End of Semester 1!

Tomorrow marks the last day of semester one. It's hard to believe that this school year is already half over! Here are some things that I am thankful for, and some things to pray for as well.


Praise:
- I am thankful that my mom was able to spend the last two weeks here! 
- I am thankful for the opportunity I had to teach Chapel Band and Drama this past semester
- I am thankful for an awesome first semester at the middle school with great staff and students
- I am thankful that my car is working again
- I am thankful to have the support and encouragement of a mentor within the BFA community
- I am thankful for all of YOU! My friends, my supporters, my family... thank you for being such a blessing and encouragement to me! 


Prayer:
- I will be teaching a games elective, two Guitar 8 classes, and chapel band class on top of my administrative tasks. Please pray that I would know how to balance my time well between teaching and working in the office.
- Please pray for my finances as they aren't as stable as I would like them to be. Please also pray that God would provide the finances for me to stay for another year. 
- Please pray for me and my family as I am away from home again this Christmas. I hope we will be able to connect when possible. 
- Please also be praying for the staff/students at BFA who will be travelling to many different countries in the next few days. May we come back to school rested up and ready for another semester together. School will resume on January 10, 2012.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours. May you be blessed this Christmas, 

and may we remember the true reason of the season! 

Winter 2011 Newsletter

The MS Facebook Page!

There comes a time every few weeks when I look at the large bulletin board outside my office and know it is time to change it. That moment came earlier this week. I wanted the new bulletin board to contain information for students that could be updated on a week-to-week basis. I thought what better way to relay information to students then by having a school Facebook page. 

The MS Facebook page will post pictures, 

and will have a weekly event calendar. 

It will also have a monthly calendar, upcoming events 

and a section for student birthdays! 

If you could, I would tell you to add the MS as a friend on FaceBook.

 This year is going to be an awesome one of learning, experiencing and serving God! 

A morning of BFA sports!

This morning there was a home volleyball tournament and cross country meet. I have two small group girls that play on the JV team and I was able to catch their last game. It was really great to be able to go and watch my girls do something they love. After that we went up to see how our cross country team was doing. Our roommate, Megan, is the assistant coach of the team. We arrived just as the meet was coming to an end. The results hadn't come in before we left, but here are a few pictures and videos of our high school students. 

Our first runner to finish! 

One of our last runners to come in (still ahead of many other runners!). 

GO BFA! 

Hanging out at the MS House!

This year BFA doesn't technically have a MS dorm. There were going to be 4 MS students though that were in need of somewhere to live. A couple were going to be RAs at a dorm, but volunteered to be MS dorm parents. They are using the home of an HMA family to house these 4 students. This weekend my roommate Megan and another MS teacher, Rachel are dorm subbing. This means that they are the "dorm parents" while they actual dorm parents get a weekend off. Heather and I went over after dinner last night to hang out with them. We played telephone dictionary, watched them try to eat an oreo only using face muscles, and ended with a splendiferous ice cream sundae party!

Guests at the MS!

Yesterday we had a guest band come from Indiana. They were on their way to Turkey to do evangelistic work. The 3 young adults played songs that they had written themselves. The kids absolutely loved their energy. The gave a talk near the end about how even teenagers can make a difference in our world. It was really powerful, I hope and pray that our students will take it to heart.

A group of our chapel band boys talk life and music with the band members! 

Alberta Bound!

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to go home for a few days. I am so very thankful for the time I had in celebrating a wedding of a close friend, the birth of a baby girl, and of course, a wonderful family Thanksgiving. Thank you to those who made it an extremely special time. 

Mackenzie Jane was born on September 2, my 22nd birthday! 

A surprise "chat" happened on my first morning back in Canada! 

Erin and Barry were married on October 8, 2011!

I felt so blessed to be a part of their special day! 

Movie clips from the MS overnight: 

(you may want to turn down your volume before playing,

yelling and screaming will occur) 

Rolling dodgeball: 

King and body guard:

(the girl in the white has to make sure the

boy in the black does not get hit)

Hillsong Concert in the Alps!

Two weeks ago, my roommates treated me with concert tickets to see Hillsong for my birthday! We were very excited to see them live. We left on a Sunday afternoon with lots of time to spare (good thing!). Little did we know that this concert would be in a Hispanic church in a small Swiss town. For a while we thought we were at the wrong place! It was an awesome intimate concert as there were only about 300 people there. It was an amazing time of worship with those who spoke English, French and German!

Baptism at G5

This morning we attended G5 and it was baptism Sunday. As we saw kids, teenagers, and adults get baptized they jumped out of the water and a huge celebration began. Friends came up to the front to congratulate and give hugs. It was a truly beautiful service. I am so thankful for this community and for this exciting picture of baptismthey have given me. I think that this is truly how it should be. Here is a glimpse into our service today:

  

Above is one of our BFA high school students getting

baptized by his dad and sister- truly brought tears to my eyes.

A few more pictures...

MS Overnight

Every year the middle schoolers participate in an overnight adventure. The reason for an overnight trip is for the students to bond together early in the year. It's the first big trip that the 6th graders get to go on. This year we took  them to a youth hostel in a nearby city. I was in charge of arranging transportation and snacks.We had 12 parent drivers, and 21 dozen cookies. Thankfully transportation worked well and all students arrived safely at the hostel, and back at the school again today.


There wasn't enough room in the hostel for all the MS staff to stay overnight, so there was a bunch of us who just went for the evening.


The students ate cookies and played outside when we first arrived. It had been a long week at school so we gave them an hour or two to just run off some steam. After a bit we had them sit on the outside of a court. The game was called "rolling dodgeball". Groups of students would stand in the middle and try to last the longest without getting hit by the rolling dodge balls from students sitting along the edge. After all the students had tried, they insisted that the teachers play!

Later that evening, after dodgeball, capture the flag and dinner we took the kids down the trail to where there was an outdoor fire pit. A group of girls came up to us before we started worship and told us they had met two girls from the other group staying at the hostel and asked if we could sing some songs in German. The worship leaders for that night were the couple that I co-teach chapel band with. They led us in English and German worship songs. It was a great opportunity for our students to minister to others in our community. One even asked if we had a German Bible that we could give to them. What an encouragement it was to see our students loving and telling others about Jesus. Later we had a time of devotion, more singing and then of course time for s'mores! One 6th grade came up to me  and said "my mouth is so happy right now!" After cleaning up we headed home. The kids ended the evening with a movie, games and a late night hike. This morning they went on a longer hike, cleaned up their rooms and headed back to the high school to be picked up. All in all, a great time with our amazing middle school students! 

            

A little glimpse...

Tonight the middle school overnight is going on. It has been the biggest event of the year so far, and I organized a lot of it. I plan on writing all about it, but I think my eyes are about to close (comes with lots of planning, AND spending over 12 hours with pre-teens!).


I will write more this weekend, but I wanted to show you some pictures of what our evening looked like.


Please pray for the teachers who remain at the overnight - may they get SOME sleep!! :)

Small Group!

This past week we started our small group program for the high school students. I have 6 amazing freshman (9th grade) in my group! They are full of life, energy, and laughter! They already have shown their love for God and that is such an encouragement to me.


We are going to be using the Bible, a devotional book (name released next week once girls find out) and other resources to learn more about "Who am I"? I am looking forward to this year of learning and fun with these 6.


A huge answer to prayer is that 2 people are willing to help transport the girls to my house! This means we get to hang out in our "Cove" room where there are comfy Ikea chairs and a big fluffy couch! I love being able to share my home with them so that they can have a place of their own.


Thanks to those of you who have already been praying for my small group girls! May this year bring glory to God in the highest!

First chapel!

Almost there!

Thank you so much to those of you who have started supporting me financially! I am now almost at the 100% line! 


Financial Update: 


I currently have pledged $2460/month
I still need $120/month to be 100% supported for the rest of the year! 




God is faithful, and I am so thankful that I am this close to being at 100%. Please prayerfully consider helping me reach my 100% goal so I can continue to faithfully serve at Black Forest Academy. 

"Where were you this summer?"

Wondering where our students were this summer? Take a look at this video to find out! 

Chillin' n' Grillin'

The first Friday of every school year students stay after school for games, fun and food! Today it started to pour, but our middle schoolers didn't care - this is them playing soccer:

As long as God calls me here...

It has been an awesome week of opening up our middle school campus, getting to know the kids and working alongside a great new team of staff! I have enjoyed starting our chapel band class, getting waves from the kids, and even being called Miss Mann! God has truly blessed me with a new job at this new building. I am looking forward to serving on this campus and for what God has called me to this year - loving His children. I am thankful that I am able to be here, and I truly thank those of you who are supporting me financially and in prayer.


Recently my support account has not been where it should be. Purchasing a car and going home this summer has added some extra expenses that are still not accounted for.


I ask that you please prayerfully consider contributing financially. Whether it is $10/month or $100/month, each bit counts. I am still in need of approximately $400/month to reach 100%. I ask that you think of it not as giving to me, but so that these middle school students can have a new building, can learn in a Christian atmosphere, and can be loved by their teachers who come from all around the world.


These kids are absolutely precious to Him, and to me. Please help me continue to serve at BFA for as long as God calls me here.

BFA Middle School: Day 1!

A great start to the year! Looking forward to what God has in store! 

THANK YOU!

It has been a great week settling back into life in Germany. I have been catching up with friends, setting up my new office, and just thoroughly enjoying my time here.


I want to say a huge genuine thank you to those of you who have given special financial gifts, pledged more per month and to those who have been praying for me. It is because of my awesome "home team" that I am able to serve God in Germany - and what a joy it is! Please keep praying that God would place it on the hearts of those He wants to give, my support is increasing (praise the Lord!!), but I do still have a ways to go. Thank you!


I am looking forward to posting pictures soon of the new middle school, my set up office, and of our precious middle schoolers!


Take care and keep in touch!


Blessings!

7 Day Goal!

One week from today I will be boarding a plane that will take me home to Germany. I am looking forward to catching up with friends, eating lots of wurst and seeing our precious BFA students in less then a month!

I can't wait for the chance to serve at Black Forest Academy for another year. That place is exactly where God wants me to be for this time - I have no doubt. 


As you know, I purchased a Renault Clio this past spring, so I am working on raising monthly suport to cover the costs of the car. In order for me to be at 100% this year I am still needing an additional $600/monthly. 


As you prayerfully consider helping me financially, I ask that you would not think of it as helping me be able to just drive around. Think of the students that will pile inside the car. Think of how it will help me get to my new job at the middle school. Think of the lives at Black Forest Academy that  you can impact by becoming a part of my support team.  I want to be able to continue loving and sharing life with the staff and students at BFA. I  want to be able to serve at Black Forest Academy for as long as God calls me there. 

Please pray about how you can help me reach my financial goal before I leave on Sunday. Please join me in God's work at BFA and around the world! Please help me reach my 7 day goal.

If you would like to contribute to my 7 day goal, you can email me at  bmann@teachbeyond.org.

2nd year here I come!

Hello friends and family,

I hope that your summer is going well!

For those of you who don't know, I have been living in SW Germany this past year. I work at an international Christian school for missionary kids - Black Forest Academy. Last year I was the Front Office Coordinator on the main campus, and this year I will be working in the Middle School Office, assisting the Vice-Principal and teaching an 8th grade guitar class.

The students at Black Forest Academy come from all over the world. In the fall of 2010, we had students from 52 different  nations. Because a lot of places where their parents serve don't have viable education, students come to board and study  at Black Forest Academy. What a great privilege we have to teach these students and send them out into the world as disciples.

Due to a change of job and campus facilities for this coming year, it was necessary for me to purchase a car. This past year I was supported 100% monthly. With the addition of a car to my budget, I will need an additional $600/month to continue at 100%.

I ask you to prayerfully consider if you are able to help me in this. I truly believe that the reason I can fully invest in my work is because I know I am supported financially 100%. This makes a world of difference. With giving financially to me, you are  helping the students at Black Forest Academy have a place to learn and grow.

If you would like to contribute, please email me (bmann@teachbeyond) and I can send you the forms needed. If you would like to know more, I would love to meet with you!

Thank you for considering to help me in my ministry at Black Forest Academy!

Blessings,
Brittany