New Friends
August 21, 2012
I got the opportunity last Friday morning to meet one of Professor du Toit’s other doctoral students, who also happens to be an American. We met for coffee and had a great time getting to know each other (we got coffee at an Austrian coffee shop, located just next to die Residenz, pictured above). We had lots in common: we both come from small Christian colleges in the States, both come from conservative backgrounds, and both happen to be studying at LMU under the same professor, to name a few! He began his studies a year ago and has made great progress on his thesis, which focuses on Hebrews. Thus, he will be co-teaching the seminar on Hebrews this semester with professor du Toit. I really gleaned a lot from my friend’s experiences, which have been all positive. Most importantly, he has received 100% support from the NT department and has never once been scrutinized for his conservative beliefs. After having coffee together, to which he graciously treated me, my friend gave me a brief tour of Munich and escorted me to Professor du Toit’s office, where I had my next meeting.
Professor du Toit and I had a great time together–my first meeting with him since arrival. Rather than sitting in his office, he took me to coffee (now my second cafe of the morning, not to mention the two cups I had at home before entering the city), where we discussed my research topic and such. Needless to say, my Friday morning was very busy, but the coffee got me through.
Sunday turned out to be just as busy, and fun! My fellow “thesiser” invited us over for lunch and afterwards for church. Our wives had a great time getting to know each other, and swapping notes on German culture. We were shocked that although they have lived here for a year, they have yet to go to a Flohmarkt. We will have to change that (we have made two trips already to the local flea market. Here they do flea markets instead of yard sales. You would not believe the number of different languages you hear while there: Turkish, French, Romanian, Greek, Italian, to name a few. We have basically furnished our apartment and our backs from the flea market. You do quite a bit of haggling with the vendors).
The church service we attended with our friends was at Munich International Community Church and began at 4:00 PM. We are still trying to decide whether we will attend an English or German-speaking service. This was our first time to attend a service since arriving in German, and we thoroughly felt at home.
Andy,
Thanks for the newsy update. So glad you made some friends, spent some time together, had such good meetings and visited a good church! Answers to my prayers..
Thank you, and thank you for your continued prayers!
Another wonderful update, Andy! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Basel also had an English-speaking international church, founded by James Boice, who was a Docktorand at the Uni at the time. The church had a great ministry to American ex-pats. However, Becky and I felt our purpose in studying in Switzerland was better served by plugging into the local Baptistengemeinde there. Please do at least try a local German-speaking church. I think you will find the overall experience rewarding beyond belief. Plus, at our little local church Becky met an older women who mentored her in German and thus enabled her to speak the language within three months of our arrival!
Remember: If you wanted to “feel at home” you could have stayed here in the States. Stretch yourselves to the max while you are there. Let your education be more than academic!
With all best wishes,
Dave Black — your “former” professor
Great to hear from you, brother Black! And thank you for sharing the advice you gleaned from your overseas experience. We definitely plan on visiting some local German-speaking churches, and look forward to more “stretching” experiences. Thanks for taking the time to keep up with the adventures of one of your “former” students,
Andy