a day in Matt's life

Last week, Matt suggested doing a blog on his day-to-day life to give you a better idea of what that looks like.  I thought that was a great idea, and started capturing some "normal" pictures to go with it.   So here is a very rare blog from Matt!

Each morning, I wake up at 5:00AM (with the Haitian roosters) and throw on a pot of strong coffee (sometimes a Haitian espresso) and head for my devotions.  For my Scripture reading, I’m currently working through 2 Samuel and Luke’s Gospel. For my devotional reading, I’m alternating and between Dallas Willard’s Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ and The Story of Christian Theology by Roger Olson.  

(our front yard)

For March, I sensed the Lord’s leading in exploring the Meta-narrative of salvation in order to have a Biblical and prayerfully considered frame of reference for understanding my own story and calling as it fits within the greater framework of salvation history.  It is this idea that led me to the historical books of the OT and the Gospels.  

(our back yard)

At 6AM, I know my devotional time is finished when I hear the pitter-patter of Lily’s feet on the cold tile as she runs down the hall from the bedroom to see me (one of the best moments of the day).  Lily and Papi (Haitian name for “daddy”) adventures go from 6AM-7AM while Stace does her devotions.  We color, go for walks around the EBS campus, dress up in princess clothes, dance, play hide and seek, you name it.  7:15AM - off to office/class.  

Every Tuesday and Thursday, I teach two courses totaling 3.5 hours in the classroom.  The first class on Tues/Thurs (7:30AM-8:50AM) is a Bible translation critique course in which we compare the original texts (Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament) with the French La Sainte Bible and the Creole Bib La.  The primary goals of this course are to (1) strengthen advanced students’ Greek and Hebrew, (2) understand dynamics of Bible translation and (3) discover the strengths and weaknesses of both La Sainte Bible and the Bib La as it pertains to accurate Biblical interpretation.

After Translation Critique, I’m immediately off to the Isaiah course (9:00AM-11:00AM).  The beauty of studying the book of Isaiah in the Haitian context is Isaiah’s powerful emphasis on God’s Holiness, Power and Trustworthiness as critical to understanding, judgment, hope and redemption.  

The study of Isaiah presents an opportunity for theological/intellectual challenge among students.  Holiness, holiness, holiness is at the center of salvation.  A message for us all (see Called to be Holy: A BIblical Perspective by John Oswalt).  I owe a great deal of thanks to Dr. John Oswalt for his help in preparing the Isaiah course at EBS.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday's I also attend chapel services from 10-11, and preach in these services 2 or 3 times a month.  

After teaching, I’m off to my office for a cold drink (usually Toro - meaning “The Bull” - the Haitian equivalent of Red Bull, but at only $0.80 a piece instead of Red Bull’s $2.20 a piece).  To unwind from teaching a bit, I begin to tackle administrative tasks and project development.  

Some of the regular items I work on administratively for EBS are: (1) plan for future academic calendars with Lucner (Academic Dean of EBS), (2) authorize purchase requests and expense reports, (3) legal research, (4) follow-up on previous administrative projects still pending, (5) collaborative meetings with senior administrators on project visions, goals, strategies, budgets, etc..  

Some of the projects we’re currently working on are: curriculum review, the 2011-2012 academic calendar, student spiritual life development strategies, in-country marketing for EBS, solar energy/increased energy efficiency solutions, student-work study program, EBS garden, increased economic efficiency in the cafeteria and an EBS radio program.  

When finished with priority administrative tasks, I replace the administrator's hat with the academic’s.  In my academic life, there are a number of things happening.  First, I’m finishing up an MA in Biblical Literature online with Wesley Biblical Seminary (www.wbs.edu).  My course load this semester online is, (1) New Testament History and Interpretation, (2) Apologetics and Cultural Change and (3) Theology and Theory of Leadership.  I spend approximately 20-25 hours a week on my Master’s work.  My favorite course right now is Apologetics and the most helpful course is Theology and Theory of Leadership.  

(Matt also has the ONLY office with an air conditioner...something he gets VERY excited about)  

Secondly, I’m always preparing for EBS courses.  My preparation includes preparing for classes I’m currently teaching at EBS, as well as preparation for classes to be taught the following semester.  Third, I’m leading a study on Romans for our weekly, OMS missionary prayer meeting that requires weekly preparation.  Finally, I spend any extra academic time (which is very little) exploring linguistics and semiotics (study of symbols).  

Let me say here that I love teaching and the academy more than any dynamic of my professional life.  I believe teaching is my primary calling.  

I pause in my academic endeavors for lunch in the cafeteria with students (12:30PM-1:00PM).  Lunch consists of either rice, beans and fried chicken or yummy hot corn grits covered in a milky bean sauce and vegetables soaked in oil - sits like a cinder block in the stomach.  After lunch in the cafeteria (Creole - refèktwa), I head home (1PM-1:30PM) to spend the rest of the lunch hour with Stacey and Lily, reading books on the bed and putting Lily (and CS Lewis, the cat) down for her 1:15 nap.  Work being a 3 minute walk from home has its benefits :).

I spend the afternoon (from 1-4:30) back in the office, meeting with the staff, administration, various students, or continuing to work on lesson plans or my masters.  On Wednesday afternoons, I have the opportunity to teach during a weekly gathering with all OMS Haiti missionaries and visitors.  Currently, we are working through Romans, studying God's plan for salvation and new life in depth.

I call it quits in the office around 4:30PM and head home for more adventures with Lily and time with Stacey!  A few days a week I also join the students for their daily soccer match from 5-5:30.

Lily and Papi adventures in the afternoon are simply a more intense version of morning adventures. Everything we do is done louder and faster.  Lily has lots of energy :) Lots of days we walk around the compound and she visits her friends and the kitten that lives in the guard shack with Kesner.  Her two favorite things right now are (1) “Like a monster” in which I growl and chase her while she runs and hides in closets; (2) Princess time in which she puts on one of her princess dresses, “sparkle shoes” and tells me to “sing the princess song” (which is any made-up melody and lyrics that repeat the words “princess”, “Lily”, “beautiful”, and “pretty” and “wonderful”)

Dinner at 5:30PM (Stacey is the best cook in the world, no joke), a family walk each evening, Lily bath and bedtime stories and prayers from 6:30-7:30PM.  After Lily goes to bed, Stacey and I unwind by having some decaf while talking, reading, (Stacey blogging) watching a movie or The Office.  We have to admit, we rarely make it to 9PM before heading to bed...

Add in preaching and visiting student and community churches every weekend, a trip to town at least every 2 weeks for supplies or for airport runs, working in Konpech most Sunday afternoons with Junior, and all of the daily "unique" problems and situations that come up, life in Haiti continues to be very busy...and very happy.

trips to town