Countdown to Christmas!

"Countdown to Christmas!" is our Wednesday lunch time allotted for Christmas activities! I came up with this idea about 2-3 weeks ago as my mind was transitioning into Christmas mode. Our school year started 2 weeks later this year which means that our semester will not end before Christmas like it has in the past. In past years we have had hot drinks, movies and activities for the kids to after they had finished writing exams. Since this is not the case this year, I decided we needed to find time to do some fun Christmas things! 

Today was our first Wednesday of "Countdown to Christmas!" 
and we had a great turn out! 

The kids played "rock, paper, scissors," but Christmas style -- "elf, reindeer, santa!" 

They played a Christmas carol picture game.

And they tried to come up with as many Christmas words as possible! 

It was a great first "Countdown to Christmas!" and I am 

looking forward to the next 3 we will have! 

Chapel Band Workshops

Last week we had 3 high school students come and mentor our students musically. We had 1 drummer and 2 singers who spent time with our class. We are hoping to do something like this often to not only bridge the gap between high school and middle school chapel bands but to allow the kids to learn from other musicians.The middle schoolers really enjoyed learning and spending time with the high school students. 

Here are some pictures from that day! 

Chapel Band

This year my roommate, Heather, and I are leading the chapel band program at the Middle School. We have six 8th graders, one 7th grader and one 6th grader. These students are passionate about worship and love being a part of the chapel band! Each week consists of two 40 minute periods to practice for chapel on Friday afternoons. The students pick the songs and do all the playing/singing. We have 2 guitar players, 1 drummer, 1 piano player, and 4 singers. 

Every Monday we start off our practice with a time spent studying what God says about worship and praying for our week of practices. The kids really get involved in this time and it is great to see God working in their hearts! 

Here are some pictures of our year together so far! 

Rehearsal! 

 Heather, Sammie and I leading our first chapel! 

It's so good to be back!

With school starting two weeks later this year, things have taken off in full speed already! I am so thankful that because of YOU I was able to be back at school on time. To be here to welcome my new roomies, new staff and students and to get the school ready for the first day was such a blessing. 

Thank you! 

Having already done my job last year, this year has felt so natural! I love the administrative part of my job (scheduling, emailing parents, organizing school events) but I also LOVE the connection that I get to have with the students (teaching chapel band, being the school nurse). Seeing the kids in the hallway and having memories from last year with them gets me SO excited for this year. I love student memories. Once again I remember... they are the reason why I am here. 

Here are some picture highlights from this year so far:

First Day of School

Chillin' & Grillin' 

(MS games after school)

Faculty Retreat

(Adelboden, Switzerland)

Parent Teacher Fellowship 

Small Group

My roommate, Justina, and  I decided to lead a small group together this year. 

We have 5 Junior (11th grade) girls in our group. We are looking forward

to what God has in store for the 7 of this year! (Pictures to come later)

Check out "Prayer & Praise!" page to see a list of updated praise and prayer requests. 

Two Week Challenge!

It has been so good being in Canada for the summer! I have enjoyed catching up with YOU! What fun it has been! To give you an update on my support level I am currently at 91%! Praise the Lord! This is enough for me to return to Germany in exactly 2 weeks from today. However, I would LOVE to be at 100% before I leave the country.


Today starts the "Two Week Challenge!" I am hoping that by the end of the two weeks I will be fully funded. This will enable me to do my job to the best of my ability instead of having to fundraise from another country.

I need $250/month, or a total of $3000. 
Will you help me reach my goal by August 13? 

Fill out the form below to help me in my "Two Week Challenge!" 

"A few of my favourite things..."

This post comes from a question my friend's husband asked me this afternoon- 

"What's your favourite thing about Germany?"

My immediate response was "the people." Hands down, it is the people (staff and students) at BFA that make life so wonderful there. I love getting to work with the team of people who staff the middle school. They have become close family to me. It is such a joy getting to spend each day with them investing into the lives of our middle school students. Then, there are the students. How do you even explain how a year with 56 middle school students changes your life? They are in the midst of such influential years and it's such a privilege to be a part of this stage in their life. They make each day of fun and adventure! 


Well, that is my answer if I had to answer with only one of my favourite things. However, if asked "what do you love about life in Germany", here are a few of my favourite things:

1. The people

2. The slow paced atmosphere

3. The German culture

4. My small group girls

5. The apartment we rent, where it is, and all who live there

6. The small town feel

7. The BFA community

8. Being mentored and mentoring

9. Small grocery stores

10. Seeing students succeed after working hard

11. Working in an office I love

12. Students singing in the hallways

13. Deep conversations with students

14. BFA events 

15. Students' passion for worship
16. Seeing and being apart of God at work in the lives of these third culture kids! 

"These are a few of my favourite things..."

Adopt an Item!

Be a hero! Adopt an item!

Do you want to know where your money is going?

Take a look at the following list to see where you can help out!

Groceries for a week $38

Groceries for a month $150

Groceries for 6 months $900

Gas for a week $20

Gas for a month $80

Gas for 6 months $480

Gas for a year $960

Rent for a week $83

Rent for a month $330

Your financial contribution can also help with these things:

    Continuing Education: I have a desire to pursue further education that will help me grow professionally, spiritually and culturally and equip me to excel in my roles at BFA.

    Small Group: Whether it’s snacks on a Wednesday night or a fun holiday activity your financial gift will enable me to have fun with my small group girls.

    German Taxes: All BFA staff members are required by law to pay German taxes after their second year of living in Germany.

Become a Hero or Superhero!

This summer you have the opportunity to become a "Hero" or "Superhero!"

I will be starting my 3^rd year at BFA in August. I am looking for people who are willing to become “super heroes” and “heroes.” A superhero is someone who will give 

financially each month, and a hero is someone who will give a special financial gift to 
help fund my ministry at Black Forest Academy.

Take a look at the charts below to see where you may be able to help!

$10/month	5 Superheroes needed
$25/month	4 Superheroes needed
$50/month	2 Superheroes needed
$100/month	1 Superhero needed
$150/month	1 Superhero needed

$25	10 Heroes needed
$50	5 Heroes needed
$100	5 Heroes needed
$250	10 Heroes needed
$500	5 Heroes needed

If you are interested in becoming a "hero" or "superhero," fill out the form below and send it to the Canadian TeachBeyond address listed. If you have any questions you can 

email me at bmann@teachbeyond.org! 

Beloved Summer

It is finally here. The beloved summer has arrived, and yet it still only feels like a long weekend. I am very thankful for this week I have had to finish things up and to process my second year at Black Forest Academy. Some would think that living in such a transient place I would get used to the goodbyes, but I am finding the longer I stay here the more invested I am and the harder the goodbyes are. Staff and students come and go so frequently in this place. I find myself making friends in our short time together, and I know some of these friendships will last a lifetime. I am truly thankful to God for all the people I have met in this place.


In only a matter of hours, I will board a plane to go back to Canada. I have mixed emotions as I re-enter into the culture I have known and loved. After spending two years in small-town Germany my way of life has changed. I love that I can call the doctor's office by only dialling 4 digits. I love that when one of local grocery markets remodelled, it was the place to hang out for many. I love that I can see the French Vosges Mountains from my living room window. I love that fresh flowers cost less then 3 Euros. I love that eating a bagel and going to Starbucks is a special treat. I love living here. 


It seems strange that the only place I have ever called home until now is the place that brings me culture shock. My heart hurts a little as I say goodbye to the friends and students who have encompassed my life for the last 10 months.


However, I know that God is faithful and that being back in Canada for the summer will be a blessing. I am thankful for this opportunity to share with you all about what I have experienced this year and to hear how He is working in your lives. I am thankful for all of you who have enabled me to be here by praying and giving sacrificially. I am thankful for the time we'll spend together in coffee shops, living rooms, and backyards.  


I am also thankful for the love that God has given me for BFA, and that in a few months, I will return. 

The last few weeks!

If you are part of an educational institution I don't need to tell you how busy the end of the school year can be. Classes are being wrapped up, the school is being cleaned, exams are being taken, and celebrations are happening every other day! 


These past few weeks have been incredibly busy for me. My "babies" of the year were the 8th grade dinner and the Middle School Awards Ceremony. As Ruth (MS Principal) and I were in completely new roles this year, each of these events were new to us. I began creating awards certificate templates and looking online for decorations. If you ask anyone I lived or worked with, they will tell you I lived and breathed these events for weeks. I absolutely loved it! 


Here are some of the things I did for these events:
- Ordered gold paper for awards certificates (which came 10x the size I wanted! - a small German mishap on my part)  :) 
- Printed Subject Awards
- Created Awards Night Programs
- Bought and created table decorations
- Bought 200 cream puffs and 200 mini eclairs
- Made large batches of punch from scratch
- Created a seating chart
- Made an 8th grade powerpoint of baby-current pictures


My absolute favourite part was on the night of. When I saw the 8th grade class enjoying their dinner together, and when the awards ceremony ran smoothly, I knew all the extra hours and projects were entirely worth it. However, I know that it was not in my own strength that the evening was a huge success. As the night drew near, I was praying that it would turn out well, and it did. God made it happen. I was just His hands and feet, and what a joy it was! 

8th Grade Dinner

Table Decorations

Reception after Awards Ceremony

Reading an 8th grade students' tribute

 2011-2012 MS Staff

19 Days

On the bulletin board outside my office it says "19 days left of school!" Is this really true? Are there really only 19 days left with these kids? It's hard to believe that almost another entire year has past. Thank you to all of you who have supported and prayed for me this year. I appreciate it so much! While there have been ups and downs, like most years do, there have been SO many highlights! Let me briefly name a few.


Highlights:
1. Working under the Middle School Principal, Ruth
2. Having my mom visit
3. Teaching (chapel band, games, guitar, drama)
4. Having a small group
5. Watching 56 MS students grow physically, mentally and spiritually
6. Laughing with my small group girls
7. Celebrating my 22nd Birthday
8. Having friends visit
9. Being mentored
10. Fun activities with the MS students
11. Working with the MS staff
12. MS Overnight
13. Small Group Christmas Party
14. Helping in my roommates' 4th grade class
15. Small Group Relationship Panel
16. High School Retreat


These are only a few highlights from this past year! If you would like to hear more about my year, and more details about these events let me know - I'd love to get together with you this summer! I will be home from June 8-August 13. I am looking forward to being back on Canadian soil for the summer! See you soon!

Mari Ellen

Dear friends and family,

Thank you for your prayers in the past week. Our beloved friend and staff member, Mari Ellen Reeser went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 8, 2012. She has been a staff member of Janz Team/BFA since 1990. Her most recent role as school counsellor among many other things over the years has connected her deeply with so many staff and students.

Please pray for her friends and family, near and far, as well as our BFA community as we grieve the loss of our friend. Students and staff are on spring break until Tuesday, April 16. Please continue to pray for us as we console and encourage one another once returning back to school. 

Her memorial at Black Forest Academy will be on Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm (8 hours ahead of Calgary). 

Thank you in advance for your prayers.

Blessings,
Brittany

School Events

Hey friends and family,

I hope your week is starting off well! We have 4 days (including today) left before spring break officially starts! It will be really nice to have 2 weeks off to rest and get ready for the busyness that comes after break. Listed below is the school calendar for the rest of the year. The things that I am involved in, I have changed to purple for you to see. These are activities in ADDITION to the normal week's events of small group, school, and homework/teaching. If you would like more information on an event or activity, please let me know and I would be happy to explain it more in detail. Please be praying for the staff and students as we try to finish off the year well. May we bring glory and honour to the One who has given each day. 

Blessings,

Brittany 

BFA School Calendar April - June 

March 30 - Last day of classes before break

April 1 - 6 BFA mission trip teams leave for Italy, Central Asia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Slovenia and Romania

April 1-16 - Spring Break, Dorms closed

April 16 - Staff Breakfast

April 17 - School Starts 

April 20-21 - Soccer Teams Away

April 21 -Track Team Away, Staff music recital

April 22 - Senior Music Recital

April 23 - Language Field Trips 

April 26-29 - AP Trip to London

April 27 - MS Class Parties, HS Course Field Trip

April 28 - Track/Soccer Teams Away

May 3 - Senior Day

May 4 - Jr/Sr Banquet

May 5 - Track Away, Soccer Home Games, SAT Testing

May 7-18 - AP Exams

May 8 - Staff Appreciation Dinner

May 11 - Music Recital

May 12 - Track/Soccer Teams Away

May 14-18 - MS Experiential Learning Week

May 18 - HS Spring Party

May 20 - Dorm Parties 

May 21-24 - Soccer Finals

May 25 - Elementary School Program

May 26 - 8th grade dinner, MS awards, Track Finals Away

May 27 - Spring Concert

May 29-31 - HS Exams 

May 30-31 - MS Exams

May 31 - Last day of school 

June 1 - HS Awards

June 2 - Graduation

June 3 - Dorms close, All staff BBQ

June 8 - Flight to Canada

Talent Show

Last Friday night the entire BFA community sat in the auditorium to listen to our very talented staff and students. Students shared songs they had written, cover songs were played and the staff wowed everyone with their amazing hand bells performance! 

Take a look at the video below to listen to two of my very talented 

small group girls perform a disney medley with their friends! 

High School Retreat

This past weekend was spent with over 250 high school students! On Friday all students and staff boarded 4 buses and headed 2 hours away to Lenk, Switzerland. We spent the weekend listening to a speaker, worshipping God, and spending quality time as a small group. On Saturday we also had free time to participate in many different activities. These included learning how to cut hair, playing dodgeball and watching a session on self-defense. The kids had a blast!


I absolutely loved getting to spend more time with my 7 small group girls. These girls are honest, open and yearning to know more about God. It is such a blessing and privilege to have the chance to invest into their lives. Please pray for me as a leader as I guide them in discussion each Wednesday evening. Also please pray for these girls as they are learning how to becoming truly committed followers of Jesus.

Guitar Finale!

This past Thursday my 17 eighth graders performed at the MS music recital. We had a great turnout of parents and other students. I am so proud of these kids for the hard work they put into guitar class this quarter. My last class with them today was rather bittersweet. While I am glad for less classes in the last quarter of the year, I will miss teaching those kids! I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to teach them, and that I will be blessed with teaching guitar again next year!