Half Year Mark...

February 9th marked half a year of serving at Black Forest Academy again.  We didn't have any big celebrations or anything, we just took it as another day.  In fact we really didn't think too much about it until recently.  I (Clarence) have just been so enamored and honored to be able to be doing something that I love and enjoy with people whom I love and enjoy also. 

I was very happy to learn, around that time, that I would be able to keep my position as MS Chaplain for as long as the Lord would have me in that position.  It's been an awesome role to have and I just love being able to do something that I am passionate about and to be surrounded as well by people who enjoy this age group as well is so great.

This weekend (Mar.1-3) is our school's annual Retreat in Switzerland....in the Alps.  I know, the Alps, right.  So awesome and I bet you're also saying so jealous too.  But all that aside, this weekend is a weekend that I would invite you to join us in prayer as the students and staff join together to fellowship, worhsip and praise God in his marvelous creation!  Pray also that the hearts of all attending would be ready to hear the truth of God's Word and also that they will put the truth that they hear into action in their journey of faith. 

Thank you to all of you who have prayed, are praying and are supporting us financially throughout this adventure.  Without you and without the Lord working through you we would not have been able to accomplish anything here over the past 6 months.  If you know of people whom you feel would like to know more about our ministry and possibly join you in building the kingdom of God together here at Black Forest Academy, please have them send us an e-mail or direct them to our blog.

God Bless :)

Multicultural Sunday

At our church yesterday, Black Forest Christian Fellowship, we had a Multicultural Sunday.  Since most of the people who attend the church have lived or were raised in different cultures, we took some time to celebrate our great diversitiy.  We worshipped through songs, prayers and Scripture reading in at least 10 different languages:  English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Tajik, Korean, Cantonese, American Sign Language, Turkish, Russian.  There might a few more I'm forgetting.  Many people also wore 'native clothes' reflecting another culture where they have lived or visited.  One family was dressed with maple leaf gear and warm toques - made me miss Canada!  lol.  It was neat to remember how God made everyone so different, and that people of many different cultures and languages all worship Him.  Also, a good reminder to pray for God's work in various countries around the world. 

Also this weekend, we had a chance to be substitution dorm parents at our of the girls' dorms.  The regular dorm parents had a weekend off, so we stayed at the dorm and helped out the female resident assistant for the weekend, primarily cooking and driving the girls to various activities.  It was fun to get to know some of the girls who lived in that dorm a little better, especially for me (Anna), as I don't often have as much regular interaction with the students.  Austin and Silas LOVED spending the weekend at the dorm - they enjoyed playing pretend with the dorm girls and entertaining them their their silly knock-knock jokes and riddles.  It was neat to see them getting along there. 

As some of you may know, we had initially thought we would return to BFA to be dorm parents.  We were surprised and excited when God provided Clarence with the job as Middle School Chaplain instead.  It is truly a great fit for him and he's really thriving there.  But it was also fun to spend a few days back in dorm life this weekend.  Occasionally helping at the dorms seems like a better fit for our lives right now.  Not sure if we really took any pictures, but I'll see if I can add some later.