"Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
Our community goes through good transitions and hard transitions during the end of the school year, but God is steadfast in his love and does not change even as our circumstances change.
I worked with three eighth graders this year and they are excitedly preparing to transition to high school in the fall. I was honored to be able to speak at the Eighth Grade Tribute Ceremony for one of my students. This is an evening where we honor the eighth graders by sharing about their character qualities and growth from their time in middle school, and then share a verse and prayer for them as they enter high school.
One of the high school students that I work with was baptized in the last week of school. She spoke with me the day before and said she was looking forward to having her father there as he was the one who taught her about faith in her childhood and to also have her Bible teacher there as she is the one who helped her understand what she believed personally about God.
I was privileged to watch my two seniors graduate, one receiving honors. They are both excited but also a little nervous about their moves to college in the States. Neither one has lived in the US since their early childhood for more than a year at a time. They understand that they will have to learn a "new-to-them" culture and hope to find a good community and network of support as they embark on their new journeys.
One of the harder transitions is saying good-bye to good friends who are ending their time at BFA. My dear friend and colleague, Ivy, will be returning to the States after teaching ELL for five years. Ivy was a wonderful friend and demonstrated a deep love for her students. Another good friend, Katie, served in the music department for over ten years and is returning to the States with her husband. Katie also led a women's Bible study that I have been a part of for the past two years. She has a deep love for God's Word and knowing his truth. These women will be greatly missed as God moves them to building his Kingdom in another place.
Transitions for the Buergin Family
Christian and I are preparing for our big transition into parenthood, which will happen in a couple of days or weeks. We are both excited and a little nervous about all the changes that this will bring. God has been gracious and faithful through this pregnancy. We trust he will provide for us as we enter parenthood, and we are so thankful for the community he has placed around us already. I am also transitioning into a new job description for the next school year: Missionary on Home Ministry Assignment, except for me home will be Germany rather than the States for most of the year with 2-3 months in the States in spring or early summer. HMA (or what was previously known as furlough) is a time for connecting with family, friends, churches, and ministry partners. I am so thankful that my parents are planning a long trip to Europe in the fall. My sister, Mikaela, is coming around Christmas and Lorelei, my other sister, will come in the spring. I also plan to connect with individuals and churches both virtually throughout the year and in-person during our trip to the States. We are hoping that Christian will be able to use some parental leave time to come along with me and our daughter. As I step away from BFA for this one year, I know there is the possibility of many more ministry opportunities to arise in the missions community and at my local church. Please pray with me for wisdom to know to which to say yes and to which to say no.
Please Pray...
Praise God that everything continues to go well with pregnancy; we are expecting a little girl in the next couple of weeks!
Praise God for the TeachBeyond global conference, it was a relaxing time and an encouraging time as we heard reports of what God is doing through our organization around the world.
Praise God that one of my students was baptized during the last week of school.
Praise God for a good end to the school year.
For a smooth delivery of our baby girl and our transition into parenting a newborn.
For the new BFA staff that will be coming next year, many are currently raising support and attending orientations this summer.
For a pastors' conference in Kenya, which hopes to provide lay pastors with greater knowledge and training in God's word. (Our local church supports the pastor who is organizing this event.)
Blessings,
Becky
[email protected]
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