I will be saying good-bye to Karmyn (pictured above), the one senior I work with, to one of my tenth graders, whose family is going on home assignment next year, to Sarah Mol my fellow resource teacher, just to list a few. Sarah is both sad to be leaving and excited to be starting graduate school, to which she just received her acceptance letter. She will also be able to reconnect with her family after living abroad for most of the past six years.
Apart from saying good-byes to those leaving, this next month will hold the "regular" end-of-the-year tasks. I am preparing a roster and proctoring schedule for students who are allowed extended time on their final exams, I am working with my supervisor and some of the ninth grade teachers to beginning planning some changes for next fall, I will be writing the end of the year progress reports, and I will continue to be working with students each day on a variety of subjects and skills. I have a feeling this next month will seem to go by more quickly than usual.
Missionary Focus...
Please pray for Karmyn's Family. They have been serving for about 7 years in Ethiopia and also served as dorm parents at Black Forest Academy for about 2 years in the past. The family is now preparing to return to the United States as their two children will be graduating from BFA in June. Karmyn and her brother were both adopted from Russia as infants and are now about to finish their high school education. Karmyn will be attending Virginia College and her brother will be joining the military. While in Ethiopia, her dad worked as a doctor and built an eye clinic where he then trained several locals to help run it. He currently works part-time at the eye clinic and works part-time with his wife. Karmyn's mom is originally from South Africa, and she has helped run several orphanages in Ethiopia. She is currently managing a self-sustaining project which produces a grain formula for malnourished children. Karmyn's parents will be working in the States next year as their children adjust to a new culture and life after high school. They hope to return to Ethiopia to ensure their ministries continue. Please pray for the family's transition to the States. Please also pray for the work they will be leaving behind in Ethiopia and that it will be continued by others while they are gone.
Side Notes...
It has been a blessing that, while several flu and cold bugs have gone through BFA in the winter and spring, I have stayed relatively healthy all year.
I am continuing to enjoy hiking and exploring this area of Germany! There are so many wonderful trails, and I find it refreshing to be out in nature. This has been stress reliever and a blessing in the more hectic parts of the year.
Earlier this month, I was able to visit the Natural History Museum in Basel and see a wooly mammoth; it was quite fun.
This past week, I had the opportunity to take the resource teachers out for an appreciation dinner, and we enjoyed a time of fellowship over good food and then a nice walk through a little village.
Please Pray...
For a good finish in this final month of school
For wisdom and opportunity to pour spiritually into the lives of students
For staff and students that will be saying good-bye to the BFA community
For new staff who are currently in the process of raising support and preparing to come to Germany over the summer
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