A SLICE OF DAVINA’S LIFE (July 2008)

Top: With some of my Greek 1 students
Bottom: With Sharon (left) and Mi Youn (right) who are now serving in Korea CCC

THANKSGIVING: COMING FULL CIRCLE

When Casey and I went to the Philippines in 1986, we thought we would just do a one-year master’s degree. My eyes were set on an MA in Christian Education. However, God changed our plans and we returned to Singapore 3¼ years later with a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies and a Master of Theology in New Testament (in progress). Twenty over years have passed and both of us are now working on a PhD in Christian education. My education path has come full circle. I have returned to my “first love.” Learning more about education now, after eighteen years of teaching, has given me a new perspective of my calling as a teacher and helped me to improve my teaching-learning skills.

This quarter, I am journeying through Greek 1 with fifteen students who come from Singapore, the Philippines, Korea, East Asia, and Nigeria. It is tough for them to grasp nouns with grammatical genders since such a concept does not exist in their languages. If “heart” (kardia) is a feminine noun, does it mean it is a female heart? Come to think of it, I could have been less sympathetic towards my students’ struggles in the past as I was using the male “mind” (nous; a masculine noun). Just kidding! I can only say that my present studies has caused me to become more aware of my learners’ struggles and needs. I thank God for this opportunity to grow as a teacher.

PRAYER REQUESTS

 To raise an additional $1,500 per month as soon as possible
 To teach Greek 1 in a way that my students can understand
 To maximize learning and be in good health when I attend my AGST-MST module (Education for Spiritual Formation) in Penang, Malaysia, in August
 For Casey to complete an initial thesis proposal by November

AN URGENT APPEAL

Some financial policies in Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ were revised and implemented in July 2008. With this revision and my existing monthly deficit, I need to raise another $1,500 per month. I thank all of you for believing in my calling and participating in my ministry. Please let me know if you have friends or anyone who would be interested to be my partner-in-ministry. Thank you for your continual encouragement through prayers and giving. Without you, I would not be able to fulfill my teaching ministry at EAST.

MY CONTACT:

Davina Soh Hui Leng
Blk 322 Tampines Street 33, #09-152, Singapore 520322
E-mail address: davina@east.edu.sg