We have very busy the past few days: unpacking and getting set up in our apartment; buying initial groceries; supporting the other visiting faculty (including handing mosquito nets, installing a clothes rod, repairing a refrigerator; more importantly, arranging for an orientation).
I got a surprise at the orientation session. Based on prior email communications, I came prepared to teach New Testament Theology. Now, they have decided that they would rather have me teach Biblical Hermeneutics (the science and art of interpretation). I taught that course here in January 2008, but I brought none of the materials with me and the syllabi I left behind have disappeared! So I am working to “resurrect” the course this weekend.
Darlene is grappling at the moment with the fact that she has 74 students enrolled in her class on Physical Assessment. We just checked out the assigned classroom, and it has only 66 chairs (and room for no more!). She also needs 74 copies of her syllabus materials by 8 am on Monday, and all the offices are closed over the weekend.
We are here with a sizable group of visiting faculty: Mark and Mary Ann Abbot from Seattle; Karen and Nelson Hill as well as Carol Vitolins from Rochester, NY; Wayne and Barbara Vibberts as well as Barbara Rose from Spring Arbor, Michigan. Thank the Lord: everyone arrived safely and well, as did all of our luggage (including the keyboard!).
Per a tradition which has developed here, we “ex-pats” go out for dinner together on Friday evenings. Last night, we did a communal meal of three kinds of salad, four pizzas and various soft drinks. The cost per person, including the tip was 11, 000 Bf (= Burundi francs); at the current exchange rate, that’s $8.09.
The past two nights, we have had torrential rain storms, lasting for hours, along with thunder, lightning and wind. The electrical power has been off about as much as it has been on. The Vibberts and McCowns, who are living in the two guest apartments, have had consistent water. But the other visiting faculty who are living together in a 4-bedroom house on campus have only had water for about 4 hours per day.
As they say here, in French: C’est la vie (= That’s life)!
I got a surprise at the orientation session. Based on prior email communications, I came prepared to teach New Testament Theology. Now, they have decided that they would rather have me teach Biblical Hermeneutics (the science and art of interpretation). I taught that course here in January 2008, but I brought none of the materials with me and the syllabi I left behind have disappeared! So I am working to “resurrect” the course this weekend.
Darlene is grappling at the moment with the fact that she has 74 students enrolled in her class on Physical Assessment. We just checked out the assigned classroom, and it has only 66 chairs (and room for no more!). She also needs 74 copies of her syllabus materials by 8 am on Monday, and all the offices are closed over the weekend.
We are here with a sizable group of visiting faculty: Mark and Mary Ann Abbot from Seattle; Karen and Nelson Hill as well as Carol Vitolins from Rochester, NY; Wayne and Barbara Vibberts as well as Barbara Rose from Spring Arbor, Michigan. Thank the Lord: everyone arrived safely and well, as did all of our luggage (including the keyboard!).
Per a tradition which has developed here, we “ex-pats” go out for dinner together on Friday evenings. Last night, we did a communal meal of three kinds of salad, four pizzas and various soft drinks. The cost per person, including the tip was 11, 000 Bf (= Burundi francs); at the current exchange rate, that’s $8.09.
The past two nights, we have had torrential rain storms, lasting for hours, along with thunder, lightning and wind. The electrical power has been off about as much as it has been on. The Vibberts and McCowns, who are living in the two guest apartments, have had consistent water. But the other visiting faculty who are living together in a 4-bedroom house on campus have only had water for about 4 hours per day.
As they say here, in French: C’est la vie (= That’s life)!
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