Round four and a half…
Yes , it is true. I am going into my 4th and half year at BFA. It astonishes most newcomers that one could last that long here. It’s a wonderful place but also has many unusual stresses, a somewhat intensified environment than what is normal for a teacher.
The summer quickly ended as I spent time with my family down in Marseille for a few days, picked up my little brother in the Alps and then drove up to Germany. They were able to stay for a bit and it was a good time to try and relax a bit before the craziness began again.
The craziness came to due time in the form of meetings, getting the classroom ready, lesson plans, and finally starting to work at the Art Factory. The Art Factory was bought back in 2006 by the Holladays and they are progressively renovating the whole building which is quite a feat. Right now there are three appartments on the left side of the factory and then the Holladay’s appartment as well as a large kitchen/dinning/common room, and a gallery space on the first level. The other two upper levels have been used for various things, parties, weddings and storage space for missionaries being among some of the those things. Three weeks ago my friend Jen and I set out to start clearing some space on the second level for me to have an artist studio (!!!). It was exciting to slowly see it emerge from the piles of boxes, furniture and books.
Classes are now in full swing and we are all getting to know eachother. I can always tell once the students start feeling more comfortable around each other and around me. My students make me laugh…sometimes at them and sometimes with them but always in good fun 
I have students who have grown up all over the place, Turkey, Italy, Korea…each comes with a different set of experiences. Some students have been drawn to God while their parents have worked on the mission field and some have pulled away from God. We each have our own journeys and I’m praying I can be an encouragment in these student’s lives.
I unexpectedly agreed to lead a high school girl’s small group. Small groups had already started and they still didn’t have a leader so there you go. I was a bit aprehensive about it at first…wasn’t sure I would have such a great connection with the girls because most of them are new but…the Lord has been in this. Last week was our first day meeting with each other and things were going fine though I felt a bit of a veil between us…like their eyes were a bit glazed. So we are talking and I finally come around to telling them a bit about myself…I’m a french MK, came to BFA … I looked up and they all had big eyes. “YOU went to BFA???!!” I responded that yes, in fact, I had and just like them had arrived my Junior year. They felt much more comfortable after that and I think sensed more of a connection. Three out of the six are also French MKs. Go figure. You’re kind of crazy, God…in the best way.
Along with leading a small group and taking part in a women’s single small group, I’m also a junior class sponsor this year. I don’t know how these things happen sometimes. They are pretty much the best class ever though and I’m excited to get to know them more. I’ll be accompanying my 65 Juniors along with the other 5 sponsors (plus a couple more chaperones) on a 3/4 day class trip to Normandy in two weeks. Every year the history department organizes this trip for them to experience some of WWII history first hand. It’s an amazing experiences, to be sure. Minor note, we sleep on the bus two of the nights. Yeah. That’s going to be interesting.
Soooo, prayer requests are…
- Continueing work at the Art Factory and discovering more of what direction the Lord wants me to go in my art work and in the community (i.e. maybe teaching an adult art class etc)
- For the students in my classes and my relationships with them
- My girl’s small group and good connection with them as we start out the year
- Planning and getting ready for Normandy
Love and Peace to you!
