It's amazing how shared suffering unites people. The group of strangers who started their first steps toward doctor's degree last Monday morning are not strangers to each other any longer. It's been fascinating to see how putting up with long days in a classroom (from 9.30am to 9pm last Wednesday - probably the longest school day in my life), reading, sitting in the library, asking 'what am I doing here?' question over and over again brings people together. Obviously, we're all grown up people and we've come here on our own free choice so we don't cry on each others shoulders but I've noticed in the conversations during the last few days how we rely on each other and try to tell ourselves that all of us will be alright in the end. It doesn't matter some are 60 years old and some already have a DMin degree in their pocket. We're all uncertain whether we can fit such a massive project into our already busy lives or not. And that's why the support of classmates is so beautiful, priceless actually.

But it's not only sweat and tears, of course. There have been plenty of joyful moments, too. For example, on Thursday evening we were all invited to our principal's house for a dinner and it was so good to connect with people over home-cooked food (we're starting to get a bit tired of the constant consummation of the Dutch bread and cheese) outside the school. Or just today over the supper I had the most exciting conversation with C. from Alabama who wants to write on narrative preaching as we realised we both loved Fred Craddock to bits (he said if he's ever to get a stained glass window in his church he will have a big Jesus and a tiny F. C. on it, lol!). Just like a shared sorrow, shared love can also unite people in a beautiful way.

And M. was so kind to take me on a tour in Amsterdam today. It had been a long while since I last saw her and much has happened in our lives since that time so I think we both enjoyed reconnecting, sharing our lives and having a good Sabbath walk around this beautiful city. Hopefully it won't be the last time for us to get together. God willing.

But as soon as the Sabbath ends, the work starts again. We've been given a whole pile of 'light' weekend reading. N. Murphy and deconstruction of postmodernity. Sigh.

With M. Sweet reunion.

Meeting Mr Spurgeon in the library.

Postcard picture.