A letter from Elisabeth Cook in Costa Rica
January 2012
Dear friends:
It seems like yesterday that 2011 was beginning and here we are, beginning 2012. So much has happened and is happening at the Latin American Biblical University where I serve, as well as in my own life.
Course in Guatemala
I began the year by spending six weeks in Israel as part of a study program with the Swedish Theological Institute of Jerusalem. I would need pages to express what that time has meant for me, both as a teacher of the Hebrew Bible and as a Christian. Shortly after arriving back in Costa Rica I received the first copy of my book, Woman as Stranger in Israel. A Study of Ezra 9-10 (in Spanish). My master’s thesis published—finally—after more than six years! Next came a new and long awaited stage in my life. I began my Ph.D. studies in Hebrew Bible with the University of Exeter in England. I’m in the distance-based program, which means I work from Costa Rica and am in contact with my supervisor through e-mail and Skype. Thank goodness for Skype; by the way, we have been using it more and more at the university for communication with the many institutions throughout Latin America that participate in our degree programs. It has been wonderful for having guest lecturers—and not having to pay plane fare!!
1. Interdisciplinary seminar on New Models of the Family Today
We are, at long last, beginning to explore the many opportunities technology and the Internet offer us for our decentralized educational program. In the works is a bi-modal master’s degree with specialization in either Biblical studies or theological studies. It’s hard for some of the faculty to imagine teaching “through the Internet,” but it makes access to education available to many students. We keep in mind, though, that there are students who even today do not have access to the Internet, in remote villages and in countries where the service is costly.
In 2011 we taught over 60 courses in Bible and Theology for students in Costa Rica and in intensive courses throughout Latin America. I was in Guatemala teaching a course during a week of constant rain and flooding. Students were traveling two and three hours to get to class—some more eagerly than others of course! We are looking forward to having one of those students, Elizabeth López, with us this year to finish her bachelor’s degree and begin her licenciature program in Biblical Studies. Lyz is a leader in the Presbyterian Church in Guatemala, where she struggles with a church hierarchy that is resistant to women’s leadership. She is committed to the church, however, and to the struggles of Guatemala, to justice and to teaching the Word of God for freedom and transformation. I am looking forward to having her in class, and in our academic community, this year.
This year will determine many things for the University, our model of education and the way we will continue our ministry toward the future. As of 2009, the government organization that approves private universities in Costa Rica (CONESUP) has refused to issue the diplomas for our students. We were approved by this organization in 1996 and since then have graduated over 130 students, but they are now questioning our model of education because we work in a dynamic relationship with local institutions throughout Latin America. Despite the fact that they were the ones to approve it, they are now refusing to recognize it. To make a long story short, we have sued the government and are now waiting for the final decision from the court.
At stake are almost 80 students who are waiting for their diplomas, and so much more…. The positive side to this is that it has moved us to take another look at this model and make adjustments in the face of new contexts and situations in Latin America today. This has been, in fact, the history of the Latin American Biblical University, which evolved from a school for women, then pastors, then a seminary with students in residence, and finally a university with diversified models of education combining distance and residence studies. It is in our nature to transform. Please pray for guidance as we focus on these challenges this year.
This year, as well, marks the end of Violeta Rocha’s second term as university president. Violeta is from Nicaragua and came to us with extensive experience in academic administration, education, and a specialization in New Testament studies. During this time we have focused on the contribution the University can make to contexts of diversity and pluralism—ethnic, religious, economic, gender, age—in Latin America. Tolerating differences is not enough; we have sought to celebrate them, learn from them, and be transformed.
A considerable budget deficit has meant, for me in particular, participating in committees and making difficult decisions concerning personnel and programs in order to ensure the continuation of this ministry that is so much more than those of us who are a part of it for just a while.
My personal goals for this year are to continue to infuse my teaching, research, publications and work with the students with a passion for justice, transformation and mercy. I look forward to spending six months, starting in October of this year, on my interpretation assignment, and I hope to have the chance to visit some of you during that time.
Blessings to all for the New Year!
Sincerely,
Elisabeth Cook
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 14
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