Dear brothers and sisters,
The world has been in the grip of the corona-virus for over a year. The restriction measures to contain the virus has an impact on us and our families. And on education. Many schools are closed or only partly open. An additional challenge for all teachers. We feel connected with all Christians worldwide who seek to serve in education.
At our university, corona restrictions means we teach online. But it also means we cannot welcome students from abroad and our students’ work placements abroad could not take place. Yet, together with you, we have proved versatile in staying in contact and continuing to provide international experience to students. The virtual exchange of our final year students became a great success. In small groups they connected with schools and teachers abroad through the internet and carried out a (research) project or taught lessons. The reflective reports showed that the students themselves had learnt a lot from it too; the encounter with education in other countries and cultures gives them experience they need later when they teach children in their own classrooms. If you helped us in this international challenge: thank you very much!
The ability to be connected despite the distance and travel restrictions was evident again during the INCHE Europe webinar, which topic was “Christian Higher Education in a Pandemic: Possibilities for Fractured European Societies”. It was heartening to see that that we can meet online with respect to the same mission and also need each other and inspire each other. Likewise, through INCE Product & Solution Delivery we were able to hold seminars on Wonderfully Made (Hungary) and the Christian Teaching module (Pakistan). We hope that these and future modules can further inspire teachers to have a lasting impact as Christian teachers in their context!
It is almost Easter now. As Christians we remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the risen Prince of life. He asks us to live and work in His Kingdom here on earth. We wish you and each other His strength in our work for education and in our personal lives.
With warm regards from Gouda, Driestar Christian University for Teacher Education
Rens Rottier,
Chairman of the board
