But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Psalm 5:11
The halls of Black Forest Academy will be filling back up with students and teachers! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 30, 2023. The day starts with the tradition of opening ceremonies, which includes a roll call of the nations represented in the school, a speech from the student body president, and a charge to the staff as we begin serving these wonderful students.
I am excited to teach the Math 8 class, which includes one of my former resource students from two years ago. Their starting project for the year will be to create a “Math Map” showing the journey of their math learning from kindergarten through seventh grade with the language they were taught in and their feelings and memories about the subject each year. I hope this is a fun way for them to share about themselves and for me to get to know a little more about each of them.
The past week and a half has been filled with preparing for the start of the school year. I have attended a number of staff meetings. Alisa and I traveled just over the border into France with a group of middle school teachers to stock up on school supplies. When Alisa comes in the classroom with me, she enjoys playing with the math manipulatives.
“I love BFA because it feels like home to me. In all the other schools I went to, I never found anyone who understood what it was like to be an MK, they didn’t even know what a missionary was. Here, at BFA, we can all identify with each other because we’ve all been through the same thing. It’s kind of like a family here (a big one).” This is a quote that was shared with the staff this week as an encouragement to remember why we do what we do. The quote is from a staff newsletter written in 1998. May we as a ministry team continue to serve and love these students and their families!
Spring
Thank you again to each one of you who took out time to visit with us during our trip in the U.S. Alisa has now made two international flights and logged around 3000 miles in the car. We are so thankful that we were able to come out this spring and spend the extra time with family, friends, and ministry partners. We experienced so many blessings on this trip and came home with hearts full of joy knowing you are all behind us in this ministry.
Summer
Lorelei, my sister; and David, my nephew, came out for a visit in July. We were able to spend time with them around Kandern and also took a lovely trip to the Austrian Alps. We looked for adventures that David would enjoy and found some fun suspension bridges to cross, gondolas to ride, and a Via Ferrata, which turned out to be too difficult for me, but David made great progress with his athletic gymnastic strength. On our last outing we headed to the Swiss alps for some ziplines and trike and scooter rides down the mountain. Unfortunately, on our last scooter ride, Lorelei was bitten or stung by an insect causing her to lose balance and fall. The fall resulted in a small fracture in her ankle. David’s gymnastic strength was used to help get her and the luggage home two days later, but they made it safely and she is on the mend.
In August, I started helping Zoe Marsh, the new French teacher, settle into life in Kandern. We were able to get her registered, set up a bank account, register for trash cans, and show her around town. We had quite a time trying to set up her internet, but finally got it up and running! In high school, Zoe felt God call her to teach French, a love of hers, to missionary kids but didn’t have any idea how this would play out. She is now thrilled to see how God has orchestrated his call on her life and brought her here.
Please Pray...
For our family adjustment as I return to work part-time.
For new and returning staff to make good connections with our students.
For the families of boarding students who are preparing for the good-byes.
Praise the Lord, we have worked out childcare for Alisa each morning.
Praise the Lord, for bringing in the new BFA staff to serve here this year.
Blessings,
Becky
[email protected]
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