The last month of school always flies by. Let me give you a snap shot...
There's the Junior/Senior Banquet. I enjoyed seeing my small group girls as well as many of the students I became close with all dressed up. I really enjoy the banquet as they honor the Seniors as they leave high school.
There's the Junior/Senior Banquet. I enjoyed seeing my small group girls as well as many of the students I became close with all dressed up. I really enjoy the banquet as they honor the Seniors as they leave high school.
In May there is also the Staff Appreciation Dinner. Each year they commend the departing staff. As a departing gift, I received a book about the Black Forest from the school. Each year it is hard to see friends that I've grown close to stand on stage as they are commended for years of service. The stage seemed to have lengthened as I walked across it to receive my certificate in recognition of service.
with good friends Tim (the Director) and Sandee Shuman
In May I also helped keep the time for the track meet BFA hosted. BFA does not have a track and field, but we rent one once a year to host the DoDDS teams that BFA competes against. The day started out nicely, but by the end it was pouring buckets on us all! This was my third time helping out at the event. Later in May I was able to watch both the boys and girls soccer teams in tournament. (The girls placed first and the boys placed second...Go Falcons!) 
My roommate and I also had all the Juniors from Palmgarten, the dorm we volunteer at over for dinner. We fit twelve people into our tiny apartment!
I was also invited to the Senior Appreciation dinner at Palmgarten. It was an honor to be invited to this event. I enjoyed many laughs and tears as we cherished each of the Seniors before they graduated. Over the last three years I have been able to build a deep relationship with these girls. 
I was also invited to the Senior Appreciation dinner at Palmgarten. It was an honor to be invited to this event. I enjoyed many laughs and tears as we cherished each of the Seniors before they graduated. Over the last three years I have been able to build a deep relationship with these girls. 
One of the hardest parts of my decision to leave at this point was when I thought of my small group. I have been blessed to watch these girls grow and mature in their walk with the Lord and with each other. I will miss them dearly next year.
Graduation was bittersweet. It was wonderful to celebrate with each of the students their achievement. Knowing that I would not be returning to BFA in the fall made it much more difficult to say good bye because once these kids leave this place, they return to Korea, Australia, Canada or the US. It is hard to know when I will see them again. I have the reassurance that I will see them again in heaven and for this I am thankful.
Since graduation I have said so many good byes to fellow staffers at least every other day as they return to their home country for fundraising or as they also leave the missionfield.
All of this has been going on while I finished writing my Annual Reports plus I was asked to write the two reports for each of the returning students as the Discovery department will be short handed next fall. I have now cleared out of my office and working on packing up my apartment.
As I reflect back on the last three years I feel so blessed. I am blessed first because the Lord opened this opportunity for me to partner with missionaries across Europe, Asia and Africa by teaching and ministering to their children. I am also blessed for you who have partnered with me during this time both financially and through prayer. I could not have made it through without your faithfulness.I am also blessed because of the opportunities that the Lord opened up for me while I've been here. The first year I was able to volunteer at two dorms and had seven students. My second year I had six students and cut back to volunteering at one dorm. I started out co-leading a small group, but when the other leader needed to return to Canada during the year I took over. I lead a mission trip to Poland. This year I continued to volunteer at the dorm, lead a small group and also had six students. Over the course of the three years I have had numerous students over for a home cooked meal. We have also been a place where residence staff have come for some quiet away from the dorm (and a home cooked meal!)
I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had to serve here at BFA, but even more so in sewing into the family of God. I do not know all of how the Lord has used me, but I am thankful for the relationships that have been built. Looking at Jesus as an example of ministry, so much of what he did was built upon relationship. Though I will not be at BFA again in the fall, I know that I can continue the relationships with many of these students.
As I reflect back on the last three years I feel so blessed. I am blessed first because the Lord opened this opportunity for me to partner with missionaries across Europe, Asia and Africa by teaching and ministering to their children. I am also blessed for you who have partnered with me during this time both financially and through prayer. I could not have made it through without your faithfulness.I am also blessed because of the opportunities that the Lord opened up for me while I've been here. The first year I was able to volunteer at two dorms and had seven students. My second year I had six students and cut back to volunteering at one dorm. I started out co-leading a small group, but when the other leader needed to return to Canada during the year I took over. I lead a mission trip to Poland. This year I continued to volunteer at the dorm, lead a small group and also had six students. Over the course of the three years I have had numerous students over for a home cooked meal. We have also been a place where residence staff have come for some quiet away from the dorm (and a home cooked meal!)
I collected over 108 thermoses for the Candlelight Dinner, an outreach to the German community by the school, for two years...here are a few of them
I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had to serve here at BFA, but even more so in sewing into the family of God. I do not know all of how the Lord has used me, but I am thankful for the relationships that have been built. Looking at Jesus as an example of ministry, so much of what he did was built upon relationship. Though I will not be at BFA again in the fall, I know that I can continue the relationships with many of these students.Practically speaking...
At this point I continue to be undersupported, which has impacted my salary from Janz Team considerably this month. Janz Team will continue to send me funds that are in my account with them until September, which is one month for every year that I was a missionary with the mission. If you are currently using automatic withdrawal they will stop taking money out at that time.
Prayer Points
** Finances
** Housing (I have a couple leads so that is GREAT! I will let you know what my new address is as soon as I know it!)
** Car
** Job when I return to Minnesota
** A good closure as I spend my last week in Kandern
** A peaceful transition to the States for me and the students who will be returning to their home country over the course of the summer
** Safe travel
