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.