BFA | Tales From The Black Forest

Posts Tagged ‘BFA’

Page 1 of 312 3 »

September 5th, 2010

In A Cow Traffic Jam

No Comments »

Written by Israel Filed under: BFA, Travel, Video

For those who don’t use Facebook here is a link to the two videos! Enjoy.

The Introduction

Tags: BFA, Black Forest Academy, Dani, Germany, Israel, Israel's Video, Missionary Kids, Switzerland, Travel, Video, Weekend

September 1st, 2010

Our Boxes Arrived

2 Comments »

Written by Israel Filed under: BFA, Family, Life, Video

Our Boxes Arrived For those who don’t use Facebook here is a link to the video! Enjoy this short video.

Tags: BFA, Dani, Family, friends, Israel, Israel's Video, Video

August 23rd, 2010

And the Year Begins

3 Comments »

Written by Israel Filed under: BFA, Prayer, Work & School

Tomorrow Is the Day, the First Day of School

Woah. Can you believe it? We’ve been waiting for over a year to meet the students of Black Forest Academy, and now we get to. It will be extremely exciting, I’m sure.

We’ll start the day off with BFA’s Opening Ceremony, which includes a flag processional for all of the different countries represented this year. For those of you who’ve been to JBU, it’s like International Chapel, which pretty much guarantees that Dani will cry. The Opening Ceremony is meant to be inspiring and fun for all involved, especially the students. Right now, that’s all I know specifically about the first day of school. I’m sure Dani knows way more specifics, but my main job will be taking pictures and capturing what goes on.

The First Time For Many Students

After the Opening Ceremony tomorrow, parents will say goodbye to their kids. We’re told that it’s a very difficult time, with lots of tears. Tomorrow will be the first time for about 70 students to be at BFA. Most of them probably haven’t ever stayed at a boarding school. They will be leaving their parents and having many experiences that college students have back in the states: homesickness, a new environment, a new country, nothing familiar, no parents, dorm life. As you can imagine, it can be difficult.

There will be around 350 students total this year. I think there are around 47 students in the elementary school, which includes a bilingual school. The elementary school is in another town about 10-15 minutes away. The building is very tiny for the amount of students they have this year. They are growing each year, so everyone here is excited about the potential for that school.

Every year there are many changes, both for staff and students. New staff arrives, current staff change positions, and old staff leave. This year there is even a new director. Every year, students must say goodbye to their teachers, dorm staff and friends. BFA is a place that is always changing. Tomorrow is the beginning of another year, which will inevitably look different from the next one. Yet in all of these changes, God is present and at work. As you can imagine, the first day can be pretty overwhelming for everyone, but it holds so much hope and potential too.

God’s Timing Is Perfect

Over the past month, we’ve had moments when we couldn’t believe that we were finally here. Our hearts have been at BFA since July of last year, so it’s nice that our bodies have finally joined them. As we prepare for tomorrow, it feels like the fulfillment of the path God set us on over a year ago. He’s been building and shaping us for this, for what begins tomorrow. It’s become abundantly clear that this was his perfect timing for us to be at BFA. We are honored to have the opportunity to serve these kids. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this new year.

Some Things To Be Praying About For The School

That families will know how to say goodbye well. That parents will be able to have peace about their decisions to send their children to BFA.
That the new students will not get overwhelmed by the enemy, but will have peace and excitement in their transitions.
That all the students will have a good first day and first week, and will figure out all their class schedules.
That the new director will have peace and know how to lead.
That the staff at BFA will be rested and ready for anything that might get thrown their way tomorrow.

Some Things You Can Pray About For Us

That we feel like we fit in well at BFA. Dani especially always has a difficult time with the initial adjustment period of new situations.
That we adjust to how long everything takes to done. Washing a load of laundry takes at least 90 minutes, no drying included.
That we are able to be a part of the German community here, by getting to know our landlords, for example.
For our new routine, neither of us have had regular work routines for about a year now. For Dani it’s been two years.
That we continue to pursue God, especially now that our ministry is officially starting up.

Tags: adjusting, BFA, Black Forest Academy, Family, first day, Germany, Goodbyes, Missionary Kids, Opening Ceremonies, Prayer, school, staff, students, transition

August 2nd, 2010

The Morning Walk

2 Comments »

Written by Dani Filed under: Culture, Life, Travel

Hello there folks. Well, according to my little desktop widget, we’ve been in Germany for 17 days. I can’t believe that. It doesn’t seem possible.

Thus far, our time in Kandern has been wonderful. We arrived two weeks before anything started, so we’ve had plenty of time to get over jetlag and settle in. We are incredibly blessed to be living in the home of a woman who’s in The States for a year. This means that from the moment we stepped into our little apartment, we had internet, phone, furniture and food. Many staff members arrive to completely empty apartments. I’m so, so, so glad that wasn’t our experience.

This is our building. The top two windows are ours. Our windows open all the way and there are no screens; it’s fabulous. Also, that’s our car in the driveway. We have purchased and registered the car, but have yet to drive it. All in good time, my friends.

So far, we’ve learned our way around Kandern, learned how to shop, officially registered in the town, registered for a trash can (which we have yet to receive), and figured out the basics of life.

Our new friend Anne, who we met at Orientation, came a few days earlier than she needed to and stayed with us. It was fabulous having her here. We had many a long talk on many a long walk. I think we went for a three hour walk each of the three days she was here. On our first walk, we were caught in a ridiculous thunderstorm. It was a complete downpour for about half an hour. We had no umbrellas or raincoats. It was marvelous, if a bit chilly.

Today we started the first of our three weeks of Orientation—Survival German. Every morning from 9:00 – 12:00, we meet at Black Forest Academy in order to learn a few German language basics, you know, so we can buy food at the grocery store and such.

All of these photos were taken on the walk to school this morning. It’s wonderful to finally begin the “real” BFA stuff. Next week, all of the new staff will learn about the school. The final week of Orientation is for all of the staff.

Israel has been able to do some preliminary work for his job. He’s had several meetings about the media needs of the school and has a better idea of what his job will entail. He even made a trip to Ikea to purchase some new office furniture for the office, which he’ll share with the school’s graphic designer. Israel, Anne and I spent Saturday putting together all of his new office furniture. He’s pretty excited.

Here’s a funny story. We had a few over-ripe bananas. So I thought I’d make banana bread. Fortunately, the home we’re living in is stocked with all of the baking supplies I needed. All went quite well, I thought. I’d even said, “I think my first German baking experience was a success.” And then Israel tried the bread. “Dani,” he said. “What did you put on top of this?”

“Brown sugar, and cinnamon and sugar.” What else would you put on banana bread?

“Are you sure it wasn’t brown sugar, and cinnamon and salt?”

“………….”

Yep. It was salt. All over the banana bread. So here’s a tip, if you ever move to a foreign country, or just into someone else’s home, always taste any unlabeled containers that you assume are sugar.

We are absolutely thrilled to finally be here. Over the past six months, it’s become more and more clear why this is God’s perfect timing for our arrival at BFA. More on that later. Here are a few photos of the school where we’ll spend at least the next two years (hopefully more) loving missionary kids. Yay!!

Tags: apartment, BFA, Black Forest, Black Forest Academy, Car, Germany, Kandern, Life, Nature, Orientation, Photos, Travel, Walks

July 9th, 2010

That They May Know Him Better

1 Comment »

Written by Dani Filed under: Life, Spiritual Journey, Work & School

Since we began this journey 12 months ago, I’ve run the gamut of emotions. I’ve recounted my emotional journey many times since August, so feel free look back if you’ve forgotten. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of documenting our lives (and especially my emotional life), but I haven’t done a very good job of sharing what’s been the driving force behind this drastic life-change, and what has been on my mind every day of these last 12 months.

On July 24th of last year, I received an email from my friend Pam, inviting us to join her at Black Forest Academy for a week. I had never heard of Black Forest Academy and, being the researcher that I am, found the website. I spent the next four or five hours sitting on my bed, devouring every piece of information I could find about BFA. I’m pretty sure that by the time Israel got home later that evening, I’d even blog-stalked several staff people. Basically, I fell in love with BFA from the moment I visited their website. What kept me arrested and what captured my heart wasn’t the excitement, or the opportunity to travel back to Germany, or the even the possibility of doing something fulfilling (though those were all appealing), what made my heart leap was the students. Black Forest Academy is a boarding school for missionary kids. 90% of the 350 students are the children of missionaries.

While at Orientation a few weeks ago, I heard the story of my new friend Anne, and have been reflecting on it ever since. Anne attended BFA as a boarding student for three years during high school. Here’s the short version of her story. One night, she asked her RA why God had taken her away from her home and family to come live with a bunch of MKs. Her RA said, “Because He loves you Anne,” and that statement changed Anne’s life. This story gave voice to the burning passion and hope of my heart—that Jesus would use my life to say to BFA’s students, I love you.

I haven’t shared this in the blog, but in September, I was assigned a small group of seven sophomore girls. Their small group leader was leaving, and, since we thought we would be arriving soon, I was to take over. Since September, I’ve been able to get to know these young women through Facebook, and I love them. Even though I’ve never met them, and have no idea if I’ll understand their stories, or even if I’ll ever lead their small group, they’ve taken up residence in my heart. God placed these girls in my life so that he could increase my love for the students of BFA. These students have sacrificed security, stability, a sense of home, and often aspects of their family, for a calling that wasn’t even theirs.

Israel and I are being sent to be Jesus to these kids, who, though they know many facts about Jesus, might not believe that he delights in them. We’ve been given a great opportunity. We have the privilege of loving the children of people who have taken up a mighty calling. We have the joy of loving students who Jesus deeply cares for, students who have spent their lives telling others about the love of Jesus, but perhaps have never believed it themselves.

I’m doing a poor job of expressing the deep conviction that has grown in my heart, but I think what I want you to know is that these kids are worth it. Just as much as any people group across the globe, they deserve to have someone go on their behalf, that they might know their Creator. Thank you for allowing us to go. Thank you for funding us and sending us out. Thank you for taking up this quest with us, for saying that these kids are important too. I am deeply honored.

Tags: BFA, Black Forest Academy, Jesus, love, mission, Missionary Kids, passion, purpose, supporters, thank you

June 27th, 2010

We’ve Been Oriented

1 Comment »

Written by Dani Filed under: Life, Spiritual Journey, TeachBeyond

Right now, I’m sitting in an armchair at my Mom’s home in Telephone, Texas. In a few days, we’ll say goodbye to them for the last time before we move to Germany. I want to treasure these last few days with them, but I find my mind wandering back to Minnesota.

We spent the last seven days with about 35 other new staff at our sending organization’s orientation. It was amazing. We met some amazing new people—MKs, teachers, staff folks. We learned some amazing things—about Christian Education, living in another country, Third Culture Kids. In short, it was a wonderful time.

Since I’m finding it hard to put my thoughts into words, I’m just going to hit some of the highlights of the week.

Hearing about the vision and mission of TeachBeyond

We have an amazing sending organization, TeachBeyond. We originally picked TeachBeyond because their application process was streamlined with Black Forest Academy’s. We didn’t know much more about their overarching purpose, but now we do. This organization is using education to change the world.

At our orientation, we had new staff members going to 10 different countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. A few years ago, TeachBeyond was sending staff only to BFA. We were also the largest group of new members ever. TeachBeyond is growing. They are using the need and opportunity of education to further the kingdom of God. If you’re a teacher or want to serve overseas, check out TeachBeyond. God is doing amazing things through this group.

Meeting our mission family

When we went to Orientation, I didn’t expect to find a new family, but that’s what happened. Every person there shared our passion for loving students and MKs. These are people who know what it’s like to sell all of their belongings and leave their lives of comfort for the sake of the Kingdom. People who know the humility, dependence and miracle of asking people to join you in a mission. People who have agreed to step into the unknown, for the sake of Christ. I expected to enjoy getting to know new people, but I didn’t expect to be sad to leave them. I was always excited about loving the students at BFA, but now I’m excited about loving the staff as well.

Not only did we get to meet all the other new missionaries, we were also able to meet the TeachBeyond staff who have supported us during the past year. We met Mike, the first person to contact us. We met the amazing women who handle all of our pledges and finances. We even met the President of the organization. It was a privilege to see these people. There’s no way we’d be going to Germany without them.

Being Encouraged and Affirmed in Our Purpose

More than anything else, this weekend was an encouragement. For the past year, I really didn’t plan to be at Orientation; I planned to be in Germany. Fortunately, God is much wiser than I. I’m so thankful we were at Orientation. Throughout the entire week, we were strengthened in our desire and purpose for BFA. We saw more clearly the need for our skills and passions. We were even able to talk with several MKs, two who attended BFA themselves, about their lives and experiences. We feel more prepared and purposed because of Orientation.

Meeting Anne

Anne is an MK from Central Asia. She spent 10 years living in another country and attended BFA for three years. While she was there, God used one of her RAs (Resident Assistants) to help her understand the depth of his love, which is why she’s going back to be an RA herself. I loved getting to know Anne. There have been two people in my life with whom I’ve had an instant connection. One of these people was Pam, who changed my world by introducing us to BFA. Anne makes a third. I was so encouraged by Anne. She is wise, and thoughtful and insightful. I am so excited that I’ll be able to spend the next two years loving MKs alongside her.

Hearing the Stories of our Fellow Staff

One of our favorite parts of Orientation was hearing the testimonies of other staff members. Each night, we would gather to share what Christ had done in our lives. It was amazing to see the work of God in the lives of these 40 or so people. It was wonderful to see the way that God drew each of us to himself and then gave us the opportunity to serve him overseas. I can’t wait to hear what God does over the next few years through us all.

Please pray for these people. I can promise you, they are all amazing, and God will use them each to accomplish his work. Pray for their support. One couple learned about a school opening only two days before Orientation started. They (along with many others) have got a lot of support to raise by August 1st. Pray for their transitions. Almost all of us are going to cultures that are unfamiliar to us and we will all face discouragement, confusion, and doubt. Pray that God would be glorified through our triumphs and failures, good days and bad days, certainty and confusion.

We’re Official

On Friday evening, we were commissioned by TeachBeyond. It was a short, simple service, the staff simply prayed for us, but it felt like the culmination of the last 12 months, and the beginning of a new and exciting adventure. We leave for Black Forest Academy in 18 days. I have no idea what the next few years will look like for us. I have no idea if we’ll be any good at our jobs, or like German culture, or want to stay, but I know that God has prepared us for this. We’re ready.

Tags: BFA, Black Forest Academy, change, Family, friends, Germany, minneapolis, Missionaries, missions, moving, Orientation, personal journey, preparation, TeachBeyond, Travel

March 25th, 2010

Today is March 25th

1 Comment »

Written by Dani Filed under: Family, Life, Spiritual Journey, Support

Today is March 25th. And that means that April 1st is seven days away. One week. 168 hours. Actually, less than 168 hours, because it’s currently 10:29 p.m.

We haven’t budged much in our support these last two weeks. We’re at 52%. According to the numbers, we won’t be leaving for a long time. Logically, we probably won’t arrive in Germany until after the school year is over. But for some reason, my heart is denying that logic. I have this strange eagerness inside me. I’m excited, and anxious, and eager to see what happens. I feel like I’m waiting for a huge, life-changing event, like my wedding. Which is a little ironic, since Israel’s sister gets married on the 3rd.

I don’t know that God will bring our support in within the next seven days. I don’t know when he plans for us to be in Germany. But I feel…hope, or faith, or something, almost physically in my chest. I really can’t describe it. And the more I think about it, the more I think that maybe this is faith and belief in God’s ability and power and desire to prove himself.

We’ve reached a point in our support raising where we’re not really sure who to talk to. We’ve contacted the majority of the people we know. Occasionally I freak out a little bit and wonder where in the world the rest of this money is going to come from, but mostly, I feel the need to pack, and prepare, and order books that I might need. I feel like we’ve done what we can, and the rest is up to God. I’m not saying that we won’t continue meeting with people, but I’m more aware now that all of this is out of our hands. So far, support raising has been such a shocker. So much about it is surprising, that I know that God is in it. From the 50 or so people we have on our team, to our living situation, to the money that keeps coming out of nowhere for us to live on, I can see God’s provision.

And I feel ready to move to Germany now, in some way that I haven’t before. Not that I speak the language (I don’t), or think we’re finally prepared (we’re not), or feel in any way capable of doing our jobs (oy), but I feel peace, and assurance, and love for the students. I’ve learned so much in the past six months (and four years), and I think God’s been preparing us for this. And in some intangible way that I can’t describe, I feel ready to leave.

I don’t know what God’s going to do with our support. I’ve never had the kind of faith that allows me to believe that God will do this one thing at this one time. I’ve never believed things in that way. But I’m believing in this support thing in a way that’s beyond my normal faith. I feel quite frightened admitting this, because I know I’ll feel embarrassed and foolish if we don’t have our support for three more months, but I think God might do it. I think we might be heading out in a couple weeks. And I think this is a perfect opportunity for him to display his power—to me, at least.

On a whole other note, God’s been opening my eyes again to the fact that we have a enemy. Some days are awful. I’ll be discouraged, and irritable, and angry and sad, and suddenly realize that maybe this isn’t just me, but I’m actually being attacked.

Our marriage has certainly been more…rocky…than usual. We’ve been much more easily offended, and annoyed and angered than ever before. We actually got into a fight, a real, yell-at-each-other-and-storm-out-and-slam-the-door fight, the other day—about our car tag, of all things. I think this was our first official fight. Pretty good for almost four years of marriage I suppose.

Now there’s no reason to be concerned. In many ways, our marriage is more healthy than it has been in a long time. But I can see how these squabbles add to the stress of this time, and make us more weary and can make us feel more downtrodden. In spite of that, God’s drawing us closer together. We’re delighting in each other in ways that we haven’t in a long time. I’m so thankful for that.

Someone mentioned, during one of our support meetings I believe, how one of the best ways for Satan to attack missionaries is to attack their children. I realized, for the first time, how precious and important Black Forest Academy is, and how important our roles are in protecting, and loving, and praying for these kids. They are vulnerable, just because of who they are. For the first time, I felt like I was actually going to be fighting for something at BFA.

Anyway, those are two rather unconnected trains of thought, but that’s what I was thinking about tonight.

Oh, one more thing, if you don’t mind.

We just found out that the director of BFA, Tim Shuman, will be leaving after this year to take a position with the Association of Christian Schools International in Colorado Springs. Tim has been at BFA for 24 years and Sandee, his wife, has been there for 29 years. That’s where they met, became engaged, had their children, and saw them graduate. Israel and I now feel even more of an urgency to get to BFA before the school year ends. Tim has a strong vision for the media at BFA and they obviously know the school very well. We want to absorb every bit of their wisdom and vision that we can. If you’d like to learn more about the Shumans, you can check out their blog.

Tags: ability, attack, belief, BFA, Black Forest Academy, faith, fighting, God, power, provision, Sandee Shuman, Support, Tim Shuman, waiting

March 15th, 2010

Halfway There

1 Comment »

Written by Dani Filed under: Life, Support

We’ve made it to 50%! Yay! Hooray! Haroo!

God’s done some amazing things in the past few weeks. In 24 hours, he brought in 5% of our support. Then, a few days later, in about 48 hours, he brought in 6% more. That’s 11% in one week. It’s been a very encouraging time. We’re excited to see how God will bring in the remainder of our support, hopefully, by April 1st. For some reason, reaching the 50% mark seems like a huge mental hurdle that we’ve finally overcome. The rest doesn’t seem to be nearly as difficult, maybe because we can head over at 80%.

Okay, here are the specifics. We’re at 50.7% of our monthly support. That’s $2,752. We still need at least 30% more; that’s $1,625. We have 17 days left and need $96 a day. Sorry for all of these numbers, but for some reason, knowing the specifics makes me feel better.

So, keep praying for God to bring in our support in miraculous ways! I’m eager to see how God is going to make himself look great through all of this. Also, pray that we’ll be able to find at least one supporter who could cover $300 to $500 a month. We’re also running out of people to contact; pray that God will bring people to mind who might want to join our team.

Tags: 50%, BFA, fundraising, Germany, halfway, Money, Support, support raising, time

Page 1 of 312 3 »

Posts Tagged ‘BFA’

In A Cow Traffic Jam

The Introduction

The Cows

Our Boxes Arrived

And the Year Begins

Tomorrow Is the Day, the First Day of School

The First Time For Many Students

God’s Timing Is Perfect

Some Things To Be Praying About For The School

Some Things You Can Pray About For Us

The Morning Walk

That They May Know Him Better

We’ve Been Oriented

Hearing about the vision and mission of TeachBeyond

Meeting our mission family

Being Encouraged and Affirmed in Our Purpose

Meeting Anne

Hearing the Stories of our Fellow Staff

We’re Official

Today is March 25th

Halfway There

Monthly Support Raised

Recent Videos

Israel's Most Recent Videos

Dani's Most Recent Videos

Important Stories

Israel's Tweets

Dani's Tweets

Categories

Old Posts

Recent Photos