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| Yes, I did say 7 students. One works in a sensitive context. |
This week saw the end of the latest block of Wycliffe training. Since early September I have been teaching on the literacy and education Masters programme here in Gloucester and this year we have had 7 students to enjoy getting to know. Although I enjoy all of my teaching commitments for differing reasons, there is something quite special about this course. As this is one of the first courses students take on the Masters programme, most (although not all) of them are new to literacy and education, new to Wycliffe and new to overseas service. It is always a privilege therefore spending this formative time with these individuals and families, getting to know them, sharing my experience and knowledge with them, and encouraging them for the future.
They will all soon be heading off to different places around the world to put into practice what they have learnt (some returning to somewhere they've lived before but many going somewhere new). It is our hope and prayer that these people will be able to put into practice what they've learnt, both in terms of skills and character. I hope to stay in touch with them during this next phase of their life, supporting them as they need advice, and hopefully seeing them again in a couple of years time when they return to complete their Masters studies. Indeed, already my thoughts are beginning to turn to the new year and a new group of students. In January students will be returning to complete their studies, many of whom I will remember from a couple of years ago. Although I won't actually be teaching again until April it will be great to see them again around college, to hear their stories and to share life again.
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| Gloucester looking particularly pretty. |
And so it goes on. Being involved in teaching of this type is certainly a real privilege, but also a challenge. New friendships start and end - or sometimes just pause - on a regular and frequent basis. It is hard sometimes to see people go, but at the same time I know these relationships have been good for a time and that these people are now going on to fulfil a real need elsewhere in the world. It is partly for this reason that we are so grateful for the roots we are putting down here in Gloucester. Although we've only been here 9 months we already feel more settled than we have done for a long while. The welcome we've received from our neighbours, at college, and at our church has made a completely new place feel completely like home. We have blogged many times in the past about the challenge of moving house and the time it takes to feel really settled somewhere. Whilst things are never going to be perfect, it is with much thankfulness that we can say that sometimes, just sometimes, things just work out.
