After taking a few weeks off from BPI following Christopher’s birth, I have returned back to full-time classes. It has been difficult to juggle everything, but I am blessed to have a wonderful wife and understanding children. The BPI staff have also been patient with me and we are seeing how my return will affect our family and my other responsibilities. With that said, we know the semester will come to a close at the end of May, so the end is in sight.

Some of our classes this semester have included Christian History II, Pastoral Counseling, Church Planting Foundations, Introduction to the New Testament, Mentoring, Apologetics, Wisdom Literature and Preaching. And we will have a few more before we finish the semester.

This program has been far from easy, but I am grateful for the opportunities that it has provided. I have definitely grown in my Latvian language, especially my reading, listening, and writing. My weakest area is talking but I am continuing to grow in this as well. It feels seems like the workload has been easier this semester. Hopefully, this is because I am growing in my understanding of Latvian. I have also been able to learn must more about the culture and Christian work here in Latvia. It has been helpful to talk with and learn from pastors who have been faithfully serving for many years. Some of them have been able to share about their time under Soviet rule which has been sobering and eye opening.

At this point, the plan is for me to continue the program for the next two years. The format will be one week a month in Rīga with the rest of my cohort for lectures/discussions/presentations and the rest of our time will be internships and practical ministry. This will allow me to continue to make relationships with other pastors and ministry leaders in Latvia while growing in my Latvian language and understanding of the culture.