My name is Liliana Lopez and I come from Uruguay. I arrived to Belfast Bible College in September last year after Samuel Scott, a graduate student from this college, encouraged me to study here. I came for two years Diploma Course (Church and Mission).

I came almost straight after working in a mission field for almost six years with Operation Mobilisation on board of the Logos II ship. In the field I realized I needed more training in Theology and Pastoral Care. These are the areas which interest me for my future ministry.

The last year has been very rewarding in BBC. I have been taught how to study the Bible more effectively. I gained more knowledge of the History of the Bible and Jewish history.

Also, I understand more the Biblical perspective of the thinking of our Western World. Christian Philosophy was an interesting topic for me. But the richest study was study of seven books of the Bible in a year. In the area of People Care, I had the opportunity to take a course in Leadership and Family Ministry.

This coming year I will have the chance to do the pastoral care course. So, I am excited about that! Apart from that, I have made new friends from all around the world. At the same time, I get to see people again, who I knew before from the mission field.
That would not have been possible if the college community was disperse and individualistic. But that is not the case here, the Irish people are friendly and the community is small which is helpful for getting to know people better. To add to that the college has a system where students each have different responsibilities, this also helps with building community, like duty rotations, a fellowship group, prayers triples etc. 

One more thing to mention is the professionalism of the teachers. They are very well prepared. Nevertheless, what touches me the most is observing the way some of them live their lives. They are living examples of Christianity. That teaches us more then ten thousand words.