ADVENTISM EUROPE IN 21ST CENTURY - ALUMNI MAGAZINE - Newbold College of Higher Education
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ALUMNI MAGAZINE
2019
ADVENTISM
IN 21 CENTURY
ST
EUROPE
Delegates from across the Trans-European Division met to explore
the concept of rediscovering Adventist identity and mission in Europe
Maximising teaching and learning Forgiveness and community-building Accessibility of Adventist education
The Newboldian is a magazine FROM THE EDITOR:
for alumni and friends of The Newbold Alumni Association is pleased to present the 2019 issue of The Newboldian.
We hope that you enjoy what it contains, and encourage you to stay in touch to find out
Newbold College of Higher Education the latest news and events for alumni and friends of the College.
You can contact us to share your story or photographs, or to share your opinion about any
of the content in this issue, by contacting the editor at alumni@newbold.ac.uk.
Letters to the Editor may be considered for publication.
To update your address or subscription preferences please visit newbold.ac.uk/newboldian
We are also excited to commence planning the 120 Years of Newbold celebration in 2021, which
will include an all-decades reunion in May 2021. Visit our website to sign up for more information
as it becomes available: newbold.ac.uk/alumni-reunions
Kirsty Watkins
EDITORIAL TEAM:
06 ADVENTISM IN
21ST CENTURY EUROPE
09
Kirsty WATKINS (Editor)
Bisser STOYKOV
Clive MALCOLM
Designed by Galya GEORGIEVA I motif.media BIBLE NARRATIVES
IN POPULAR CULTURE
14
ON THE COVER
Adventism in 21st Century Europe:
a Division-wide Bible Conference explored ideas
related to rediscovering Adventist identity in
21st century Europe.
BELIEVING AND ACHIEVING
CHURCH GROWTH
16
Cover photography by Asun OLIVAN
FORGIVENESS AND
COMMUNITY-BUILDING
20
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR
LEARNING AND TEACHING
EXPERIENCES
24
BECOMING EUROPEAN:
THE TRANS-EUROPEAN
DIVISION AT 90
28 NEWBOLD
ACADEMIC PRESS
33 KEEPING ADVENTIST
CONT
EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed
in this publications are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the official position of
Newbold College of Higher Education. While all
reasonable efforts have been made to ensure
that information included in this publication is
accurate, it is possible that details may have
changed since printing.
© Newbold College of Higher Education
02
The Newboldian | 2019
RECONNECT AND REUNITE
WITH YOUR CLASSMATES
1970s Reunion in 2018
Follow the
Newbold Alumni Association on Facebook
at facebook.com/newboldalumniassociation
to keep up to date with news
about upcoming events.
newbold.ac.uk/alumni-reunions
1960s Reunion in 2017 1960s Reunion in 2013
1980s Reunion: 2-4 August 2019
1990s Reunion: 7-9 August 2020
120 Years of Newbold Reunion Event: 28-30 May 2021
ENTS 03
Dear Newboldians,
As we begin to contemplate the 120th anniversary in 2021 of the founding of our current institution
as Duncombe Hall in London, it is fitting that this issue of The Newboldian should reflect on
elements of the contribution the College has made over so many years as a resource to the Church
membership, to the local community and to the wider academic world – as well as how it
continues to attract students each year from around the globe to our multi-ethnic, multi-racial and
multi-cultural campus. By way of just a very few examples, in the following pages you will find
articles about the contribution of the Murdoch family; our ongoing Evangelism and Church
Growth symposia; our Diversity Centre; Newbold Academic Press; and our recent hosting of the
Trans-European Division’s own 90th anniversary celebrations and its three-day Bible Conference.
We constantly seek ways of ensuring that the College is fit for purpose, not only as a provider of
higher education but also as a centre for spiritual and lifestyle development. To this end, we have
been working with an external consultancy to launch a serious fundraising drive; we have
completed phase one of the renovations to our Sports Hall/Auditorium, with the next stages
already underway; and the ground floor of Moor Close is becoming a sensitively and carefully
renewed area for student spiritual and social engagement, Church and community conferences
and seminars, and appropriate family celebrations. Many of those who visit the campus express
delight at the completed and planned refurbishments that they are able to see for themselves.
Permit me to share a small selection of comments and observations from external individuals
upon whom our students and staff have made a most positive recent impression:
• “The refurbished Sports Hall/Auditorium is probably the best facility
of its kind in the whole of Berkshire.” (A Bracknell Forest councillor after
my addressing the annual Binfield Parish meeting to thank parishioners
for their financial contribution)
• “I continue to be impressed by the exemplary quality of teaching,
learning and assessment of Biblical Studies at Newbold … I have
absolutely no doubt that Newbold continues to maintain a gold
standard for teaching Biblical Studies in this country.” (An external
examiner appointed by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David)
• “A big thank-you for allowing us to use your venue last month [as a
polling station] for the [local and European] elections.” (Democratic
and Registration Services, Bracknell Forest Council)
• “Thank you for providing such a magnificent venue, and for your
kindness and care throughout the day. Many people commented on
what a ‘hidden gem’ Newbold is.” (The South-East England Faiths Forum)
Whether you are a former student or a friend of the College, thank you for your support as
together we ensure that Newbold continues to be more than a mere place of learning.
Dr John Baildam
PRINCIPAL
04
The Newboldian | 2019
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
05
ADVENTISM
IN 21ST CENTURY EUROPE
Delegates from across the Trans-European Division met to explore the concept of rediscovering
Adventist identity and mission in Europe.
T
he Trans-European Division (TED) This was an interactive conference
held its annual Bible conference at where delegates were encouraged to
Newbold, 16-20 June. The three- share their thoughts, to ‘think again’, to
OUR CHURCH HAS CHANGED not only consider “present truth” in
day event, titled Adventism of/for
SIGNIFICANTLY AS THE WORLD terms of Adventist theology, but in terms
21st-Century Europe, comprised
HAS CHANGED SINCE THE of the realities of life in today’s Europe.
plenary sessions featuring keynote
INCEPTION OF THE MOVEMENT. In essence, they were being asked how
speakers Dr Denis Fortin and Dr
Adventists should respond to an
Wagner Kuhn from Andrews University, “The Church in 21st-century Europe is increasingly secular Europe where
USA; Dr Daniel Duda, Education different to the Church in 19th-century church attendance is in decline. Equally
Director at the TED; Dr Artur Stele, America, so we have to deal with importantly, how can Adventists
General Vice President of the General change.” His words were echoed by Dr connect with Millennials, Generation Z
Conference of the Seventh-day Daniel Duda during his discourse on (also known as screenagers) and
Adventist Church; and Newbold Adventist identity: “We are not going to people in their communities, and what
lecturers Dr Tihomir Lazić and Dr Ján understand Adventist identity unless we can the Church offer to ordinary men
Barna. Other presenters, including understand the world in which it was and women on the streets of Tallinn,
Dorothea Relić, a Theology student at born” – which was an era of slavery, Belgrade, Paris or London?
Newbold, conducted workshops in the mass migration and settlement, the
afternoons. Pastor Raafat Kamal, American Civil War and religious
President of the TED, got the conference awakening. “Adventism was born out
underway with the thought-provoking of rethinking,” Dr Duda elaborated,
question: “Are we still relevant for and he continued, “New patterns of
21st-century Europe?” HOW CAN THE CHURCH
thinking will always cause a crisis of IN EUROPE BE UNITED WITH
“Our Church has changed significantly faith and crisis of identity,” signalling
SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLETELY
as the world has changed since the that Adventists should not be afraid to
think again, to step outside their DIFFERENT IN BRAZIL,
inception of the movement,” said Dr
Tihomir Lazić, lecturer in Theology, comfort zones to rediscover their NORTH AMERICA OR AFRICA?
during the plenary session. identity and mission.
06
The Newboldian | 2019
Dr Lazić raised the question of unity.
“How can the Church in Europe be
united with something that is completely
ADVENTISM IN 21ST CENTURY EUROPE
different in Brazil, North America or
Africa?” he asked, before describing
the Church as a complex community,
which “takes a lot of wisdom and
frustration to get it together, to make it
work like a symphonic orchestra –
getting all those instruments, which
sound so different, to work together”.
He introduced the delegates to the
theological concept of koinonia, which
means to have an intimate relationship
with God and Christian fellowship with
others, and explained how it works to
unite humanity with Christ. Summarising,
Dr Lazić stated it is important to have
the right doctrine “because the right
doctrine leads to koinonia”, which
means “we won’t need to sell the
Church nor advertise it because people
will want to be a part of it”.
NEW PATTERNS OF THINKING
WILL ALWAYS CAUSE A CRISIS OF
FAITH AND CRISIS OF IDENTITY.
The Bible conference provided an ideal
setting for delegates to learn about
major issues that have impacted and, in
some instances, continue to impact
Adventism. Dr Ján Barna, Senior
Lecturer in Systematic and Biblical
Theology at Newbold, addressed the
complex issue of perfectionist theology
in Adventism. Unravelling its origins, he
showed how Wesleyan perfectionism,
a view held by the 18th-century
Anglican clergyman and theologian
John Wesley, was inherited by early
Adventism. He spoke about the
Keswick Movement of the late 1800s,
which promoted the idea of ‘holiness by
faith’ as “being the act of complete
surrender to God’s will”, which, in
theory, allows God to “suppress the sin
within us” to make us perfect. Quoting
Philippians 3:12-16 from the Bible, Dr
Barna warned, “Perfectionism not only
messes up our theology of salvation
and spoils the individual Christian’s
experience, it also messes up
koinonia.” He said some people
misinterpret passages from the Bible
and portions of text from Ellen White’s
writings to validate their position on
07
perfectionism. “Look into the context He continued, “It’s not coffee that “in such a beautiful way” that people
first,” Dr Barna advised. “Read Chapter attracts young people to Starbucks!” Dr will stop to listen.
47 of Ellen G. White’s Prophets and Stele described the challenges of post- This year’s Bible conference gave
Kings. It is the most systematic piece on modern thinking where people, being delegates the chance to gain fresh
perfection.” less willing to accept God’s Word, perspectives about Adventism and
argue that “there is no universal truth” reignite a sense of urgency in fulfilling
and that “[biblical] text has many the Church’s mission to “make disciples
meanings”. He also pointed out that post- of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Pastor
modern young people are “against Elliott Williams aptly summed up the
OUR BELIEF IN THE SCRIPTURES IS structure” and they have become purpose of the conference as he spoke
A RESULT OF FAITH, AND GOD detached and weary of the Church’s about his workshop on Ellen G. White:
HAS PROVIDED ENOUGH department leaders and division “Our belief in the Scriptures is a result of
EVIDENCE ON WHICH WE CAN presidents. “We have to find a way to faith, and God has provided enough
make structure serve people,” said Dr
REST OUR FAITH. evidence on which we can rest our
Stele, adding that Adventists need to faith.”
find ways to present the Gospel
Quoting Christian author Steve author: Clive Malcolm
Mansfield, Dr Artur Stele, in his photography: Victor Hulbert
presentation “The Emerging/Emergent
Church Movement: Lessons We Can
Learn for Mission”, said, “Young WE ARE NOT GOING TO UNDER-
people are voting with their feet. The
STAND ADVENTIST IDENTITY
next generation is not going to church.
For the most part, they are going to the UNLESS WE UNDERSTAND THE
First Church of Starbucks.” WORLD IN WHICH IT WAS BORN.
08
The Newboldian | 2019
BIBLE
NARRATIVES
IN POPULAR
CULTURE
João Macedo discusses biblical themes
in television dramas and movies.
photography: kisspng.com
J
oão Macedo, a postgraduate “I studied the biblical account of the they don’t have the end of that narrative
student at Newbold, likes to think triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in mind. When we read the Gospels
outside the box when analysing and compared it to the Red Wedding from beginning to end, we tend to
biblical narratives. In his Master’s scene from one of the episodes of forget that Jesus is going to die – a
dissertation, entitled The Rains of Game of Thrones,” says João. “I saw phenomenon called ‘suspension of
Jerusalem: Game of Thrones and thematic links between the two and disbelief’ – even if we know he will.
Fanfiction as an Interpretational decided to focus on people’s reaction “In Game of Thrones, the whole Red
Framework for the Gospels, João to the Red Wedding scene in order to Wedding episode builds up the
explores the “intertextual dialogue” propose how people might have viewers’ expectations. They believe the
between the Bible and the HBO (Home reacted to the narrative found in the main character is going to become the
Box Office) fantasy television drama Gospel of Mark. My assumption is that king, but then he dies suddenly. I take
Game of Thrones. when people experience a narrative, the view that the triumphal entry of
photography: HBO (Game of Thrones)
09
Jesus into Jerusalem works in the same lot has been written about movies such
way. Mark’s account of Christ’s entry as Noah or Exodus: Gods and Kings.”
into Jerusalem makes us believe that For João, the most significant contribu-
Jesus is going to succeed, and that he is tion to his dissertation lies somewhere
going to become a triumphal, earthly else. “I think what is really new is the
king, but then he is killed unexpectedly. way I tried to integrate biblical studies
The goal of my dissertation was to and fan studies to see how people read
consider and reflect on how people popular culture narratives. I propose
reacted to both stories.” that the way people experience these
narratives can enlighten the way we
interpret a biblical text and possibly
show us how the text was experienced
I STUDIED by its original audience. This is definitely
THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF a new approach to looking at the
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY Bible,” he explains.
OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM Last year, João presented the final
AND COMPARED IT TO chapters of his dissertation at the eighth
THE RED WEDDING SCENE FROM annual Bible, Critical Theory and
ONE OF THE EPISODES OF Reception Seminar (conference) in
GAME OF THRONES. London. “When you’re preparing a
paper for a conference, you feel
João acknowledges that Game of nervous because you want to get it
Thrones, based on the A Song of Ice right, but it’s not about getting it right,
and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin, it’s about presenting your ideas and
is an unusual subject for a biblical being challenged by the questions
studies dissertation. “Game of Thrones people ask. Their questions make you
can be defined by what is known as an go back to the drawing board and think
allusion, or an analogue, of the Bible. about the points they raised, which in
So, there isn’t necessarily a direct turn makes your dissertation much
connection to biblical text, but stronger. It’s a dialogical process in
there are aspects that might remind us academia and many students aren’t
of the Bible.” He argues, however, that aware that they can be part of that
studying the interactions between the process. It goes beyond writing essays,
Bible and movies or TV series is not getting the grades and going into
something entirely new. “The so-called ministry. It’s a way of sharpening your
‘Bible and film scholars’ started long ideas.”
ago by studying films such as Bible João is keen to point out that, like most
epics from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, people, he enjoys watching movies
which retold biblical stories. When and television series, reading books
those were exhausted, they began to and listening to music. He says, “A lot of
analyse biblical themes such as the fight people watch TV dramas and movies,
between good and evil, which began and these serve as big points of contact
to materialise in movies such as The when relating the Bible to film, music or
Matrix or Star Wars. More recently, a something else. You find common
10The Newboldian | 2019
ground whenever you interact with João recently completed a Postgra-
popular culture in this way. In fact, duate Certificate in Ministry and
many pastors have been doing this for Mission in addition to his MA Theology
BIBLE NARRATIVES
a long time through sermons. They and he is looking forward to getting
incorporate illustrations from poetry, involved with an urban ministry project
books and movies. So, it’s not that in London. Summarising his thoughts,
different from what we’ve been doing he concludes, “I see part of my ministry
to date. Popular culture was kept as being connected to popular culture,
outside the sphere of biblical interpreta- not necessarily from the pulpit, but
tion for a very long time, but it’s here through Bible studies, having a blog
now and it’s keeping the field alive and online and creating a series of videos,
interesting. using things that interact with young
“The thing with all of these different art people, and hopefully spreading the
forms is they’re produced by creative gospel. Right now, I think the prospects
people who tend to think outside the are very interesting.”
box, so when you’re engaging with author: Clive Malcom
their work, you’re also forced to push
yourself outside the box. For example, I
led the Campus Ministries Bible and
Pizza programme at Newbold. I used a
Bible study guide by the British artist
Siku (Ajibayo Akinsiku). It’s a
comic-strip Bible study guide that forces
you to be very creative in the way you
present topics. We approached topics
from different angles each week and
people engaged with the Bible in a
completely different way, and they
enjoyed it. I know some people may
not share my views, but I believe in
‘present truth’, and wrapped in the
concept of present truth is trying to be
relevant right now in the culture in which
we live.”
m
.co
ato
nv
:e
hy
ap
I THINK WHAT IS REALLY NEW IS THE
gr
oto
WAY I TRIED TO INTEGRATE BIBLICAL
ph
STUDIES AND FAN STUDIES TO SEE
think
HOW PEOPLE READ POPULAR
CULTURE NARRATIVES. I PROPOSE
THAT THE WAY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE
THESE NARRATIVES CAN ENLIGHTEN
THE WAY WE INTERPRET A BIBLICAL
outside
TEXT AND POSSIBLY SHOW US HOW
THE TEXT WAS EXPERIENCED BY ITS
ORIGINAL AUDIENCE. THIS IS
DEFINITELY A NEW APPROACH TO
box
LOOKING AT THE BIBLE.
the
1112
The Newboldian | 2019
MY NEWBOLD
Finn Knauss
University Year in England, United States
“THE UNYE PROGRAMME IS A FANTASTIC COURSE TO TAKE.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHOOSE FROM AN EXTREMELY DIVERSE
SELECTION OF MODULES AND SELECT THE PATH
THAT SUITS MY INTERESTS.”
Studying in the UK is an amazing experience. I am able to study in and around
the historical places I am learning about — it is a truly immersive educational
environment. Being surrounded by so many cultures has also broadened my
worldview and I can see myself becoming the person I want to be here.
The UNYE programme has been the first step in a lifelong adventure. It has
helped me define what career I want to pursue and has given me so many
opportunities to learn and experience new things. This year has been an amazing
foundation for all my learning to come and has helped develop me in so many
ways.
photography: Asun Olivan
13BELIEVING
AND ACHIEVING
CHURCH GROWTH
Europe is heading towards a post-Christian society, with fewer people
attending church services and many saying they have no religious affiliation.
However, evangelist Pastor Mark Finley says there is a worldwide spiritual
longing that is being awakened and churches can grow if they have a mindset
for growth. We talked to Pr Finley at the 2018 Evangelism and Church Growth
Symposium to find out more.
You say social dynamics are So, we’re living in what some call the
changing in the world and there ‘post-Christian era’ in Europe, but I
is a spiritual longing that is being
awakened. How did you come to believe there are signs of hope. Firstly,
this conclusion? people are becoming disillusioned.
When we look at the Book of Acts, we They’re saying, “Is this all there is?”
see that the first century is not much Secondly, in a technological society of
different to the 21st century in that iPhones, Facebook, Netflix and so on,
Roman society was secular, even people are beginning to feel almost like
though they had pagan gods. It was a mechanised machines. There is a
materialistic, sports-mad, pleasure- depersonalisation that leads to a
seeking society. It was an anti-Christian hunger for personal relationships. So, I
society, but the Spirit of God was at think, in Christ, we have a wonderful
work, which is why I always encourage opportunity to develop personal
people to pray and emphasise the fact relationships with people.
that church growth is spiritual work.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has put
“eternity in the human heart”. When I
travel the world, one of the things I see
WHERE IS GOD, AND IF GOD IS is a new longing for spirituality.
THERE, WHY DID WE HAVE THE Materialism has failed and godlessness
SECOND WORLD WAR? has failed. When you look at it, people
After the Second World War, the are becoming sick of pleasure. In many
concept of agnosticism began to take instances, they are living a party life for
root in British society – not atheism, but pleasure, yet there remains an
agnosticism. People began to ask, emptiness within. People are
“Where is God, and if God is there, dissatisfied. They are saying, “I have a
why did we have the Second World good job, a nice home, a good car, but
War?” Many concluded that God I don’t feel satisfied. Why?” They may
doesn’t care, and generations have not want religion, they may not want a
been brought up with this philosophy. church, but there is a spiritual desire for
photography: envato.com Europe had to fight for survival and something more in their life. I believe
built new, wealthy, industrialised this is an excellent opportunity to
societies. Then you have the influence present the holistic message of Jesus
of Darwinian evolution, Freudian Christ, which covers the physical,
psychology and modern philosophies. mental, social and spiritual being.
14The Newboldian | 2019
Why do you describe evangelism Does having a mindset for Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful,” but
as multifaceted outreach? growth really work? his disciples did not see a plentiful
When you look at Matthew 4:23, We carried out studies inside and harvest. In John chapter 4, Jesus’s
EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH
where Jesus goes to every village outside of the Adventist Church and disciples only saw resistance in
preaching, teaching and healing, you found that if you do not believe your Samaria, but Jesus said the harvest was
see the holistic ministry of Christ. He met church can grow, it’s unlikely that it will plentiful. We may not see it today, but
people’s social, emotional and grow. Pastors who have growing the harvest in Europe is plentiful. That’s
physical needs, which is a compre- churches have a mindset for growth. why I want to help churches develop a
hensive approach to ministry. Early in They realise that saving human beings is mindset for growth.
my ministry, I grasped this, but I didn’t a passion in the heart of God. They
know how to implement it. However, as realise that it is God’s will for people to Men and women today are looking for
the years passed, I began to put be saved and come to a knowledge of relationships and better health, and
everything together in public the truth in His Word. The Holy Spirit is many are seeking these things through
evangelism, and now we’re doing it out already working on people’s hearts social media, but there is a strong
of our local church where we’ve built a and guides us to develop new eyes – desire for certainty. In an uncertain
centre for health, healing and ministry, eyes to see people that are longing for world, people want certainty, and
and we’re really excited about it. Jesus. Adventists can offer that. I don’t see the
demise of Christianity in Europe
because Jesus said, in Matthew 16:18,
“I will build my Church and the gates of
hell will not prevail against it.” So, I’m
very hopeful about the future of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church and the
future of Christianity in Europe.
REGISTER author: Clive Malcolm
NOW
FOR THE EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH
SYMPOSIUM
NEWBOLD
AT , August 2019
photography: Clive Malcolm
NEWBOLD.AC.UK/EVANGELISM-CHURCH-GROWTH
Participants of the 2018 Evangelism and Church Growth Symposium.
15FORGIVENESS
AND COMMUNITY - BUILDING
IF I HAD EXPERIENCED
EVERYTHING PATRICK HAS
Jo BERRY EXPERIENCED, WOULD I HAVE
MADE THE SAME DECISION?
Jo travelled to Northern Ireland,
meeting others from ‘victim’ families on
I
n October 1984, Patrick Magee various acts of terror and atrocity – not both sides and constantly trying to
planted the Irish Republican Army just in Ireland but in Rwanda and former understand terrorists – what do they
(IRA) bomb that killed Jo Berry’s Yugoslavia, in Norway with Anders think or feel as they murder others?
father, the British politician Sir Antony Behring Breivik, in the UK with the Slowly the idea of meeting her father’s
Berry. That event created a relation- murder of Jo Cox, and most recently in murderer grew in her mind, and
ship between Jo and Patrick that could New Zealand. All these conflicts left eventually the invitation was sent and
have led to a lifelong hatred. Instead, behind human lives full of pain, quickly rejected – three times. Eventually,
the two have been on a journey ignored as media attention moves on to sixteen years after the bombing, came
together that has led to them sharing the next drama. the chance to meet Patrick. Jo was busy
over 300 platforms around the world when the offer came and her very
Jo began her journey of reconciliation
and promoting the idea that bridges of human response was, “I’m not sure I’m
entirely alone, simply curious about
forgiveness can be built between in the mood!”
“why the IRA used violence” and
perpetrators and victims. “trusting that somehow, life would give But she went. This retelling couldn’t
At the Newbold Diversity Centre’s April me experiences”. And it did. First she possibly do justice to Jo’s story of
lecture, Jo shared the story of her met an Irish taxi driver whose brother meeting her father’s murderer. You can
journey, starting out as a young pacifist had been killed by someone on ‘her hear in Jo’s own words of the thoughts
who, before the night of her father’s side’ – a British soldier. The conversa- and questions that went through her
murder, had “felt like a free spirit”. tion gave her the belief that people who mind, and her description of a high
These days she has a global career should have been enemies could interpersonal drama as two strangers
facilitating and teaching peace- communicate. Jo began to believe that navigated the distances and barriers
making, reconciliation and restorative she could “build a bridge across the between them and came to recognise a
justice. Her talk, and the question- divide… the conversation made me feel measure of mutual humanity, at:
and-answer session that followed, I had done something”. bit.ly/jo-berry.
16The Newboldian | 2019
This was not a story minimising or It’s about recognising anger and
cheapening the challenges of such a changing our response. WHEN PEOPLE ARE RIGHTEOUS,
DIVERSITY LECTURE
relationship. Both participants had THEY THINK THEY ARE RIGHT AND
stepped onto what Jo describes as an What about the place of feelings in
BLAME OTHERS.
emotional roller coaster. Patrick forgiveness? Feeling anger at the
apparently went to a library to find a injustice done to her and her family was To conclude her talk, Jo came back to
book about what to do when you meet a definite part of Jo’s journey. “All the real world – the world of Brexit
the daughter of someone you have feelings are understandable,” she says. disagreements, the world of knife
killed! There are still times when Patrick “What matters is what we do with crime, where kids she has met at
wants to go back and justify what he them… Some people have to do a lot of London schools say they feel less safe.
did, and Jo still finds it hard to listen to emotional work… it can be really hard.” “What we need are safe places around
him do that. But they talk about it again. She should know! the country where people listen and
The progress of the relationship, the offer dignity and respect to each other.
So has Jo experienced forgiveness? What we need is a policy of cups of tea
effects on Jo’s children – all have been
She claims she is still learning. In fact, with the other,” she said.
explored on their journey. Eventually Jo
she has doubts about the use of the
asked herself, “If I had experienced
word ‘forgiveness’, which suggests a In the question-and-answer session
everything Patrick has experienced,
power imbalance between the following her talk, Jo covered topics of
would I have made the same
‘forgiver’ and the ‘forgiven’. Her forgiveness on a personal and national
decision?” Her answer? “Every time I
concern is for the development of a scale, of not letting people walk all
suspend judgement, open my heart
community that moves from having over us, of the effect her work has on
and become present to the other
power over others to sharing and her health, of the difficulties of owning
person, I see that I would make the
working together. She works for a and taking responsibility for our own
same choice and there is nothing to
community where all needs are met feelings, and of the prejudice that
forgive.” As Jo travels to Rwanda and
and people give up being what she seems to be passed on from one
other places, this process – of coming
calls ‘righteous’. “When people are generation to another. She responded
to a recognition of common humanity in
righteous, they think they are right and to one question with one of her most
both sides of a reconciliation – has
blame others,” she says. In the world memorable quotations: “Revenge is like
become a recurrent experience.
that Jo dreams of, whether we are drinking poison and hoping someone
Jo makes no claim that she is now believers or not, everyone can find their else will die!” It is our hope that
incapable of getting angry and hurting own way to give up blaming and members of the wider Newbold
people. “It is hard. I still get angry and punishing people and will learn to see community will be drinking tea
want to blame someone else,” she said. people in their full humanity. together, not poison!
author: Helen Pearson
photography: Victor Hulbert
17Caroline Lacoma
BA Biblical and Pastoral Studies, Guadeloupe
“I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO EXPAND
MY KNOWLEDGE AND VIEWS ON DIFFERENT
BIBLICAL NARRATIVES AND THE CONTEXT
IN WHICH THEY WERE WRITTEN.
THE BIBLICAL AND PASTORAL STUDIES COURSE
AT NEWBOLD SEEMED TO BE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO DO THIS.”
My time in the UK has been a constant growing experience. I arrived in the UK
when I was 20, having never lived abroad before. I spent a year in Newbold’s
English Language Centre and am one year into my undergraduate studies. In the
two years that I have been here I have met a myriad of people from different
cultures and have had the opportunity to learn more about myself and about the
world.
I believe that my studies at Newbold and the time I have spent living abroad will
have prepared me for ministry, and shaped me into a woman who is more
experienced, and ready to face the challenges of the years ahead.
I was positively surprised to discover that the Theology department at Newbold
has high expectations of its students, and the studies call for a lot of work and
personal commitment. To study at Newbold, especially full-time, is a life-
changing experience. Newbold is full of surprises, so if you choose to come, get
ready for the ride!
photography: Asun Olivan
18The Newboldian | 2019
MY NEWBOLD
19HOW TO MAKE THE MOST
OF YOUR LEARNING AND
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
L
earning is an active process and to
learn effectively we have to
understand and make meaning of the
information we receive. Indeed, “only
the information that has been structured
and organised by the student can be
used in real life”.1 This means that the
student may take ownership of his/her
learning; however, the teacher also has
to provide a guiding role and support the
student through the process.
Many theories have been developed to
understand teacher-student interaction –
how to provide guidance and how
learning works – and as an English as a
Foreign Language (EFL) teacher, I find it
interesting to identify these theories and
link them to the strategies that I use in
my teaching to help the student to learn
more effectively. Teaching and learning
are, of course, processes that go
beyond these theories, but in this article
I would like to take the opportunity to
highlight the important role the theories
play and how they reflect different
teaching styles and approaches.
ONLY THE INFORMATION THAT
HAS BEEN STRUCTURED AND
ORGANISED BY THE STUDENT
CAN BE USED IN REAL LIFE
Firstly, I would like to talk about
behaviourism, a theory that focuses on
how external stimulation can affect and
change student learning behaviour.
Behaviourism suggests that learning
takes place step by step, often started
by the teacher and then strengthened
by repeated responses and
reinforcement. In other words, student
2
behaviour can change through a series 1
Petty, 2009 | 2 Reece and Walker, 2007
20The Newboldian | 2019
of actions such as demonstration,
repetition, memorisation, assessment
and continuous feedback of what is
LEARNING AND TEACHING
“right” or “wrong”.3 A change in
behaviour may be, for example,
a Russian speaker learning to correctly
pronounce the sound /æ/ in ‘man’
rather than as /mεn/. This exercise
may involve demonstrating the correct
pronunciation, drilling the individual
sound, then the whole word, then the
word within a sentence… and then
repeating the process.
AS TEACHERS WE SHOULD
MODEL THE BEHAVIOURS
WE WOULD LIKE OUR LEARNERS
TO DISPLAY
Such change of behaviour is closely
related to Bandura’s theory of social
learning, also known as observational
learning.4 This suggests that the teacher
should demonstrate certain actions and
attitudes, such as how to pronounce a
word or how to remember irregular
verbs, and the student should imitate
these. The theory of social learning
states that “as teachers we should
model the behaviours we would like
our learners to display”.5 However, it
has been observed that learners are
more likely to copy a person they hold
in high esteem, suggesting that
teacher-student rapport is significant to
the learning process. In that regard,
social interactions can facilitate
successful learning.6
Compared to other approaches, the
behaviourist approach is more
teacher-centred. It is often, but not
solely, applied to lower-level learners,
for instance beginner and elementary
students, due to the foundational
knowledge of language that they learn
at this stage.7 For example, when
learning a foreign language such as
photography: envato.com
German, the cause- and gender-based
articles and nouns require drilling and
repetition until etched into the daily use
3
Reece and Walker, 2007 | 4 Gould, 2012 | 5 Gould, 2012 | 6 Harkin et al., 2001 of the language. It is effective until
7
Reece and Walker, 2007
21learners become more familiar with the learning is being in the “Zone of advanced textbooks. As an example,
language and, as a consequence, Proximal Development“, or “working elementary EFL learners are introduced
more independent. collectively on an activity under the to prepositions of place early on in their
guidance of a more expert or adept course, and then they revisit them with
At this point I would like to introduce a person”.9 more complexity when they reach
second theory, which is called pre-intermediate level.
cognitivism. While we can say that To compare behaviourism and
behaviourism places emphasis on cognitivism, we can also add that the
learner response, cognitivism focuses former breaks down learning into
on reflective thinking, “on the students components, while the latter requires that WORKING COLLECTIVELY ON AN
and how they gain and organise their we organise and re-organise facts and ACTIVITY UNDER THE GUIDANCE
knowledge”.8 For example, the teacher concepts in cognitive structures. 10 OF A MORE EXPERT OR ADEPT
may demonstrate the use of the past Another interesting aspect regards the PERSON.
perfect verb tense, but ask the students way these cognitive structures are
to explain the difference in use of the organised; for instance, Bruner coined The third main learning theory that
past simple, present perfect simple and the term spiral curriculum, which is “a unites behaviourism and cognitivism is
past perfect simple tenses. Besides, to way of organizing the learning humanism. This theory tries to maximise
further reinforce the correct use of the curriculum so that core concepts are learning as a personal act to fulfil the
verbs, the teacher may also ask the introduced at an early stage of a course learner’s potential for personal growth;
students to engage in a class discussion in a simplified way [behaviourist for this reason, humanism can be used
on a topic that requires the use of the approach], and then revisited one or to reinforce knowledge taught through
past tense. This method is used to more times to bring out their full behaviourism and cognitivism.12 This
develop independent critical thinking complexity [cognitivist approach]”.11 humanistic approach is particularly
and help the students to recognise This can be noticed especially when used in adult education, as many
different ways to use the language. In analysing the contents of EFL textbooks adults, who usually enrol onto a course
essence, cognitivism views the teacher from beginner to proficient level, where with specific goals, take more control
as the facilitator in the student’s we may notice a progression from over their learning.13
discovery of knowledge. According to simpler concepts or components to
Vygotsky’s belief, the key to successful more complex structures in the more
8
Reece and Walker, 2007, emphasis added | 9 Harkin et al., 2001 | 10 Avis et al., 2009
11
Avis et al., 2009 | 12 Reece and Walker, 2007, adapted | 13 Petty, 2009
22The Newboldian | 2019
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Humanism focuses on the individual’s motivation for learning takes place, latter with complete ownership of this
experience and motivation to learn, which is surely crucial for learning.15 knowledge. Although EFL teaching is
highlighting the importance of self- not limited to these three theories, they
development as an essential part of the To conclude, I would like to say that all provide a basis that is commonly used.
student’s goals. It can be said that, even these theories can be considered very Regardless of whether working with
within language learning, students useful and help us to enhance teaching, young or adult learners, these theories
progress from needing step-by-step and thereby learning. Behaviourism, help the teacher fulfil his/her role of
guidance (behaviourism) to critical cognitivism and humanism all play facilitating effective learning and
thinking (cognitivism) and eventually important roles in effective EFL ensuring learners reach their highest
self-actualisation (humanism), which, teaching. The first is more concerned potential.
according to Maslow’s hierarchy of with building foundations of knowledge
needs, is the highest human need.14 at early stages of learning, the second author: Miriam Stoykov
Indeed, when needs are met, intrinsic with structuring knowledge, and the English Language Centre
photography: Nikolay Stoykov
14
Maslow, 1943 | 15 Petty, 2009
REFERENCE LIST
Avis, J., Fisher, R. and Thompson, R. 2009. Harkin, J., Turner, G. and Dawn, T. 2001. Petty, G. 2009. Teaching Today: A Practical
Teaching in Lifelong Learning: A Guide to Theory Teaching Young Adults: A Handbook for Teachers Guide. 4th ed. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
and Practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press. in Post-Compulsory Education. Oxon: Reece, I. and Walker, S. 2007. Teaching,
RoutledgeFalmer. Training and Learning: A Practical Guide. 6th ed.
Gould, J. 2012. Learning Theory and Classroom
Practice in the Lifelong Learning Sector. Maslow, A.H. 1943. A Theory of Human Sunderland: Business Education Publishers Ltd.
2nd ed. London: Learning Matters. Motivation. Psychological Review 50,
pp. 370-396.
Available from: http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/
Maslow/motivation.htm
23BECOMING EUROPEAN:
THE TRANS - EUROPEAN
DIVISION AT 90
DR DAVID TRIM
T
here are three essentials for a Seminary near Darmstadt, Germany to the Great Depression, WWII, the Cold
good party: guests, a cake and a map out a future for the Adventist War, and the move from colonialism to
good speech. Leaders of the Trans- Church in Europe. At the time there was independence in its traditional mission
European Division (TED) found they just one European Division. However, territories – and with it has seen a
had all three in abundance when they Europe had a vision for mission and, strong and vibrant growth in national
gathered for a ninety-year celebration quite apart from evangelism within its leadership in those same territories.
on Saturday afternoon, 18 May 2019. own territories, was sending out Yet with all that, mission has always
missionaries to large swathes of Africa, been at the core. During the very first
Dr David Trim, historian and director of Asia and beyond. There was a strong
Archives at Seventh-day Adventist winter council following the formation
consciousness that, to improve mission, of the Division, leaders stated, “We
World Church headquarters, returned this single Division needed to divide.
to his alma mater, Newbold College of pledge ourselves under God to make
Higher Education, to present a lecture The result? On 31 December 1928 the every effort to carry the Advent
with the intriguing title, “Becoming European Division ceased to exist, Message to the many millions in the
European: The Trans-European Division replaced on New Year’s Day by the countries of the Northern European
after 90 years”. Southern European Division, the Division, including its large mission
Central European Division and the fields.”
To understand the title, you need to Northern European Division (NED). In Those mission territories for the NED
understand the history. the ninety years since then, the NED has were mainly in West Africa where, over
In August 1928 European Adventist gone through several name changes, the years, European Adventists
leaders, together with leaders of the various territory changes, and a supported in excess of one thousand
World Church, met at Marienhoehe change in focus. It has also lived through missionaries.
24The Newboldian | 2019
The church there grew strong, while, in decade those territories have also been Ultimately the lecture was about
more recent years, the European realigned elsewhere. For the first time in mission. The big questions for Dr Trim
‘mother church’ faced the new issues of its history, the TED is only European. were: “Are European Adventists in the
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION
growing secularism and materialism. Mission is now primarily focused within 21st century able to adjust to the
Growth rates at home slowed, except Europe and on the myriad challenges changes? Can the TED simply be
for those countries, such as the British facing the continent today. European? Can the Church here learn
Isles, that saw significant immigration. to thrive in the midst of secularism,
Reviewing a history lined with statistics
What is clear is that European and anecdotes, Dr Trim posed the apathy, and the ‘isms’ that seem to
Adventism, and particularly question, “Did church growth in mission surround it?”
Scandinavian and British Adventism, fields come at the expense of Perhaps, Dr Trim suggests, European
has historically had a significant impact evangelism in the home countries?” Adventism needs to focus its energies
on church growth in large swathes of With a challenging lesson for today he on being as fluent in the cultural
the world. Today the focus has asked, “Was as much effort put into languages of the Division as it once
changed. Territorial realignments mean translating Adventism into the cultural was in the languages of the mission
that what is now known as the language in Europe as it was in field – to truly focus its energies on
Trans-European Division no longer has Africa?” noting that the organised being European.
a mission territory outside of itself. institutional church did not invest as
Today the focus is on building mission in much into translating from American View Dr Trim’s full lecture at:
Europe. idiom into a European context. Part of https://youtu.be/cwHW78pfFQE
this was due to the fact that Europe was
To illustrate this, Dr Trim noted that
seen as ‘already Christian’. authors:
‘Europe’ has always been in the title but
that in the early days, passion for As Dr Trim works for the Office of Victor Hulbert with Helen Pearson
mission was focused on Africa, then Archives and Statistics, it is unsurprising
later on Asia. This was referenced via its that there was detailed analysis of
name changes – at one time it was trends in the Division, which show that
known as the Northern European West the original heartland of the Division in
Africa Division – then when finally it Scandinavia is gradually being
was changed to the Trans-European replaced by countries further south. Yet
Division, it still maintained mission the statistics that provide important
connections to South Sudan, the lessons are perhaps best seen in the
Middle East and Pakistan. In the last context of the full lecture.
photography: Victor Hulbert
2526
The Newboldian | 2019
MY NEWBOLD
Patrycja Niewolik
BS Business Studies, Poland
“WHEN I STARTED STUDYING BUSINESS AT NEWBOLD,
ONE OF THE VERY FIRST THINGS I RECEIVED
WAS GUIDANCE IN DEVISING A CAREER PATHWAY.
IT WAS A GREAT START AND IS A PROACTIVE WAY OF HELPING
STUDENTS THINK ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. ”
Along with this fantastic preparation, I was able to achieve what I had deemed
unachievable for a first-year student — I am extremely grateful for the opportunity
to undertake a one-year internship at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
I look forward to finalising my studies at Newbold, and I believe that the
knowledge I gained during my internship will only enhance my further learning
experiences, and help enhance my career opportunities.
photography: Nikolay Stoykov
27NEWBOLD
ACADEMIC PRESS
Newbold Academic Press was launched in November 2014,
with its first volume, titled Journeys to Wisdom (published in honour of Dr Michael Pearson),
appearing in March 2015. Since then Newbold Academic Press has published six volumes,
with a seventh currently in progress. Copies can be ordered online via amazon.co.uk
There Your Heart Will Be Born on a Mission: Journeys to Wisdom
Essays in Faith and Literature As I Remember… Festschrift in Honour of
(December 2016)
(July 2018)
Michael Pearson
Gordon Leah
(March 2015)
Derek Crowther Beardsell
Edited by Andreas Bochmann,
“Because in our weakness we have Manuela Casti Yeagley and
Derek Crowther Beardsell (1934-2012) Jean-Claude Verrecchia
strayed, God, taking on our flesh in
was born to Christian missionary
Christ, with his heart of love, ‘came to The philosopher and ethicist Michael
parents in Africa, a continent to which
seek and to save what was lost’, went to Pearson taught at Newbold College of
he subsequently devoted much of his
the Cross and was raised, redeeming Higher Education for over forty years
own life of mission and service. A
us… for now and always.” and influenced whole generations of
teacher, a pastor, an administrator and
Thus concludes one of this series of a skilled mechanic and craftsman, students. By demonstrating their impact
essays, through which Christian literary Derek also served in areas as far-flung on fellow sojourners, students and
scholar Dr Gordon Leah invites us to as Cyprus, Pakistan and the United colleagues alike, this Festschrift
examine our own faith through the Kingdom. attempts to mirror the breadth and
vehicle of literature. His meditative depth of Mike’s thinking, teaching and
This volume, published posthumously, writing. Through its very first volume,
insights will have his readers exploring
represents Derek Beardsell’s autobio- Newbold Academic Press proudly
even further a variety of works by such
graphical reminiscences and reflections celebrated Mike’s contribution to
diverse writers and thinkers as, for
on a life whose rich tapestry can Adventist education.
example, Kenneth Grahame, W.G.
merely be hinted at through its pages. It
Sebald, Franz Kafka, Friedrich
will prove to be a source of insight and
Dürrenmatt, Elie Wiesel, Graham
information to all those with an interest
Greene, Peter Hobbs, Thomas Hardy,
in missiology, pastoral care, teaching
Cormac McCarthy, Marilynne
or administration.
Robinson, Georges Bernanos and
Evelyn Waugh.
28The Newboldian | 2019
NEWBOLD ACADEMIC PRESS
Ecclesia Reformata, Ordination Reconsidered Reaching Post-Christian
Semper Reformanda The Biblical Vision of Men and Europeans
Proceedings of the European Women as Servants of God (June 2015)
Theology Teachers’ Convention, (June 2015) Bjørn Ottesen
Newbold College of Higher Bertil Wiklander
Education “Bjørn Ottesen provides us with an
(25-28 March 2015) “For many decades the Adventist insight into the future of Christian
theology of ordination has been in mission in northern Europe and beyond.
(April 2016) He offers an honest account of the
desperate need of a biblical revision
Edited by Jean-Claude Verrecchia and clarification. Dr Wiklander’s book Church’s successes and failures. His
offers a comprehensive and innovative analysis of the Danish Adventist context
The European Theology Teachers’ has relevance beyond Denmark and
discussion and a thoughtful reassessment
Convention (ETTC), held every second beyond Adventism. His assessment of
of the current theology and practice of
year, attracts Adventist scholars from all the attitudes of modern Danes to
ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist
over Europe, including Russia and organised religion and spirituality gives
Church.”
Lebanon. This meeting, held at the book added authority. This is a
Newbold College of Higher Education Dr Jan Barna,
Senior Lecturer in Systematic thought-provoking and somewhat
(Binfield, UK) from 25 to 28 March and Biblical Theology, disturbing read.”
2015, centred around one of the Newbold College of Higher Education,
United Kingdom Dr Michael Pearson,
leading thoughts of the Reformers: Principal Lecturer Emeritus,
Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda. About the author: Dr Bertil Wiklander Newbold College of Higher Education,
Reformation should never stop but enjoys active retirement in Stockholm, United Kingdom
rather should be a never-ending Sweden. After an undergraduate diploma
process. It implies deconstruction and in classical and modern languages, he “This book analyses the attitude of
reconstruction of methodologies of received degrees in history and theology secular, individualistic Danes with
paradigms, and of practices. The present with emphasis on biblical studies (Th.D., regard to religion, and it suggests
book includes nine presentations, Uppsala; Fil. Mag., Teol.Kand., Lund). By approaches that may help in creating a
covering the fields of biblical studies appointment of the national government, genuine interest in the Bible and its
and systematic and pastoral theology. he worked as Bible translator in the message. However, the book is not just
Swedish Bible Commission (1975 to useful for Danish readers. The principles
“This fascinating volume brings together
1980). His publications include the that Bjørn Ottesen highlights apply to
a wealth of information and reflection
book Prophecy as Literature and articles many other countries and cultures in
on a wide range of biblical and
in English, German and Swedish. Europe, and even to other parts of the
theological themes of interest both to
Western world.”
Adventists and to the wider academic After some years as Principal of a Church-
community. Its contributors wrestle with sponsored academy, Dr Wiklander Dr Reinder Bruinsma,
lecturer, author and retired church
issues of belief and practice that received pastoral ordination and was administrator,
challenge the contemporary Christian, called to Church leadership in Sweden. Netherlands
and they articulate these issues lucidly, From 1995 to 2014 he was President of
passionately and inclusively. There is no the Trans-European Division of the
doubt that the volume will contribute in General Conference of Seventh-day
a very unique and distinctive way to the Adventists and Chairman of the Board
current body of theological literature.” of Governors of Newbold College of
Martin OʼKane, Higher Education.
Professor of Biblical Studies,
University of Wales Trinity Saint David,
United Kingdom
29YEAR IN MISSION AND SERVICE
YEAR IN
MISSION
AND SERVICE
photography: supplied
Students in Newbold’s Year in Mission and Service course spent three months working with ADRA-Serbia
at an ADRA-run community centre that provides support in terms of education, vocational training and
recreational activities for refugees. The centre offers classes in subjects such as English, Serbian, maths,
geography and crafts. Vocational training is also offered in areas such as cooking, mechanics
and barbering. Music, sports and other activities are also available.
Newbold’s Year in Mission and Service offers a semester on campus that prepares students for a mission project in the field,
undertaken during the second semester of the course, in partnership with ADRA, Adventist Frontier Missions, or the
Trans-European Division/British Union Conference.
30The Newboldian | 2019
YEAR IN MISSION AND SERVICE
Shairon
MILLIARD
The Netherlands
I learnt a lot during this project. Through stories of war
and conflict, I learnt about Serbian history. I learnt
about the Adventist Church in Serbia and the
important role that choirs and music play in
increasing the number of youths in the Church. I
learnt about Serbian food – that it is best served with
bread and pickled vegetables.
Cecilie More importantly, I learnt about the refugee situation
KALVAG in Serbia and about what the displaced community
in this region faces and the support they receive from
Denmark organisations such as ADRA-Serbia, Medicine
Without Borders, and the government. Refugees are
What I associate with the practice of mission trips is encouraged to register on arrival, but many choose
the image of people with the Bible under their arms not to as they plan to continue their journey onwards
going off to save and cultivate the “gentiles” of this from Serbia. The result is a lot of unsupervised minors
world. During the semester I spent at Newbold and wandering the streets with their belongings, seeking
the time I spent in Serbia I’ve come to realise that the opportunities to cross the border.
reality is quite different.
Through our work at the centre, I learnt about
I have discovered humanity’s ability to transform cross-cultural communication and the important role
ourselves under any circumstances. The women and that speaking to someone in their native language
children at the centre amazed me. Despite plays. I saw the barriers begin to break down, even
everything they had been through, they attended though we couldn’t fully understand each other.
daily classes with enthusiasm and eagerness to
learn. The fact that they come back every week
trying their hardest really inspires me. I am grateful
that I’ve met all these women and been a small part
of their journey.
I have a greater appreciation for the way that simple
actions can make a difference in the lives of these
women and children. Something as simple as sitting
down with a child and spending a little while
colouring with them can create a close relationship.
The routines and structures of daily living are the
same for every person, even though each culture
differs so vastly. Everyone has the same priorities –
family, safety, education, faith.
The feeling of insecurity that I arrived with has been
transformed into a certainty that everybody has
something to contribute to this crazy and chaotic
world that is home to all of us. I have discovered a
whole new way in which I can love my fellow
human beings.
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