David M. Howard, Jr.
10/22/98

REPORT ON SECOND TRIP TO

THE EMMANUEL BIBLE INSTITUTE

ORADEA, TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA

October 8-17, 1998

I made my second trip to teach at EBI earlier this month. The second time around, things were much easier, as I knew far better what to expect and the culture shock was diminished greatly. Also, the facilities at EBI have improved since March, which made for an easier stay. I was there this time on my own, without Bob Yarbrough, but everyone was very gracious and hospitable.

The biggest difference was the new dining hall on the campus, which eliminated the need for an almost-two-hour trip across town for lunch, and several evenings out having dinner. Noon and evening meals were a simple matter of walking 3 minutes over to the dining hall and being served. The meals were excellent Romanian fare.

Another change from March was that several Westerners are living at EBI during the year, which makes for a different dynamic. There are two Englishmen, John Lenton (early 50s) and Dave (late 20s), who are the new faculty of the business school. There is a young American (recent Wheaton grad), Rusty Popp, who is Paul Negrut's external relations man (i.e., he works on the English correspondence, and he was assigned to make sure I got everything I needed).

In terms of the teaching, I was able to plot out the Old Testament curriculum sequence with the people at EBI, which was very helpful. I had not had a grasp of this previously, but now I do, and I helped them shape what should be the best apportionment of subjects in the different courses. There are several tracks, for different majors; the primary ones I'll be working with in the immediate future will be theology, music, literature, social assistance (i.e., social work), and extension students.

I taught two courses:

• Old Testament Introduction (2^nd year)
• Old Testament Survey (1^st year)

The second-year students were ones I'd had in the spring. The plan is for me to take the first-year class through their entire Old Testament sequence in the next 3 years, which is a good plan, so they get some continuity. I will also begin in 1999 with first-year music, literature, social assistance, and extension students.

It was again a pleasure and a privilege to be with the Christians at EBI, and I look forward to returning in the spring of 1999.