Bethany's Bulletin

This semester was off to an interesting start at Black Forest Academy. Within a week of getting back to school after Christmas break, the students and staff were hit by a combination of flu/virus/cold epidemic. At one point approximately 70 students were home due to various ailments. This figure does not include the staff that were hit by it either! I too had been stuck a virus and tried to avoid missing any school, but due to another bout with bronchitis I needed to stay home for a few days.

Discovery-ing Madrid...

At the end of January, I was able to join ten other NILD (National Institute for Learning Development) Educational Therapists for a gathering in Madrid, Spain. The purpose of this time was to refresh and review some of the techniques used in Discovery. A pleasant surprise for me was to see a lady from Russia I had taken Level I training with in 2003! It was encouraging to meet with other therapists who are working with missionary kids all around Europe!

I have already posted a picture of the whole group
(on the following post),
but here is a picture of the ladies that I work with in the Discovery Department.

Missions Trip to Poland!

In my last letter I told you about an opportunity I have to go on a missions trip to Poland. There are 15 students and three leaders. We will be working in the town of Wraclaw where the parents of two BFA students are currently ministering. While we are there we will have the opportunity to help them renovate a building they use for their church. This building is also being used to facilitate other outreaches of the church to the community. The students have chosen to learn some drama skits so that they can do some outreaches while we are there as well! During some of the evenings the team will also have various opportunities to interact with other youth from the community, like a pick-up game of soccer for example (Sports are a great tool to introduce the un-churched to Christ.) Some of the details are still being worked out, like transportation. Please keep the team and the coordinators in your prayers as the time approaches. The dates for the trip are March 15 through the 22.

The missions team gathers for lunch and shares prayer requests.

This trip, however, comes with some needs and I was wondering if you would consider helping out. I have never been in the leadership role of a missions' trip and would covet your prayers during this time. I am looking forward to this trip and getting to know the students as we work together. Some things you could pray for include

• Health of the team, especially since we will be doing some manual labor
• Safety in travel
• Pray also that I would show the heart of Christ to those on my team as well as for the people we are serving

I also have some financial needs as well. As a leader, I need to raise 250 Euro, which is approximately $360 for this trip. This seems like a hurdle, but I know that if God wants me on the team, He will provide. Would you, though, consider helping out? If you are able to help out by giving financially that would be a huge blessing!

Please let me know if you will be praying for the team as we head to Poland. It is an encouragement to me to when people are praying for me. This way I can also give you more specific ways that you can pray for me.

As a side note, I love getting notes and letters from you as well!

Blessings to you!

Things I'm thankful for... (November Newsletter)

During this season of reflection and thanksgiving I wanted to share with you some things that I am thankful for this year.

…a good start to the school year. The school year started and it was good to be back. I was so eager for the students to return, I went up to Palmgarten, the dorm up the street from me, and welcomed them as they arrived. Being a part of the returning staff also has its benefits—with the turn over rate of about 1/3 of students and staff alike each year I have found that I am now one of the people that I am one of the pros!

…seven students—a full load! Actually one student shy of a full teaching load, but it keeps me busy! I have had several interesting conversations with each of my students and opportunities to pray with them. It is such a blessing it is to pray with my students about what is going on in their lives.

Earlier in the fall during Spiritual Emphasis Week one of my students gave her life to Christ. This was a very exciting time for many of us. She has many struggles in addition to her learning deficits. Since that time however, she has slipped back into many of her old patterns. As I work with her I am reminded of Romans 12:2, where Paul encourages the believer to “not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” To me what is amazing about the Discovery program is that through Educational Therapy we are able to transform the students’ minds. The students are able to do and learn things many never thought were possible before! Please continue to pray for wisdom for me as opportunities to talk with her and to challenge her in her walk with the Lord.

…I am able to serve at BFA—Being at Black Forest Academy (BFA) entails so much more than Educational Therapy. I love working with each of my students and seeing them grow and when they struggle, but that is only part of what I do here at BFA. I have continued volunteering each week at one of the dorms I went to last year. I have enjoyed continuing building on the relationships that were built last year and building new ones with the new students.

Another way that I serve here at BFA is to open my apartment to Resident Assistants who need a quiet getaway on their day off. My apartment has also become a place where the girls from Palmgarten also enjoy coming to be in a home atmosphere away from the dorm. During the month of October my roommate and I were able to host over 40 people!

…I am thankful for the opportunity to return to BFA next year!—After much prayer I have told BFA that I will be returning for a third year. I am excited to be able to continue to work with Missionary Kids and to continue relationships that have been established. I would ask you to prayerfully consider if you are to continue to partner with me as I have extended my initial commitment to BFA; whether you are to also continue supporting me through prayer, financial support, or special gifts.

…for the Lords’ creativity in His provision—The Lord has provided for me in so many different ways! I am still short of where I need to be financially, however the Lord has been faithful to meet my needs. This fall a Bible study was started by a few of us single female teachers who needed a support and accountability network. I have enjoyed getting to know a few of these gals on a new level. Another added benefit of volunteering at the dorm is through the meals I can partake of. I have an open invitation to “drop in” anytime for a meal, which means that if grocery money is short, I still have a place to go. There are also a couple families in town who have opened their homes for me to go to at any time. This is a special blessing for me since last year there were several times when I got lonely, but didn’t realize that there were places I could go besides the dorm.

…a good visit back to the United States last summer—Although I was only back in the State for one (short) month, it was good to see many of you! The weekend I arrived in Minnesota both my brother and sister moved back to Minnesota too. I also enjoyed sharing my vision and passion that I have for Missionary Kids over a cup of coffee, dinner or bon fires.

…a good living situation—Last year my living situation was challenging. I am thankful that the Lord has brought Meghan to BFA and is my roommate. We are able to talk on a variety of topics together and laugh freely. We also enjoy some of the important things in life together—like coffee!

…to go on missions trip with students from BFA—The first week of spring break seventy-four students and fourteen staff and faculty from BFA will go on missions trips through out Africa and Europe. BFA has two weeks for Spring Break so that the students, can go on missions trips and spend time with their family. I will be joined by two other leaders and twelve students as we head to Poland. I am excited work along side the parents of some BFA students through work projects, street evangelism.

Keep checking back for more information regarding this trip!

As you can see, there is a lot to be thankful for! I would like to thank each of you for how you have contributed to the ministry of Black Forest Academy through your prayer and financial support of me.