Giving What We Have Received

When Rev. Santino, principal of NTC, sensed that my strength was returning in the midst of a long recovery from the Epstein Barr Virus, he asked if I would be willing to resurrect the NTC newsletter. It did not take long for me to respond affirmatively. However, from the get-go, I took the decision that this new responsibility was also an opportunity. I began to think and pray about what students I could invite to join me in this initiative. I also asked experienced faculty members whom they thought would be capable of helping me in this capacity. In late August I began approaching a few reliable, capable and creative students and staff to join me in this journey. Almost every Friday over the last six weeks we have met and worked faithfully on this project. We have confidence that we will achieve our goal in the time frame we had planned for, producing and distributing the newsletter by the middle of this month, “Inshaala” (God willing).  There is an African proverb that says, "If you wan to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together."  While in some ways getting the job done might be quicker or easier doing it myself, I hope that together we can take this project much further than it would go with just me.  Actually sharing the burden and working as a team, dividing up the work, has been a real joy.  We have accomplished much in a short time.  A year from now the students will need to create the newsletter without me as we will be in the US for several months, so I am preparing them now for my absence.     

As I have learned over the years, we cannot give what we have not received, and Christianity is more often “caught” than “taught.” When Jesus walked the dusty roads of Galilee with his disciples, when he sat and had countless meals with the twelve and other followers, the simple act of him being with them was as important as His teaching and preaching the Kingdom of God. In my role at Nile Theological College (NTC), my title is “Ustaz” (teacher), or sometimes people use bigger titles like lecturer, professor, or even “Ustaz Kebiir” (Great Teacher). While I cannot exactly reject these titles because they befit my official role, I also see myself as a brother, friend and mentor to my students. When I am able, I choose to eat with students which sometimes raises questions and at times means that I do not eat the same quality of food as the faculty, though on most days we all eat the same thing, beans and bread.[1]

Our NTC Newsletter Team (our first meeting!)  

As important as it is to physically produce the newsletter to share with partners both here and abroad, I view this new responsibility as a meaningful opportunity to connect more deeply and meaningfully with several students and one staff member. My hope is to not only share and model important skills regarding leadership and planning, but also to simply enjoy the gift of fellowship and connection with them. At the end of the semester we will take some time to evaluate our work and then go enjoy a meal together. 

Peter Ayul, NTC librarian, is a faithful ministry partner and member of our Newsletter Team
(pictured together in our home, October 2017)

Through the course of my Christian walk, I feel that God has blessed me with many mentors who have invested in me, taking time to not only include me in their ministry but also to include me in their personal lives, sharing their joys and their vulnerabilities. People like Rev. Marty Loberg, my college pastor who nurtured my embryonic faith in college and who introduced me to movies like Chariots of Fire, Revs. Ben and Christy Pierce who not only helped me discern a path into ordained ministry and a future of service in Africa, but who simply became committed friends who constantly encouraged me and genuinely cared about me, Antoine Rutayisire in Rwanda who not only modeled strong yet humble leadership and the art of preaching, but also invited me to live in his home with he and his family for an entire year. Several others also come to mind who have literally shaped me and helped me to become who I am today. 

 Yes, I am “Ustaz,” I teach Contextual Theology, Church History, Evangelism, Spiritual Formation and other courses. Yet, I am also brother, friend and mentor. If I do not take the time to get to know my students, to show them loving care and concern, to be open with the about my life, professionally and personally, sharing both joys and vulnerabilities, modeling what has been faithfully modeled to me, also spending extra time with them on projects like our newsletter or helping them learn new songs to make chapel more lively (albeit I am a terrible singer!), I am not sure what legacy I will leave.  Mentoring and friendship, giving what I have received, doing life together knowing that faith is more often “caught” than “taught,” these are principles and values I associate with God’s calling on my life. I covet your prayers for deeper connection and relationships with students, also strong relationships with fellow faculty members and staff.

[1] As may know, African cultures are intensely hierarchical, meaning that there are strong distinctions between different sets and categories of persons which usually enforce rigid boundaries, dictating behavior. I have noticed how jarring this cultural reality is for Americans who, like myself, value equality and egalitarianism. While I have to some degree begun breaking some of the norms/cultural rules, the rules which are worth breaking(!), I appreciate that the staff and faculty at NTC has not censured me and supports me eating with students. And the students, well of course they are enamored and enthralled to have “Ustaz Kebiir” come sit and eat with them.