while homeschooling and trying to adapt to living in a new culture. I thought that maybe we could at least grade the quizzes together in class and possibly some assignments as well. We attempted this twice, but I found that I couldn't tell which markings were corrections afterwards and which were part of the original students work. The grading would also go faster if I never assigned the exercises in which the students are required to write their own sentences. This, however, would rob me of the joy it is to read the creatively written sentences about how wonderful English grammar is and how delighted they are to be taking the class. Often there is also a sentence, or two, that makes some comment about Madame Erin. Of course, these students receive extra credit...actually, they simply make me laugh since I doubt that any of them prefer English Grammar over Greek, Hebrew, Systematic Theology or New Testament Exegesis.

Things began to change fairly quickly a few weeks into the course. It began on the day when I was able to personally return each student's work to the correct student and also to call them by name when they raised their hands. This is actually much easier than trying to remember not to gesture with my left hand while my right hand is holding a piece of chalk or an eraser. I also think my grammar has gotten better, and I've learned to simply say, "I don't know." I'm no longer concerned about body language and expressions or the fact that on any given day it is not uncommon to see a few students sleeping...or learning with their eyes closed. I really enjoy the class now. I am even a bit sad that the Christmas break will be for several weeks, and I think I will miss being with the students.

What is Jesus doing with Those Pigs?!

While studying the gospels in my New Testament Introduction class, one question has stood out as unusual for my Western ears. In the gospel of Mark we came to chapter 5, where we have the account of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man who dwelled among the tombs. As Jesus interacts with the demons, they request that he send them into a herd of pigs (v. 12). Then we read in verse 13, “he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.”

One of the students asked me in class how this could not be sin for Jesus. Jesus allowed these unclean spirits destroy a huge herd of pig, which equates to a huge economic loss for that community. In all of my ministry, teaching and preaching through the gospels, no one has cared about those pigs. In this culture, however, there is a deep appreciation for the economic prospect of livestock. Perhaps I can be so bold to say that the people of Cameroon understand the culture of the Bible better than us Westerners.

So, how would you answer that question: How is this not sin for Jesus to allow the demons to destroy the pigs? I had two responses: 1. Just because Jesus “allowed” the demons to enter into the pigs does not mean Jesus is responsible for the actions of the demons. The demons caused the pigs to be drowned. Throughout Scripture we see God allow Satan and the demons to work evil and God is never to be blamed for the evil. Consider how God allows Satan to afflict Job in Job 1 and 2. Or consider how God allows Satan to enter into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. Peter makes it clear in Acts 2:23 that it was according to “the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” that Jesus is betrayed to his death. It is a great comfort to know that evil is not out of the control of God. We believe that “for those who love God all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28) and the God “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11), and yet, God “cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one” (James 1:13) and “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5).

The second thing I said was more speculative. I would need to do more research to affirm this truth (and I admitted that to the class). I said that perhaps this was an act of judgment by Jesus on that community. If this was a Jewish community (this I am unsure of, but suspect strongly; see Mark 7:27 – Jesus was sent to the Jews), they should have no business with pigs. God declared pigs to be unclean for the Jews (see Lev. 11:7). At this point in Jesus’ ministry, he was already being accused of breaking the law, especially the Sabbath laws. And here Jesus comes upon this community that raised unclean animals. I believe this reveals the hypocrisy of the Jews who were against Jesus. And this could be Jesus’ judgment on the hypocrisy of those opposing him.

So what do you think about those pigs? How would you respond?

I have to admit that answering questions from the students has come to be one of my favorite parts of teaching. I enjoy how their questions reveal what is near to their hearts and how they are digesting my teaching. I look forward to next semester when I will have more time in class to receive and address questions. Because of our late arrival and all that we are packing into a short period of time, I constantly have to stop receiving questions in class time. But next semester will be a normal pace schedule (which will be nice just for the sake of keeping up with the class prep time).

Greetings from Rev. Mbongko, President of CBTS

Pictures

A few photos: Our student helper Anita, our cook Martha, and our laundress Marcelline.

Millipedes

Wow, the millipedes are huge! Usually they are outside...but last week, while the boys and I were reading in our school room, we found one crawling across the floor. I hope he came in through an open door when we weren't looking. I try to convince myself that they cannot regularly enter my home...though we have found several caterpillars and grasshoppers inside recently.

Billy Bob is Anna's goat. (This is her house.) We get to live in the house, we also get to take care of the goat. The boys take him every morning and tie him where he get get to long, unmowed grass and bring him back home again before it gets dark. Only once did they return without tying him up. A man asked them if they would like to eat Billy Bob. He said that he was a very nice BIG goat and had a lot of meat on him. He also informed them that they taste very good and it would be easy for him to get a knife so they could have a good meal. The boys were a bit frightened and very concerned about losing Billy, though we think that everyone on campus knows Billy Bob and it is most likely that a joke was being played on the little American boys.

Electricity, Water and other things we take for granted

We have had the privilege this week to grow in our appreciation of many amenities we take for granted back home. On Monday morning of last week, we learned that the water pump for the seminary had “burned up.” They were hopeful to have it fixed by Tuesday, but we were a bit skeptical. We began conserving water as best we could. Much of our clothing was washed by hand, or our laundress carried in water from our rain barrel and poured it into the washing machine. We used the rain water as much as possible, and were fortunate to make it until Thursday without running out of water in our water tank. On Thursday, the seminary was able to transfer to the village of Ndu’s water pump.

Our adventures had only just begun. The electricity went out on Friday late in the morning. This is really not at all uncommon. We certainly expected that it would come back on late in the evening, as it often does. Saturday morning there was still no electricity. I began moving a few things from the refrigerator to the freezer. While we were eating dinner on Saturday night, the lights suddenly came on. The table erupted into applause and many grateful cheers from excited little boys. About forty minutes later, we relit the candles. The electricity did come back that night after the kids were in bed, but it only lasted a few hours. Sunday evening, we ate dinner with hopes again that the electricity would come back and be welcomed again with cheers. Once again, it returned after the boys were in bed. Again, we had electricity for just a few hours…enough to keep the meat in the freezer frozen.

I’m writing this on Monday afternoon. Still no electricity. The internet doesn’t work without the electricity, so by the time you read this, we will be up and running again, at least for a short time. I learned this morning that though we had a few hours of electricity over the past few days, the village water pump would not have been turned on because the low voltage and inconsistent electricity is what causes the pumps to burn out. I guess our water tank was not refilling when I had hoped it was. Josiah just informed me that as he was washing his hands, the water came out in a rusty sputter.

We still have some water in the rain barrel. I noticed the bucket in the bathroom that we were dumping in to flush the toilet had 5 little amoebas? swimming around in it. I have memories of examining similar looking little critters under microscopes while I was in high school. Now I am certain that I have to have confidence that the water filter that we use for drinking water is doing its job well.

We have been here three weeks and I believe have already experienced many of the trials that come with living in Ndu. I have heard that sometimes the water is out for weeks at a time. We certainly haven’t enjoyed that experience yet; however, I think we will soon be hiring someone to refill our water tank with water from the water hole. (The posted picture is of the waterhole.)

I am finishing this posting when it is now Monday evening and the kids are in bed. We do have electricity now, but are still not receiving water. The electricity returned this afternoon and went out again as we sat down for dinner. Candlelight dinners are no longer reserved for special occasions, but seem instead to occur nightly.

I am thankful for some wonderful times as a family huddling on the sofa with a fire in the fireplace while telling stories, talking about our time here in Cameroon and who we interacted with during the day or what we appreciated or are thankful for, or listening while Daddy reads from our current family book, Duncan’s War. There is little more you can do when it is dark, but what God has given us in these moments is much more than we might have done without them.

Dr. Dale the Seminary Professor

Somehow the Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary received information that I had earned a Ph.D. in New Testament. So all of the documents for my classes have me listed as Dr. Dale Thiele or simply Dr. Dale. Even the students have been greeting me as "Dr." Oh boy! I have spent my first two weeks here explaining to the students in my classes and the administration of the seminary that I do not have a doctorate, but I am sure that God has equipped me well for this task of teaching in these classes.

After finishing the first full week of classes, I am beginning to feel comfortable with the classroom setting. The first day with each of my classes was awkward, and I left doubting my ability to fulfill the task. But, God continues to be good in giving me wisdom and the peace needed to teach each of the classes.

I am teaching three classes this semester: Systematic Theology 1 (17 students), New Testament Introduction (over 30 students), and Exegesis of Galatians (over 40 students). I am also supervising/assisting with the Greek Grammar class (the TA for this class started teaching this class in September and asked if he could finish the semester... which I am happy to let him do). Since we started late for the three classes, we have added additional hours each week to make up class time. I am in the classroom teaching 20 hours a week (even a student asked me how I was not killing myself with this schedule)! Only 5 more weeks of classes (and you thought only students count down to break)!

Two of my classes are adding hours in the evenings, which proves to be challenging with the unpredictable electricity. This last Wednesday evening I was teaching NT Intro and the power went off 5 minutes into class time. I turned on my flashlight, along with a few students' flashlights, and I lectured for the two hours. This is life at CBTS.

I think the Galatians class is my favorite. I am teaching the students tools for studying Scripture and we're using Galatians for practice. Working on passages of Scripture in class with the students is just like preparing for a sermon, which I love. And, this group of students has been fun to interact with.

The three greatest challenges at this time are: 1. The amount of material we need to cover in the classes in such a short period of time; 2. My lack of understanding everything the students are saying (I frequently have to ask a student to repeat himself); and 3. Managing my weekly schedule so that I stay ahead of all the work. I have lectures to prepare for, quizzes to create, and homework to grade. Needless to say, my week is full (did I say only 5 more weeks until Christmas break?).

I am thankful we are here and that I have this awesome ministry opportunity. I am excited for my classes and the topics we get to study together. I trust that God will sustain my family and me for this short window of intense schooling, and we will have the chance to give him praise on the other side.