March Newsletter

High School Retreat
I just got back from the High School retreat last night. The speaker, Wayne Patterson from Young Life Oregon, spoke forthrightly to the students about walking daily with Christ. It was received well by the students, especially since he didn't talk to their emotions. Every year the school is broken down into small groups. I was thankful for the times that our group spent together. They shared openly and honestly as they reflected on what the speaker spoke on as well as branching out in asking their own questions. I was really impressed with how the girls gave earnest thought in their responses (as well as keeping us all laughing at times too!) The theme that was given for the retreat was "pit stop," a time to pull over, get refueled, maintenance if need and recharged for the rest of the race...school year. I did not get too much sleep over the weekend, but I did have some good one-on-one chats with a few girls in addition to the small group times.

Discovery
The students and staff are all squirmy counting down the days until Spring Break. In the days that precede Spring Break I will start the laborious task of annual testing and report writing. For some students this is a particularly difficult time. Testing can be a very draining process. Please pray for the students during this time. I test them during their regular Discovery session, which is 80 minutes twice a week, but testing can take four or five hours and sometimes longer, depending on the student.

Candle Light Dinner
Last weekend was a busy, busy time for the BFA community. The first weekend in March the cafeteria and auditorium were transformed into a dinner theater. This year the theme was "Sing Freedom!" 100 members of the BFA and Kandern community joined together to sing in a gospel choir about the Freedom that Christ gives through the life of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. The purpose of the Candle Light Dinner is an outreach opportunity to invite German neighbors to hear the Good News as it is proclaimed. Although I didn't join the choir, I collected 112 carafes for coffee and hot water so that the attendees could sip a hot beverage with their delectable dessert. The performance is given twice over the course of a weekend and hundreds are in attendance. Please pray for those who came and heard the gospel for the first or second time. The timing of this weekend was after the German version of Mardi Gras, only it is a nation-wide festival. Pray that as they heard and watched the gospel message clearly given, that they would give their lives over to Christ.

Transition Tracker
As the high school retreat wrapped up, it really hit me hard that I have three months left at BFA. I have three months left to invest in the lives of the girls and students that I interact with on a daily basis. I have three months left to say good bye to the students and friends that I've become so close to over the last three years. I have three months to bring to a close my life for the last three years. Granted, I won't be severing my connections here as I return to the US, but once I leave it won't be the same if or when I return.
Returning
Some of you may be wondering what my plans are for when I return to the States. At this point I am planning on staying in Kandern until the end of June. Last year I had several urgent things that needed to be done simultaneously: planning to return for a summer of fundraising, finishing my annual reports, preparing to take a grad level class for Discovery, saying good bye to students and staff who weren't returning. This year I am anticipating a similar situation: reports to write, end of the year conferences to be had with parents, saying good-bye to many who have been a part of my life these last three years, packing, packing, packing, and preparing for what lies ahead!

Life After BFA
So, what lies ahead for me? I will take a year to work and save money in order to start my grad classes. At this point I have a place I can stay, but I don't have anything else lined up. I appreciate any helpful suggestions that you may have.

The thought is sometimes daunting when I think of needing to return to the States. What will life be like back in Minneapolis? What will I drive? I have lived a very simple life these last three years. I've had no car expenses and cell phone. Yes, I have learned that one can live without it! I have "made do" without a car, even though I have sometimes experienced cabin or "Kandern" fever; I know that I am returning to a place where life is not so simple. When I start to get overwhelmed by the thought I either give it to the Lord or push it out of my mind thinking that I don't need to deal with or worry about that at the moment, but life is catching up with me and I cannot put it off any longer!

Financially, Janz Team Ministries will continue to keep me on their payroll one month for every year of service--as long as there is money in my account. There have been a few one-time, or special, gifts that have been able to help me maintain support, but those funds are running low and nearly depleted. Please pray with me for the Lords provision in these last six months.

Who said that 30 is old???
I surely never said that...! In a few short weeks I get to celebrate 30 years of life! I am actually looking forward to this mile marker. As I look back on my short life I am so blessed by seeing God's fingerprints all over it. I am thankful to Him for His protection over my life as I gave my life to Him at a young age. I have seen His hands of provision from a young age when my family sold everything and moved to the missionfield. (Missions is in my blood. My great grandparents moved from Niagra Falls, NY to St Paul, MN as missionaries when my grandma was a few months old.) I am so thankful for the godly heritage that I have. Opportunities to study in foreign lands (and even at a German elementary school for a bit too) added to my appreciation of history and cultures. I have had many, many different chapters in my life in which I have met many wonderful people who have added to the tapestry of my life. Thank you!


Prayer Requests
*Students who were challenged and want to make changes in their daily walk with the Lord.
*Students in the Discovery Program who will be starting Annual Testing
*Attendees of the Candle Light Dinner that what they heard would transform their lives.
*Saying good-bye to the BFA community
*Having a good rest of the school year
*Finances
*Plans for next year
*A car to drive when I return to the US

Praises
*A great high school retreat: for the responsiveness of the students, for the interactions I had with my small group and God's hand of protection on the students while in transit and at the retreat.
*That things went smoothly with the Candle Light Dinner
*That I have a place to stay next year