We came to Wartburg for the community. It seemed to Ivy (the wife) and I that there was no way we could leave behind family, careers, our church, friends, and familiar places to struggle on a student budget so far away from everything that we know, unless we had a real support system in place. Those people are here, and they are what make Wartburg Theological Seminary such a special place. It's not just the bonfires, potlucks, and smiles in the hallway, either. Having classmates, friends, and neighbors that truly care about what you are going through, because we're all going through it together, makes all the difference. Last winter, when I was in Guyana (avg. temp: 95 degrees Farenheit), our dryer ceased to function. Ivy, snowbound with 2 small children, reached out and quickly had a wonderful friend over to make it go again. This is just a small example of the kind of love here that makes this life possible. And while we'll miss all the friends and classmates from last year, we're excited about the new relationships being formed with seniors returning from internship, new students beginning their junior year, and faculty and staff that we have yet to work with.
We are a worship centered community that gathers every day in chapel to hear the Word that calls us all here, to witness to the Spirit that sustains us when times are hard, and worship and praise the One that created us for this purpose. The opportunity to learn and discuss and grow and affirm the call God places on all our lives makes this is special place, and we're glad to be back.
P.S. I'll try to blog more often.
