I Love Raising Support :)

There is no sarcasm included in the title of this post. It's a true statement and as you read on, I hope you will catch a glimpse as to why I made this the title of the post.

There has been a book going around missionary circles called "People Raising" and while I have not personally read this book I believe that it's an appropriate title for what missionaries around the world have been given the responsibility and privilege to do. I (Clarence) will admit that it was something that I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the first time I went out as a short-term missionary when I graduated from college but currently I can say that I enjoy and I actually love it.

We are currently in Calgary and we were able to enjoy worshiping with the faith community of Crossroads Community Church. They have been a huge supporter of me ever since Middle School and this community has taken upon it's hands many others and developed life-long disciples of Jesus Christ. It's a special privilege to be part of a community that even when you're gone they are still praying for you and looking out for you and when you come back they treat you with love and compassion as the body of Christ has been instructed to do. This is why I love the term "People Raising" because it implies that the work you are doing is allowing all those whom in are in your sphere of influenced to partner together through prayer, finances and going forth to share the gospel and spread the good news.

It was a great joy to be able to meet some new people and be able to share about the great work that God is doing at Black Forest Academy. I love being able to share about the students and the people that I get to work with everyday at BFA because they are so awesome and to give that picture to people of what an incredible ministry is happening at BFA is by far one of the most special things I get to do in my ministry. We even were able to meet with fellow missionaries from our church who are involved in a school similar to BFA in the Philippines. Raising up people to understand the calling that God has given us has become a great joy for me and I know that it is only by God that I have been able to have this attitude.

If you are wanting to partner with us and support the ministry we are part of financially or through prayer I encourage to get in contact with us or even go to our mission organization's website at www.teachbeyond.org and click on the Give Online button and you will see how you can join and be a partner with us. Thanks for those of you are praying for us and supporting us through the gifts God has given to you and for your use. Blessings!

Family Ongoings

Spring Break has been a wonderful time for our family to stop, rest, pray and play. We began our break with a trip to Turkey for a work/play conference with our mission organization. We enjoyed some time on the beach, some time learning from an amazing teacher and just some great fellowship time with fellow workers around the world. Below are some pictures of our time there:

On the banks of the Mediterranean

Took a boat trip up a famous river

Goofing around in the ancient town of Side

 

 

It may seem that all we did was spend time outside with friends, but because of security reasons we were unable to capture photos of our working/learning times. We were very well cared for by our mission in that we had an incredible balance of learning in the morning and exploring the sites of some of the Early Church beginnings.

 

Both Anna and I had the privilege of educating ourselves through various workshops that focused on parenting and education and how to thrive on the mission field. I (Clarence) was reminded by all those who were in attendance at how wide and deep the love of God is for his people all around the world. I count it to be a privilege to be a part of an organization that sees their mission as being a part of God's mission to spread the gospels and bring redemptive transformation to many different communities around the world through education. Thank you to all of you who have joined our team over the last 2 years in sharing the Good News to the students at BFA and our community at large.

 

We are planning to be in North America this summer and would love to meet with you if we can. Our itinerary is as follows:

 

June 18 to July 2: Calgary, Alberta

July 3 to August 6: Ohio/Midwest

August 7 to August 17: Toronto, Ontario

 

Drop us a line at cyau@teachbeyond.org or send us a Facebook message and hopefully we can connect with you.

What to do now...

Easter Sunday has now come and gone and we are facing a new week. I (Clarence) was struck by how easy it was to celebrate and remember Christ during the past week because of the importance of such an event in history. However, I also remembered how difficult it was for us to remember the importance of Christ's death and resurrection throughout the regular and normal days. Yesterday's sermon at our church provided me with a reminder and a challenge of how I am to, "live out the truth of the resurrection in my daily life." It means that the love given and shown to me through the blood of Christ shed on the cross needs to be lived out in my Fatherhood, my Teaching, my Learning and my Living. Coming to that realization was a humble and sobering thought because I don't think that I have done that as well as I could have this year.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that as the last quarter of our school year starts I am hoping and praying to live with the resolve to remember the resurrection power and the grace that has been given to me each day that I teach, lead and guide my family and the learners that God has given to me. I ask for you as our supporters, our prayer warriors, our teachers and guides to help and pray for me to continue to live this out in my journey with Christ.

High School Retreat - Part 2

I'm happy to report that High School Retreat was a huge success!  It was great to get to spend the whole weekend with my small group girls.  I feel that it really allowed for us a form a stronger friendship and deeper level of trust.  The girls all enjoyed our speaker, our worship time, and our small group discussion time. 

The focus of the weekend was Colossians, chapters 1-2; focusing on being rooted in Christ. It was great to hear the girls being challenged and thinking about their walk with God.   I hope to post some pictures of my group later, but I need to check with one of my students who's parents work in a 'creative access' country. 

High School Retreat!

Next weekend (Feb 28 - March 2) is BFA's annual High School Retreat!  All of the high school students go away for the weekend for a time of fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth.  I (Anna) am super excited to get to go this year!  I have a small group of 5 amazing freshman girls, and I'm so looking forward to spending the weekend with them, especially discussion times and debriefing after each of our large group sessions.

Please PRAY for all of the students and staff who will be attending the retreat.  Pray for open heart and for God to do amazing things next weekend!

Clarence will not be going to retreat this year, but will instead stay in and have time with the Middle School students.  They will having lots of fun here in the Kandern-area, including a trip to an indoor waterpark, gym time, and chapel. 

Some belated Christmas pics :)

Decorating our tree

Christmas Eve gift - rice/heating socks

 

Austin's first time on ice skates!

New family pic

 

 

Canadian Citizen!!

So I [Anna] am now officially a Canadian Citizen!  The progress has been a little more complicated than we originally thought, but it's done now, and it's a big relief.  I originally applied for citizenship in Sept 2011, thinking it would be finished in plenty of time before we moved to Germany (we originally planned to come to Germany in August 2013).  However, we ended up moving to Germany a year earlier than planned.  Thankfully, they were able to keep progressing my application, but I had to fly back to Canada TWICE for official matters - once to take my Citizenship Test (in May 2013) and once to do my Citizenship Ceremony (September 2013).  There were so other minor complications along the way - the clerk actually recognized my name when she called me up during the ceremony to receive my Citizenship Certificate!  She joked about how my case had given her such a headache and she was glad to be done with me.  :) 

So, I am now a dual citizen - yes, I DO get to keep my American citizenship, and am working on filing for a Canadian passport.  I am excited, and a little nausea from all the maple syrup I drank . . .