Life at Tyndale House

We're spending this year in Cambridge, but our life is centered here at Tyndale House.  Here is a little insight into what our life is like here.

 

Tyndale House is about 70 years old (although the house itself is much older, built in the 1800's).  It is an evangelical study center in Cambridge that welcomes scholars from all over the world--giving them the opportunity to spend time here doing research and work in biblical studies.

One of the key things is the amazing library they have with a very extensive collection of books--with holdings in theology, biblical studies, biblical languages, etc.

Interspersed among the shelves and shelves of books are 61 study desks, which people can reserve and use for the time they are here.

 This is Buist's study desk.  He originally had the one below, but when the lady using the one above left, Buist was able to get upgraded to this one.  It is so nice and spacious and will be a great place for him to work.  He can leave his study materials there, and he is spending most of every day working there.

The other amazing thing about Tyndale House is the variety of people that study here.  Some come for a week, or a month, or a semester--or like us for a year.  And there is a group of people that are here for several years--working on PhD's.  They are the long termers!  We've met people from England, Scotland, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Korea, the U.S., Canada, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Germany, Greece, Czech Republic, Wales, Brazil, Singapore, and many other places.

The other unique thing about Tyndale House is that it is a community.  Every day there is a coffee break at 11:00 and a tea break at 4:00.  They ring a gong, and most everyone comes out, has a cup of something (and many times snacks as well) and visits with other scholars--with conversation ranging from deep academic topics, to what progress people are making, to weather, family, life, etc.

And on pretty days, the tea time flows out into the back garden.

We actually live here at Tyndale House.  Our apartment is on the very top floor.  The two sets of windows on the top left are our apartment--or flat!!

 And this is the view from our windows, looking out at the tree tops--and the back garden.  The two houses behind us also belong to Tyndale House and house families that are here for study--many PhD students and their families.  And there are a couple of houses beyond that that are also part of the Tyndale House community.

On Tuesdays, everyone gathers for a prayer time (or during term time for a chapel service).  This is a very meaningful time of people sharing needs and going to our Father together to commit those to Him.  It's impressive what a humble and grateful group it is!  Below is our meeting room after the meeting has broken up.

For a few Wednesday mornings before term begins, the wives of students and readers are doing some work for the library.  We're relabeling the books to make them more consistent.  See before and after below.

It's nice to do something that makes a difference long term--beyond the daily routines of things that have to be done over and over (like meals, dishes, housework, etc.).

We feel very privileged to have this year to be a part of this community--and to have this time away for Buist to be doing research and writing!