Summer 2023 updates

Aug 18

The countdown is on for the start of the 2023 school year…12 more days until BFA’s halls are filled with International students from around the world.

This summer we have been gearing up for the new school year and are excited to see what the 2023-2024 school year has in store.

Jameson will continue in his roll as the head of the art department and will be teaching ceramics 1,2, & 3. He was able to raise enough money to buy another potters-wheel for his classroom this summer- which also can increase his class size by 2 more students. His classroom also got some new art supplies, that he is excited about using with the students to help give them some more tools to create some really cool art.

I have been in the health office a fair amount since the school year ended, learning some of the tasks that need to happen during the summer at an International School. These past months, I supported the health office staff with some of those tasks to prepare for the new school year which will help in supporting the health and well-being of our students and staff. This year I will be in the office a little more and will continue making medical appointments for students and communicating with Doctors offices in the German community.

A Summer Move into Kandern

We have some exciting news!…We moved into Kandern from Holzen in mid-July and are centrally located in town now. Our home is much closer to BFA and also closer to more of the dorms- even grocery stores are within walking distance. The home we were in last year was something we knew we would only be living in for the first year here. Our new Kandern yellow-butter-colored apartment will allow us a little more space for hospitality and family-life. This was an answer to prayer. We will miss living near our Holzen neighbors, but Kara and Nathan will still be in the Kindergarten (preschool) in Holzen this upcoming year.

Our fabulous downstairs neighbors / landlords from Holzen.

Our new home in Kandern. We live on the second and third floor with our “front door” at the back of the house.

A rear view of our home. Interesting facts about this home:
It was built over 100 years ago.
This was once a shoe makers store (first floor), work space (second floor) and living quarters (third floor).
There used to be a double decker outhouse attached to the exterior of the house. One on the far left of the porch and the other on the ground level.

Big News - Third Year at BFA Approved

Some more big news to share is that we had applied for and were approved by Reach Global to serve at BFA for a THIRD year, extending our original commitment by one year. Both Jameson and I felt led to pursue this extension-Here are our reasons why…

Uprooting and becoming established in a new community takes time, resources and energy; last year we grew in our roles at BFA & in our relationships with others here in the community. We would like to continue to build into the community, school and students lives as they have a need for both of us in our roles in the 2024-2025 school year. (Stability in a school that primarily serves MKs is a big deal)
Per BFA’s leadership, Jameson has been able to strengthen the art program this past year. Black Forest Academy would benefit from having an art teacher as the head of the department with a background in business for an additional year without interruption. He has also built a bridge with the local art community that could benefit from more time with growth.
In 2024, the Health Office will be going through a major transition in staff and I could help carry over knowledge for the incoming nursing staff. One of the nurses that has been here for over ten years is moving after this school year.
Learning the tasks that need to happen behind the scenes at an International School takes time and my background with the German language has been an asset to the Health Office. (Please pray for more health office staff- one of our new nurses is currently raising support and is hoping to come sometime this school year)
By adding a third year here, this would allow me to stick with my small group girls all the way through their senior year/graduation. I’d like to be here to continue to walk with, encourage, and build up these girls.
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.

Visitors from Minnesota

On a personal note, we had some visitors from Minnesota this summer. Our friends, David and Rachel came earlier this month and my sisters family also just spent a few days here. They were able to get a glimpse of what life is like in the Southwestern corner of Germany. It was such a gift to spend some quality time together with them.

David and Rachel with us on Hochblauen (just north of Kandern)

Sarah, Noble and their crew with our family on day-hike in Switzerland.

Looking Ahead in these Upcoming Weeks…

Black Forest Academy’s All-Staff training began today and runs into next week.
Incoming dorm students begin to arrive in a week.
There are a variety of meetings and school events planned as students and families arrive until the school year officially begins August 30th
Jameson will continue prepping his classroom and lessons. He is also in the process of making 30+ mugs for the BFA merch table for next week.
Kara and Nathan just started their summer break and will start up with Kindergarten again mid-September (Kara is very excited to have her Kindergarten friends over next week for a Birthday party)
Joelle and Amber will be back at CSK starting the first week of September. Joelle will be in 4th grade and Amber will be in 2nd grade.
Our local German church, F.e.G Kandern, is doing a Lego outreach week in October that we will be helping out with ‘ein bisschen’ (=a little in German). More to come on that.

Praise & Prayer Requests

Many of you have asked how Jameson’s dad, Jim, has been doing…a HUGE answer to prayer- He is in remission. Praise God! He had decided to forgo chemo treatment and try a medication that has little to no-side effects which has significantly helped him feel better and his bloodwork is looking really good.
Please pray for:
continued growth in relationships with new and returning students
Kristen’s small group
For Nathan as he is still working on learning German and gets frustrated that he still can’t fully communicate what he would like to yet in German
Students and families who will be traveling this week
That God would continue to do big things at and through Black Forest Academy and the families that serve around the globe