Bast Family @ BFA - Third Year - Fundraiser

Hello everyone! It is with hopeful anticipation that we are writing this today. We are kicking off our fundraiser for our third year at Black Forest Academy!

Over the past year and a half, we have been working at BFA in Kandern, Germany. Our initial plan was to serve at BFA for two years and being open to God’s leading in the future. Both Kristen and I have felt called to serve here for a third year. We have seen doors open for year three and have taken some steps to act on it.

Why a Third Year?

As was shared in an earlier update, there are several reasons why is makes sense for us to continue in our roles through a third year:

• Stability of our service in our roles at BFA- which is a big deal at an International School with people coming and going.

• To help meet BFA’s critical staffing needs for 2024-2025.

• Art Department - Consistency in learning for students coming through the Ceramics classes and being mentored in their artistic growth. Continued growth with connections in the Kandern community.

• Health Office - There is a large transition with nurses in the Health Office next year as two of the three nurses are moving. Kristen will be helping with the transition in the health office with new staff. At BFA, where students are coming in from around the globe, some of the behind the scenes tasks are unique to an International School setting with a boarding program.

• Student Relationships- Kristen’s small group will be graduating at the end of our third year here. She will be a consistent adult relationship in their time here at BFA and has already built solid relationships with those girls. I have also been connecting with the students in and outside my classroom. I enjoy lunchtime Foosball games with students, video game club, ultimate frisbee, and open studio time in the ceramics room.

• Joelle, Amber, Kara and Nathan would also benefit from having another year of uninterrupted stability as they have been learning the language and have been establishing friendships as well.

• We’ve stepped through some doors we’ve seen opening these past months; applying with Reach Global and being accepted for the third year as short term status; finding housing in Kandern to fit our family and also have space for hospitality/ministry that we don’t have to move out of, but could continue to live in through our time here; Nathan getting into preschool; deepening local connections with the German community and the International BFA Community. As we share some of this information, some may seem like minor details, but we continue to see these small openings as confirmation and a “yes” to stay through the 2024-2025 school year.

Our Ministry Fundraising Need

Thanks to the partnership and generous giving of over 70 individuals and several churches we have been fully supported to serve here in our roles at BFA for the first two years of service.

Based on our current monthly giving and the amount of one-time gifts that were given, we will need to raise $35,000 to cover the cost of doing ministry here at BFA through July 2025. Our current monthly giving is $3,625 and our monthly costs are $7,500. The balance in our ministry account will be able to absorb the deficit each month until early fall 2024. Lord willing, if we can raise our goal of $35,000, our account will cover the complete third year of service.

What is included in the cost of living in Germany to serve at Black Forest Academy:

• Specific ministry expenses (example: small group activities, hospitality/food for students)

• Health insurance

• Rent & utilities in our apartment

• Education costs for our kids

• General living expenses (food, fuel, car insurance, ect.)

• Mission Agency Service Allocation

In Germany, one can earn up to 450 EUR monthly without any German tax implication. By doing some photography and selling some pottery, I’ve been able to add that to our general living expenses to offset some of the cost of living.

How You Can Get Involved

Please pray for BFA, the ministry here and fundraising needs. We know that all things are as a result of what God is doing; not the works of men. (Ephesians 2:9)

Please also prayerfully consider joining in on our fundraiser through either monthly giving, an increase in monthly support, or through a one-time donation. Your gift helps to support care & education for missionary kids and missions around the globe through the families represented in 30 different countries.

We are looking forward to continuing to being a part of what God is doing here at and through Black Forest Academy.

We will continue to “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always and remember the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 105:4-5)

Join us!

Fundraising Goal Timeline: February 1, 2024