March Happenings
Spring is here in the Black Forest area! With that, we’ve seen buds on trees, blooming flowers, and new grass springing up out of the muddy soil.
This month we’ve also seen growth and blossoming that has come in this season that we are in here at BFA.
High School Retreat
March started out with the high school retreat in Mannheim, Germany, where BFA students and volunteers spent the weekend at a Youth Hostel. The weekend included lots of uno, late nights, exploring the city as a small group, a mega-relay, sessions led by a speaker who was also a TCK (Third Culture Kid), lots of snacks, and a “silent-disco”. The silent disco was new to me and included a room full of sweaty people dancing to music you hear only in your headphones. You can tune into one of three DJs, all playing different songs on one of three stations. It was a highlight for my girls (that’s what the glowing headphone pic is next to this column)
The theme of the weekend was “captivated” and our small group talked about ways we can “tune-in” to God. (Not sure if the team who planned the event realized how the silent disco night would be such a great connection with what the speaker had to share and resonated with my group of gals.)
A Look Into The Classroom
This month the art students have had some great experiences inside and outside the classroom.
The beginning of March, the ceramics students put together an all-school garden gnome scavenger hunt; in Jameson’s words “an experiential-art-experience”. The ceramics class made garden gnomes out of clay, painted them with glaze and hid them around BFA’s school campus. Whoever found all the gnomes and figured out the clue written on the bottom of the gnomes won a candy prize…and also just had fun with the excitement of the scavenger hunt.
The ceramics students also went on a tour of the local ceramics museum and learned about the history of pottery in Kandern. (Kristen was able to come along as an interpreter).
Next month the ceramics students will be displaying some of their artwork in a part of this museum. Students will be able to share about their artwork while food is being served and live music being played by BFA piano students.
Outside Of The School Day
As we have gotten more into a rythm here in our work roles (and haven’t had to be studying for the drivers test…hehe), we’ve had more capacity and energy to do things outside of the school/work day with students as well and include them into our family life.
Getting to know them better, hearing their stories, and learning about their interests are some things that we think is important during our time here.
Jameson started a Mario Tournament on the third Thursday of each month, which so far has drawn in a big group of students that have a common interest in video games.
Family
Our kids are continuing to adjust to life here and have grown a lot …not only in centimeters ;)
A week after posting the last blog update and asking for prayer for Nathan to get accepted into Kindergarten here, Kara’s Kindergarten teacher pulled me aside and told me that Nathan would be able to start there in the beginning of May (btw- Kindergarten here is similar to preschool in the States) He is thrilled.
Kara’s german-speaking skills have really blossomed, being around German-speakers all morning at Kindergarten. She enjoys teaching her siblings the songs she learns at school and playing with neighbors from her class. Her German friends have been reminding me that Kara is speaking “a lot of German now”…although, Kara, a girl of many many words, says she does not know much German yet.
Amber is enjoying school & her favorite part of the school day is “seeing friends”. She is still a little hesitant in speaking in German. Amber has also been enjoying being out on her scooter and bike.
On one of our recent family bike rides we unknowingly started biking across a path covered in manure that had mixed with some new rain water. (It is what we call “tractor season here now and the farmers are spraying their fields to prepare for planting) Because of the wet path, we had been sprayed literally, from head to toe with animal poo & didn’t realize it until we were all going across this part of the trail when the smell really intensified…we are avoiding the bike paths for a while until “tractor-season” passes.
Joelle is thriving at school and also has made some good friends. She continues to enjoy art classes and often says “maybe someday I can be in one of your art classes, dad”. Some of you may have seen our little post on our facebook group, that Joelle gave her first german presentation this month…she chose to research about Papageien (parrots).
Upcoming News and Prayer Requests
Prayer Request - In our last update we had included the news that Jameson’s dad was diagnosed with cancer this winter. We decided to visit him during BFA’s spring break. While the visit will be short, we hope to have some quality time with him & family.
Praise - Nathan will be starting Kindergarten in May!
Prayer Request - We are approaching the last stretch of the school year. Please pray for students and staff to finish of the school year well.
Praise - We will be moving out of this years housing arrangement in July. The home that we will be moving into is located in Kandern, close to the school. We are excited to have a space that can be used well for our ministry and family…Prayer Request The move to this new home will increase the cost of rent and utilities. The amount of monthly increase is roughly 600 EUR (300 EUR in rent and 300 EUR in pre-paid utilities). This winter we found out we can earn income in Germany (up to 450 EUR a month) without much a tax implication. Because of this, we are hoping to use our photography portrait business to help with this increase to our costs. We are also asking for additional financial funding for this increase to our cost of living here. Donation Link
Prayer Request - It has been a huge joy to serve here at BFA. Our skills and giftings match with the school needs and we are considering serving here at BFA for a third year. Please pray with us for discernment in this.
