Teaching Resources International

Wisdom (Needed!)(March Update, 2011)

So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NASB)

Ready to Teach… Again, and again, and again, and again, and again!

I am still working on lectures for my next class and it is fast approaching.  The class is for the Talbot Master’s program, “The Theology and Practice of Prayer.” This is the first time I have taught this class so I am working very hard to get everything together.  I am excited about a class that integrates both practice and theology.  Be praying for me as I teach it and for the students in the class.  Pray that we will all grow in our prayer lives through this course.

At the same time, I am also putting together an online-class World History class at KTS for some graduating students who need this class to be able to study in US and European programs.  This is much more difficult that I imagined.  I’m not the most computer-savvy person so my learning curve has been pretty steep!  I have to get the online materials all posted before Wednesday (March 2) because we have an orientation meeting that day.  Then I will be grading and interacting with this class for the next 6-8 weeks.  Pray that I can be efficient in my use of time while teaching this class.

Finally, I am working on Contemporary Issues in Theology that I will be teaching in Belgium at the end of April and I will be working with one of my students in the Talbot program to co-teach the Critical Thinking and Writing 1 that I designed last year.  We will be teaching this class in May at KTS.  I also just learned that I am needed to teaching Critical Thinking and Writing 2 at the end of May too!  So April and May and early June will be very busy!

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

The last few weeks have been a scramble to make some decisions about classes that I will teach.  I am still in the decision making process because I am trying to teach less so I can work more on Russian.  I missed about half of my lessons this year because of time conflicts and I’m trying to protect some of my time for language studies.  I wanted to avoid teaching any new classes (which take 3 times as long to develop), but the need for teachers is also great.  So I’m probably going to be teaching some new ones too.

Here is what I am tentatively looking at for next year … Exposition of Genesis (September; new class for me); Church History 1 (November) and World History (November).  This will mean teaching back-to-back classes in November which is very tiring.  Then in the spring, I will be teaching Theology and Spirituality (end of January; new course for me), Homiletics 2 (March; new class for me), Theology 4 (March; new class for me); and Critical Thinking and Writing 1 (May).

As you can see, there are a lot of needs.  Please be praying for me as I make some decisions about these classes in the coming weeks.  I’m also going to need to work on alternative ways to do Russian for the next few months.  Because of my schedule, I will only be able to make 9 out of 32 lessons.  So, Katya and I are going to work through some Russian textbooks together.  Pray that I will stay disciplined so I can work on Russian.

Home in March … Short time, but I’m excited!

I have been praying about getting back to Arkansas this spring for a short visit.  I really need to work on taxes (both personal and corporate) and I have a number of other Teaching Resources tasks that I cannot do from here.  Johnnie Baker (The Bible Church of Cabot) has set up a VPN (I think) to my home computer so I am able to do a lot from Kiev (amazing—Thanks, Johnnie!).  But there are still some things I need to set up while I’m there too.  Also, Joy is working and needs someone to watch her kids during the day.  So, I will get to come home, get some work done, pick up some books to bring back, and get to spend time with my grandchildren.  The only negative is that Katya has to stay and work at the seminary—a reminder to me of how important she is to the seminary!

One concern was finances for the trip.  But God supplies in amazing ways!  A couple of weeks ago, we received an email from the Albrights and the International Church of Milan in Italy—they provided a gift to cover the cost of flying back for that week!  Without us even asking!  Wow!  God’s people are so amazing!!!

I will be home the week of March 18-26.  I will be teaching at the Men’s breakfast on March 19th at the Bible Church of Cabot and then with a group of men in North Little Rock at Jim Boles’s home on Saturday morning, March 26th. In both groups, we will be looking at theology and prayer (How Our View of God Affects our Prayer).  Be praying for me as I teach these two times.

And on my flight through DC, I will get to spend the night with Joel, Alyssa and Lucas!

Prayer Needs

1. Wisdom about time usage…  Continue to pray for me about this.
2. Class Preparations… I have five (!) classes that I am preparing for right now.  I also have papers that I am grading from the last class in January and will soon have papers from the Talbot class and the World History class.  Pray that I can complete everything quickly.
3. Russian … Continue to pray that I can find more time for my Russian.
4. Our Church … Open Hearts Church in Kiev is really a wonderful blessing for us.  We love the worship, the teaching and the small groups!  Pray for Pastor Sergy Bochko and his wife, Natasha, as they led this new church.  We have ESL clubs on Sunday mornings before church that have over 40 non-believers coming!  Pray for these to build relationships and to hear the gospel.
5. Finances … It is amazing how being a missionary teaches you dependence and gratitude!  We are so grateful for each of you who support us each month!  Please pray that a few more can join our support team.  We have all we need but things are tight financially here.  Also, pray for the Seminary itself.  Finances are the lowest they have ever been and we have about one month’s worth of operating funds.  Ukraine has had nearly double inflation in the past few years and this has had an impact on the school’s finances.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support … we could not be here doing this ministry without your help!

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So Much to Do … So Little Time (February Update, 2011) PDF

Class Completed! (Whew…)

Last Friday, I finished teaching the Critical Thinking and Writing II class!  It was a lot of work but I think it benefited the students greatly.  The class involved analyzing short stories for characters, settings, plots, etc.  Every day, we examined a different short story, looked at biblical applications and then students had to write a critical essay.  This was a class I designed so that we could meet accreditation requirements for US and European schools and it went very well!  Many of the students said it will be a great help in developing a biblical worldview and in understanding for biblical interpretation.  Thank you for praying.

Preparations! (Ugh…)

I am currently working on another new class, “The Theology and Practice of Prayer” that I will teach at KTS in March for our Talbot Masters Degree program.  I am working about 4-6 hours a day getting together notes and Powerpoint presentations for this class.  I am excited about teaching it and I am praying that the class will benefit all of us (teacher included) in deepening our prayer lives.  Also, at the end of February and into April, I will be teaching an online-class World History class at KTS for some graduating students who need this class to be able to study in US and European programs. Additionally, I am working on Contemporary Issues in Theology that I will be teaching in Belgium at the end of April.  Finally, I will be working with one of my students in the Talbot program to co-teach the Critical Thinking and Writing 1 that I designed last year.  We will be teaching this class in May at KTS.

As you can see, I am slightly overwhelmed with all the classes I am preparing and teaching this semester.  In twelve months, I will have taught 5 new courses!  Usually a new course takes 3-4 times as much preparation as teaching a class that you have taught before.  One professor said that this is way beyond the normal teaching load.  And I have been trying to take Russian classes also.  But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now and I am committed to not teaching any new classes until I have completed my Russian studies.

Grateful for so much!

January has been a wonderful time being back here in Kiev.  Our church and small group continue to be a real blessing to us.  Last Sunday, the church celebrated its five year anniversary.  It was wonderful… great worship, great message and a full house (pictures on Facebook).  Also, I will be preaching at two churches this month.  Pray that the messages will be helpful to the believers here.

Also, the weather has been much warmer than normal (but that may not last long).  We have also been able to use or apartment for hosting a number of people overnight that last few weeks.  Finally, Katya and I were able to take some time to go to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Kiev for only about $8 a ticket… it was wonderful!… One of those small pleasure s that mean so much when you need a break.  And Monday night, Katya and I will be getting together with some other missionaries here to watch a replay of the Super Bowl.  It will be great fellowship and also a chance to reconnect with one of my great loves—American football .

Prayer Needs

1. Wisdom about time usage…  “There is so little to do and so much time! Stop, reverse that!” (Willy Wonka).  I need to say “no” more often so I can have a reasonable work load.  Pray for wisdom and a willingness to say no.
2. Class Preparations… I have four (!) classes that I am preparing for right now.  I also have papers that I am grading from the last two classes.  Pray that I can complete everything quickly.
3. Russian … Please pray that I can find more time for my Russian.  When I should be spending 6 hours a day, I am doing good to find 6 a week.  I hope this will change after I finish teaching my class in March.
4. Finances … Pray that God will supply all our needs.  We would like to continue to come to America to visit but finances are tight.  Also, our General Fund is a little low right now.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support … we could not be here doing this ministry without your help!

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Ukraine

I spent some of my time in Kiev my last trip talking with other missionaries exploring the possibilities, needs and costs of me moving to Ukraine and teaching there on a regular basis. I am spending time this summer preparing for this. I sold my car two weeks ago (a very big step toward moving) and I will be working on selling other things and deciding what to ship to Ukraine. I am also working on Russian about 2-3 hours a day as well as preparing syllabi for classes and PowerPoints for the classes I will be teaching (see “Upcoming Schedule” below).

There are a number of ministry-related reasons for this move: 1) Language… while my Russian is improving, I will not be able to use it like I need to without some time in language immersion; 2) Teaching … the seminary there is expanding its programs to include a Masters in Biblical Counseling and they need me to teach some additional classes; 3) Church … I would like to be more involved with a local church in Ukraine and be able to help churches and pastors in a practical way. Right now, I am limited to going to church there 1-2 times when I am teaching. It would help to be more directly connected with Ukrainian pastors and churches. 4) Travel … I will save a lot of travel money whenever I teach in Bulgaria or Belgium (or other schools in Europe). Costs for travel within Europe are much cheaper than traveling over from the US (about $500-1000 less).

Support and Expenses

I will probably need to increase my monthly support a little depending on apartment costs and health insurance. Right now, all I can do is estimate the costs. I currently receive about $2249.00 per month from Teaching Resources. I estimate that I would need about $3000.00 per month for living expenses. So I will need to raise about $500.00-800.00 in additional support.

Housing Rent and Utilities $1100-1200
Food $600.00
Medical $200.00
Transportation (public) $50.00
Miscell. Living $100-200
Taxes $400.00
Reserve $300.00
$ 2950.00

My biggest expense would be moving and start-up expenses. It is hard to estimate this accurately at this point. Missionaries there have given me estimates from $6000-20,000. Mine will probably be on the lower end of those estimates. I estimate that I will need $6000-10,000 in start up costs. Many of the things I have now cannot be taken because customs taxes are often more than the value of purchasing the item in Ukraine. I will need some one-time donations to help me cover these expenses when I return in the fall (designate as 1500/Ukraine/Moving). The Intensive Russian classes I will be taking this fall will cost about $500.00. Regular classes (after I move) will be $250/month).

Computer/Printer
Appliances (most apartments do not have these)
Furniture for apartment
Dishes (I can transport some but not everything I need)
Office Furniture (desk/files/shelves)
Visa Costs
Travel/Shipping

Upcoming Schedule

My current plan is to return to Ukraine at the end of August and stay for a little over 2 months. Here is a breakdown of the tentative plans for those months and most of the following year:
August 30-September 10 – Two-week Intensive Russian class
September 13-24 – Teaching Theology 3 (Christology and Soteriology) at KTS
September 27-October 1 – “free” week to find apartment and some furnishings
October 4-15 – Two-week Intensive Russian class
October 15-20 – finalizing apartment & furnishings before I return to US

This will allow me to get things in order for when I return in December or January. I need to secure an apartment so I can have some place to ship and store things that I will need to send over. Here is a tentative schedule for the rest of the academic year.

November 29-December 10 –Teaching History at KTS
December 15-January 15 – Home in US for Christmas
January 2011 – Teaching Research and Writing II at KTS
March 2011 – Teaching Theology and Practice of Prayer at KTS
April 2011 – Home in US for spring break
May 2011 – Teaching Research and Writing I at KTS
July & August 2011 – Home in US for summer break

My plan will be to stay in Ukraine three months at a time and return 2-4 times each year. I will usually be returning to the US in the summers and over Christmas when school is not in session and perhaps once in the spring and fall. This will be almost the opposite of my travel now but it will be fewer trips.

Prayer Needs:

1. Additional monthly support before I move ($500-800/month)
2. One-time moving expenses (appx. $6000)
3. Time to focus on Russian studies this summer.
4. Time for completing course work for teaching in the fall and winter.
5. Selling items here during the summer.
6. Wisdom in decision making about apartment and furnishings in the fall.
7. God’s leading on many personal decisions.

Thank you so much for helping me to ministry to pastors and churches in Ukraine!

Gifts should continue to be sent to:
Teaching Resources International
20 Sunrise Place
Cabot, AR 72023-2047

Please designate them for either DS-1000 (for Jim’s Support) or for 1500/Ukraine (for one-time gifts for moving help)

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I just returned from Ukraine where I spent 2 weeks teaching Research and Critical Thinking to a class of 41 students. Everything went very well. The materials were all translated into Russian which made teaching the class much smoother. The students did very well and some progressed from being frustrated with writing to turning out some good papers. I’ll be teaching the second part of this class in January. Thanks for Praying!

Also, continue praying for me about decisions about Ukraine. I spent some of my time there with other missionaries exploring the possibilities, needs and costs of me moving to Ukraine and teaching there on a regular basis. This summer, I will be evaluating the information to see if this is a good idea. There are three main reasons for considering this: 1) Language… while my Russian is improving, I will not be able to use it like I need to without some time in language immersion; 2) Teaching … the seminary there is expanding its programs to include a Masters in Biblical Counseling and they need me to teach some additional classes; 3) Church … I would like to be more involved with a local church in Ukraine and be able to help churches and pastors in a practical way. Right now, I am limited to going to church there 1-2 times when I am teaching. It would help to be more directly connected with Ukrainian pastors and churches.

All of this is still in the exploration stage. I am assessing costs (as well as “counting the cost” of what I would need to give up to move to Ukraine!) and trying to determine the best course of action. I appreciate your prayers for me about this decision. Thanks for Praying!

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