Teaching Hebrews (and a Birthday Boy)
While I've been busy in the classroom, our little boy has been busy growing up.
Birthday Boy
At the beginning of February, Justus turned three years old. This was his first birthday to be excited about and it was fun to share in that excitement with him. When he came into our room early that morning, I said, “Today is a special day! Do you remember what today is?” He sleepily answered no as he climbed onto the bed. “How old are you?” I asked. He thought about it a second and then the biggest smiled appear on his face as he joyously declared, “Three!”
We celebrated that day together as a family, then on Saturday we had some friends come over for a party. There are two kids he's especially close to in the church here. One of them was out of town, but we invited several of his favorite adults too. Katie planned an amazing party with lots of games and we all made our own pizzas.
Our family went in together to buy him his first bicycle, and Katie and I gifted him a “real” firefighter costume.
A week after his birthday we marked the day we got the phone call about a baby who had been born and was waiting for us in Kansas. That day never passes without thanking God for his providence and for each of you who came together to help make our adoption possible.
Teaching Hebrews
Friday was my last day teaching Hebrews. I was impressed with what the students were able to walk away with from our three weeks together, but I already have a list of changes I want to make for next year. I was so anxious about getting through all the material in time that we didn't have as much discussion as I prefer. It was too much lecture, not enough reflection. Then again, Hebrews is steeped in references from the Old Testament and so much of it just needs to be explained. It’s a tough balance, but one I feel much better about going into next time.
Those Old Testament references are much harder to recognize when reading from the Russian Synodal Bible (the most common translation used here). In order to help the students see all the connections, I created a special notebook for them to use during class that I hope will also be useful to them in their future studies. On the left side of the notebook was the Hebrews text with wide margins and every Old Testament quotation set apart and bolded. Then, on the right pages were lines for note taking. I was very happy with how it turned out and to see how the students utilized it.
Katie and I continue to have a few students over to our house each week for dinner. It allows us to get to know them much better and hear how God has worked in their lives to bring them to where they are now. And Justus always enjoys having the company.
A couple weeks ago, Katie hosted and taught the ladies’ Bible study (complete with Valentine’s Day decorations all over the house).
Upcoming
In two weeks, I'll be teaching a course on youth ministry—a first for the Ukrainian Bible Institute. I have been working on it little by little for a while, but now it's time to get moving and put it all together. I'm also already preparing for my class on Revelation which will begin towards the end of April. In addition to the class prep, there has been a lot of learning about the administrative side of things here. It’s been busy lately!
Thank you so much for your prayers! We love you, and we’ll talk to you next time!
—Brandon and Katie
While looking for letters on the computer keyboard, Justus asks me, “Dad, does your name start with five?”