Dorm Thanksgiving

Here are some of the guys we hang out with on Thursday nights !!

They invited us and other dorm subs for Thanksgiving dinner and it was wonderful !

Dorm Staff

The dorm staff here at BFA works long hours everyday serving the students here in many different ways.  Before Christmas break I got to help serve them! Along with friends, Doris and Jen we made them lunch and dessert.  Just a small thanks for all they do! Here are a few photos. 

Christmas Concert

Christmas Concert at the Bi-Lingual School 

Jake and a Friend in his class comparing their casts.

They both broke their arms in the same week at school.

Mom. Dad and Aunt Barbara arrived this day and were

able to stay awake long enough to enjoy the concert !

                                         

                                         

Dad Mom and Aunt Barbara Visit !

This was a wonderful Christmas present !!!  Dad, Mom and Aunt Barbara Came to visit before Christmas !!!  Wonderful blessing !!!  

Reflections from Normandy

Rob had the opportunity to lead the junior class on their annual trip to Normandy. 

Below are reflections from 3 of the 74 students who experienced this 4 day journey to the coast of France to witness and experience the sites where the invasion took place.

“This experience was amazing and I'm very grateful I got to go, however wet & miserable it may have been. I really respect the men that had the courage to invade the beaches. It reminds me how we can never forget what the price of freedom is and how we should live with their sacrifice in mind, never taking for granted our rights, living in a way that isn't self centered but for others and trying our best in everything we do. I think these landings were honorable, it was necessary to invade Europe and topple the Nazi control that held it. I will always remember this trip for all that I got to see and all the great experiences I had.”

“The American Cemetery was and will remain in my memories the most because of the vast number of white crosses covering the large amount of land. AS soon as I saw them, they made me speechless and truly realize the tragedy the war brought upon families and friends. I am thankful for all the soldiers who have died on the beaches, for their courage and sacrifice for their country. The D-Day landings were definitely honorable because they contributed to the success of the Allies and downturn of the Germans/Axis. Although an innumerable number of men died, I feel that the tragedy is something to honor and be glad about because the event gave a turning point to the war before it ended. It has made me feel respect towards the soldiers a lot more than I had done before. And I think that I will be able to genuinely honor and thank them every time I think about them. It was a memorable trip that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

“What we all want to remember the most is the quality class bonding time spent, packed in one room in sleeping bags or sitting together on the floor watching “Ratatouille” and cheering at sights of Paris. We want to hold those moments in our minds – the Eiffel Tower at night, or the stroke of the hour, the beaches with their marshy green and gray waves, the crazy bus rides when everyone was either bouncing out of their seats or covering every available surface in an attempt to sleep. We want to remember the good things of this trip, and we will. But, what will come back to us, whether we want it to or not, it the memory of of all those silent graves, row upon row upon row, standing in peaceful cemeteries, watched over by massive trees and caressed by the sea-breeze. We will remember the vivid images of Saving Private Ryan, the men with mutilated bodies screaming for their mothers; museum after museum of discarded clothing, letters, photographs, all lending depth, sight and sound t a time forgone in history. At least, that is what I will remember. And I know the others will, too, though they may choose to ignore the images and block out the memories.

Was the landing and war honorable? Do the ends justify the means? What about this trip – was it perhaps, a waste of money and time better spent on others more knowledgeable or entitled? Or maybe, have our young lives been touched in ways we do no have the words to describe. An maybe never will. Oliver Wendell Homes once said, “ In our youth our hearts were touched with fire...” We have been touched with fire, and we all now bear the mark of incredibly weighty knowledge. May God turn our burned hearts, our burden of knowledge, to His purpose.”

Pictures from the Normandy Trip - From these pictures you would never guess that we had rain throughout most of the trip!

Canadian Cemetary

HBR guys outside of the Juno Beach Museum

American Cemetary at Utah Beach

First Baptist Church represented in Paris

Summer Outreach

Andrew and Matthew are involved in a summer outreach,  along with a  few other students that are still here for the summer  (most of the BFA community has left for the summer).  Matt is meeting with 5-6th graders and Andrew with 8-9th graders from the local German school in town. They will be sharing the love of Christ and helping the students with their English skills.  Please keep all of these students  in your prayers as the share, and for the local german students to have open hearts to hear about Christ's love for us!

Blessings

Many blessings along the way

Today I have been thinking about the many blessings the Lord has presented us with in our new housing and our current one. We will be moving in July just across the street, still walking distance  to the market. It is wonderful not to have to take the car out to the market, which is usually a daily event when you have a fridge
 the size of  kitchen sink.  We have been prayerfully getting ready for the transition into a unfurnished home.   Last month a local family blessed us with some bedding and ALL of our kitchen needs!  WOW,  I am still in awe of how God works.  Sometimes I find myself saying I can't believe it!   But I do believe God will meet our needs and yours it is just amazing experience it !  

 The kids and I are here in Germany without Rob.  Rob is back in RI raising support so we can continue to serve the students here at BFA .  If you have  not had a visit with him please email him and catch up :)!  We were do to move on July 1st.  Our new landlord contacted us last week saying that she needed to do some messy work and we would have to wait a few more weeks.    We are able to stay in our current home while that work is being done!!  What another HUGE blessing!  Thank you LORD !! Now our move in date is also closer to when Rob will be back :)  We are also thankful our new landlord is so very nice and she speaks english! 

Love you all, Heather

Matt and Jakes Last day of School

                                      Jake and his teacher



                                                  

                              Jake and the Principal of the Elementary School

                                  Matt's  5th grade class

   
                                                        Matt and his teacher

                                                      Matt and the Principal :)

Cafe Time

On Thursday mornings right after the kids get on the bus some English speaking and German speaking moms get together for coffee and tea.  We practice our language skills with each other, learn about cultural differences and share about our lives.  We all look forward to our time together as we meet in a small shop that sells local artist's handmade goods.  This week was our last time until September.  Here is a photo of our hostess and some of the ladies from this week.

 

                                                                                                

Psalm 143:8

           Let the morning bring me word of 

                     your unfailing love, 
          for I have put my trust in you.
                Show me the way I should go,
            for to you I entrust my life       

Psalm 143:8

Track Team

Today was the last day of Track and the Spring season seemed to go by lightening fast! Rob really enjoyed working with the students as they sharpened their skills, and I think Andrew didn't mind having Dad as a coach !

Grand Prix

Last Saturday were the Awana Grand Prix Races !!  All of the  English and German children have been so excited for this event and it was a success :)  You can see their excitement as they cheer on their fellow racers to the finish line.

 

Here are some of the car designs

& the races.

We are all so grateful for all the Awana leaders that pour the love of God into these children !  Thank you !! 

Prayer

  On Friday morning a 4 year old little girl named Jennifer was hit by a car.  Please pray for her and her family as she is in critical condition in the hospital.  This has had a big impact in our small community.  Our hearts and prayers are with Jennifer, her family and those that witnessed the tragic accident.

Mother's Day Hike

For Mother's Day we went for a hike in the beautiful Black Forest.
Here we are taking a break and listening to see if we hear the Cuckoo Bird, no luck today just us Cuckoos making noise. 

Banquet

Friday night  the Junior / Senior Banquet was held at Funfshilling. 
( It is much like a prom minus the dancing)  After dinner some of the juniors and seniors share their talents of music by singing and playing instruments  for everyone.   I photographed groups and couples in their hot pink room.  I have shared just a few here. 
 ( and one of Rob and I)

Wake up Call

Early wake up call for many in Kandern  on this past Sunday morning.   About 6 am this band walked up and down all the streets in Kandern !! ??  I am not really sure why still asking around.

Track Meet

Matthew,  Jacob and I got to travel on the bus with the track team on Saturday.  There was not a home track meet this year so it was great to see the team in action on the road.  The meet was in Heidelberg about three hours away.  I was grateful not to navigate the roads, its just not as easy as it looks.  Here are some photos before the downpours started.

                                         Andrew and Carl

Jake hanging with some of the track kids while they waited for their next event.

Matt and John straightening a tent spike.

Two super strong guys!!

Some soldiers watching the meet.