October Newsletter

This year is off to a great start. It was wonderful to see the students after the long summer.

Catching Up...

I'll tell you more about that in a minute, but first let me tell you about my summer. Heading into the summer my goal was to raise $500 per month. I had reached that estimate with the original amount that I'd need to raise from when I first moved to the missionfield two years ago. With the dollar sinking, however, it became apparent that I'd need to increase that amount to $700 per month. In regards to fundraising, the summer was very challenging and not as successful as I had hoped, especially considering how I'd need to raise extra money. I was told by one of my main church supporters that they were unable to continue supporting me this year. As I faced the possibility of that loss I knew that the Lord would continue to uphold me and sustain me as I returned to Germany for my last year of service at Black Forest Academy. God brought along another church to fill in nearly the same amount of support that was lost at the end of the summer. For that I am very grateful. Since returning to Germany the USD has gotten a little stronger, but I still have a lack in the finances I need in order to get by.

School Begins..

Just over a month ago the students came flooding back to Black Forest Academy (BFA). Since the dorm staff need to be in the dorms when their students arrive a massive effort is orchestrated for staff and local missionaries to pick up the 170 students who board at the seven dorms located around the area. I was able to drive one of the dorm vans to pick up a few students, all of whom were on the Poland mission trip with me last spring. Along with those students I also picked up the parents of one of the kids that came on the trip. I was thrilled to meet them and hear about how they serve in another land, where the gospel is not able to be shared freely. It was another reminder of the importance of this ministry at BFA to the children of missionaries who have sacrificed so much for the Gospel.

Life as I Know It...

As school started there were days where I felt like I had stepped into a scene from the movie Radio where he's walking down the hall and people are greeting him with big smiles and high fives, except I was getting hugs instead of high fives.

I have continued going to Palmgarten, the dorm I've been volunteering at for the last two years. I have really enjoyed building the relationships with the girls in that dorm as I've seen them grow up into young women.

This fall I have enjoyed hosting various students, residence staff and new staff at my apartment. Since dorm students and staff eat cafeteria style food, I enjoy finding new recipes to make for them. My latest, greatest find is Peanut Curry Chicken....yummy! They don't only come over for meals--I also enjoy having them over for coffee, conversation or to relax while watching a movie. Tonight my roommate and I will welcome the seven Palmgarten sophomores for dinner and a movie at our apartment.

This is the second year that I have led a small group. I have all the same girls from last year, which is quite the feat here at BFA considering how transient a community it is. I love having the girls come into my home where we can talk about what's going on in their lives, worship, pray and discuss the Bible together. This year we are going to go through the book by John Piper, Don't Waste Your Lives. I read the book this summer and got so excited to share it with "my girls". This year I also want to be more intentional about meeting with the girls individually outside of small group.

Academically, this year is off to a great start. I have three new students this year in Discovery. Initially my student load was in flux, but has stabilized at six. I have enjoyed gaining an elementary student this year. He even invited me to his third grade class party! Another student of mine, who has struggled personally and spiritually, seems to be making some good choices in regards to school and attitude. She still has a lot of baggage that needs to be sorted through, however. Please pray with me that she will continue to look to the Lord for strength and guidance during this time in her life. I have enjoyed seeing change taking place in her life. This past week I had the privilege to be invited to her home as she celebrated her birthday with her family.

Thank you, again, for all your prayer and support for me over the last two years.