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But language is not the only challenge. There is talk these days
in Lithuania about "post-Soviet nostalgia"—the
longing for an era where things seemed to be simpler, the risk
of failure was smaller, the pace of life was more predictable,
and the choices available were clear (if limited). Students in
my economics classes struggle to make sense of the "forces
of the market economy." When asked what the main task of
a business is, many will respond: "to create working places."
The teacher in me says "no, the correct answer is to produce
efficiently and sell at a profit!" Some students can't tell
if this is just the latest foreign ideology or some invisible
force that rules the world. The students look at what is happening
economically to their parents. Their fathers are losing their
jobs as new owners introduce current production technology and
cut workers. Their mothers are trying to start new careers but
they don't have much chance at retraining or continuing education.
So we spend time explaining what the market does well and what
it does poorly—and on how a Christian might respond, both
to the needs of the individuals hurt in the new, fast-paced system
and to public debate about economic and social policy.
Jobs seem like the number one concern among students. I asked
a class of 20 seniors about their job prospects when they graduate
in May. Only one had a clear idea about a job. The rest were pessimistic.
Most students think they have a better chance if they emigrate
to a European Union country. Waiting on tables in Dublin or being
a live-in babysitter in London seem to offer better prospects
than floundering in the weak job market in Lithuania. We try to
equip our students with "marketable" skills but the
students rightly ask "What if there is no market here?"
The economy of Lithuania is actually doing comparatively well
in the last two years and we try to convey these hopeful signs
to students.
The majority of students at LCC are not Christians. Most have
only a passing knowledge of the Bible. A Christian worldview often
seems like a strange perspective to students. A legacy of the
Soviet past is skepticism about pronouncements and ideals. Students
want authenticity in their teachers. Our behavior is what they
believe, not what we say or try to teach directly. Students are
keen to watch how we spend our money, how we treat them, and how
we treat each other. This semester a Lithuanian teacher and I
are teaching a new course about world poverty and economics. We
offer a Christian ethical and theological perspective on poverty
and injustice. Most students respond with academic interest to
the theological readings. To move the discussion to the level
of faith is often a challenge. We give our perspective and hope
that our testimony about God's preference for the poor and the
hope of justice for victims is authentic and will resonate with
students as they hear these Christian messages, often for the
first time.
We do what we can and pray for help and inspiration. A few years
ago the Christian education committee at Bethany Presbyterian
Church in Lancaster gave me this prayer. It's on our refrigerator
here as a reminder of why we were sent to LCC: "They are
watching me closely in all that I do, to see if my life is worthy
of you; so please help me each day be the best I can be, that
each student I teach will see Jesus in me."
We are beginning to think about our future here at LCC. Our term
at LCC ends June 30, 2004. We think we are called to be at LCC.
We hope you want us here as your representatives—as ambassadors
for Christ. Our prayer is that the will and the means be provided
for us to continue at LCC for another term. We ask that you give
prayerful consideration to the new PC(USA) "mission initiative"
now underway, that the church's number of mission workers be increased.
We also hope that you consider our directed mission support account.
To know that we are part of a larger Christian community that
extends beyond LCC sustains us. May your journey through Lent
prepare you to arrive at Easter morning refreshed and ready to
hear Jesus say again "Peace be with you. As the Father has
sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21).
Peace.
Becky & Eric Hinderliter
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