school

I don't think it's a secret that Arold and I really want to be back in Haiti doing ministry some day. Really, we'd like to be there now, but we know God has us here (in Northern Indiana) for this season of our lives. As difficult as it is to deal with the polar vortex, being assaulted daily by consumerism and greed, and the ideology of YOLO (you only live once), we know this is where we belong right now. 

Before we left Haiti, we made a list of goals we had for our time living in the United States. One of the goals we had was to learn more about different models of ministry and to get some type of Bible or missions training. Arold started taking Bible/pastoral training classes online in October. It looks like it's going to be a great program for him. As his spouse I have the opportunity to take the same classes--now or at a later date--at half price. I would love to take the classes at the same time he's taking them because I think it would be good for us to process the information together, but there's no way I can handle the course work on top of teaching! 

Recently I was looking online for some type of mission conference for the two of us to attend, but I couldn't find much out there. Then I stumbled upon a link to Global Missions Frontier and their online missionary training program. It looks like a great program. Participants can earn a certificate of completion, or with varying degrees of homework, participants are able to earn any where from an Associates Degree to a Masters through Covenant Theological Seminary. There are 20 modules in the online course, and they are all "work at your own pace." Most online classes have required weekly chats and homework assignments, which doesn't work for my currently lifestyle. But this particular program only requires each module to be completed in three months. I can watch the videos, read the books, and complete the assignments as I have time and still finish within the three month window. Plus, I could finish multiple modules in the summer when I'm not teaching.

I am trying out the first class to see how it goes, but I am really excited about this opportunity. I am seriously considering working towards the Masters Degree. Can you believe I just said that?!? In recent years I have told many people that I have no desire to go back to school, but I guess I just needed the right course of study to persuade me to step back into the role of student!