Our Calling: MKs

Want to discover a bit more about what we do in Germany? Watch this short video (we're in it a couple times, too).

 
Black Forest Academy: At A Glance from Black Forest Academy Videos on Vimeo.

The Well Is Deep

Jesus' encounters with women never really fascinated me until adulthood. The sordid pasts of his mother and great-great-grandmothers gave me hope when I first came to understand them: Tamar, the trickster; Rahab, the harlot; Ruth, the foreigner; Bathsheba, the adulteress; and Mary, who became pregnant out of wedlock. If he chose them, then maybe he could choose me: Suzanne, the sinner, the desirer of her own way.

Jesus & the woman at the well

Today through a domino series of link clicks, I found myself connecting with the Samaritan woman Jesus encounters at the well. Jesus approaches her in a manner that she can understand and is deliberate in his questions of her. She is honest in her responses, though it means sheer vulnerability of her own imperfect heart. Thirsty and in need of well water for her own and her family's well-being, she is confused and unsure of the ability (maybe even sanity) of the man talking to her when Jesus offers her "living water." "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep" (John 4:11). 

Today I can relate to this woman. Jesus, I can't see your bucket, and the well looks so deep. Help my unbelief in your desire and ability to fill me until I overflow. 

 "My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— 'Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.'" ~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Lord, through this season of Lent, help me to trust you in your mighty power, your infinite resources and your very great love for me.  Bring me into the light. Amen.

Piano Classes

Group piano classes are not a common offering at the high school level, but it is exciting to watch them thrive as a good use of our personnel and facility resources. Not to mention, they're just fun. :) Things I love about group piano:

• Positive peer pressure: it is healthy and motivating for students to learn music in a peer group. As a teacher, I work hard to help each class build camaraderie and a spirit of encouragement. I must admit, that's pretty easy to do with the students at BFA. It is so much fun to watch them challenge each other.
• Varied literature: students are learning two to three times the amount of music that they would be learning in private lessons as they listen to their classmates perfect performance pieces alongside their own.
• Ensemble playing: The first time I really played in an ensemble was in college. The experience was transforming to my playing and in helping me realize how God had put me together. I am energized by people, and when given an opportunity to play with others it is really incredible. For introverts and extraverts alike, the experience of playing with a group emphasizes skills like steady tempo, playing through mistakes and sight-reading. These skills are essential for a budding musician.

The picture below is of one of my Piano 1 classes last fall on a performance day. They're a mix of day and boarding students. All but one of them are in a Piano 2 class this spring. I have especially enjoyed watching them grow over two semesters this year. What a privilege it is to teach!

Normandy Trip

Isaac led his third class field trip to the Normandy beaches in October. Students and sponsors visit key American, Canadian and German cemeteries and memorials to World War II battles and the soldiers who fought them.

I am in awe every year of how the trip affects our 16- & 17-year old students as they realize how young these soldiers were and the difference they made.

After one night on a bus and two on a cold, hard floor, the junior class spends 12 whirlwind hours in Paris. It's a great educational and bonding trip in the early months of a new school year.

You Know School's Out When...

Congrats, class of 2011. Photo by Michele Phoenix.

1) you're reading a new post on our blog

2) Suzanne knows how the Tigers are doing.

3) graduates trickle down our alley whispering tearful goodbyes.

4) our nightstand book piles get a bit taller.

5) the median age of the population of Kandern rises overnight as students return to their home countries for the summer. 

It has been a long, good year. We are spent, and we are full. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

A Staff Recital

"All the believers were together and had everything in common." Acts 1:44

What a treat to plan a musical evening with believing colleagues. This will definitely be an annual event.

Our lovely Estonian voice instructor, Jane.




Brian teaches Bible and is most comfortable in a pastoral role but is also a dedicated guitar student.




My first solo performance with new music in eight years.



See more at http://www.youtube.com/user/bfavideos.

The Promise of Spring

There have been days this February when spring seemed just around the corner. The weather has been warm, the birds have been singing, and Suzanne and I have been able to take long walks in the surrounding woods. On days like these, it is easy to believe that the earth will soon become green again and that we won’t need to put on several layers every time we step out the door. Alas, it is only February and those changes are still several weeks away.

Suzanne and I are thankful, however, for those times when we get a glimpse of the beautiful transformation that will soon take place in the Black Forest. Often, when the days are cold and dark, it seems hard to truly believe that warmth will come again. Of course, on one level we know that this change will take place because we have seen it happen all our lives. Still, it can be difficult to live with that future in mind rather than focusing on the cold weather and drizzling rain.

In the same way, teaching is a task best suited for those who can look beyond the daily life of lesson plans, grading, and meetings. While all these tasks need to get done, it can be difficult at times to know if students have actually learned as a result of these efforts. Grades can perhaps give some indication, hearing the students talk about what they learned can be another, but the end result will never be seen. Teachers want their students to be able to take what they have learned into their daily lives after formal schooling ends and apply it in such a way that it makes a difference in the world at large. So how do we know if what we are doing is working?

It is wonderful to see returning graduates of BFA coming back to visit and hearing their stories. Suzanne and I were able to reconnect with a few graduates this past Christmas break and were encouraged by the way those kids had grown over the couple years since they left. Ultimately though, we have to have faith that our work here will produce fruit in the future. We have to trust that the same God who has called us and allowed us to be here will take our imperfect work and turn it into growth for his kingdom. Winter seems long. But spring is not far off.