"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