Volume 6, Issue 5 - April 2020
Gifted with the Journey
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is an
appointed time for
everything. And
there is a time for
every event under
heaven. "
Want to partner with us
financially?
Give through TeachBeyond
here:
https://give.teachbeyond.org/s
upport/nathans/
Prayer - Praises & Requests
Praises
- The Lord's guidance of our
leadership at BFA and
TeachBeyond.
- Many of our students were
able to return to their families
before border closures.
- As of right now, Kandern and
the BFA community have now
seen much of the Corona
virus.
Requests
- The school has gone online
until Spring Break and we
don't have a definite plan for
following Spring Break -
wisdom.
- Like everywhere, many plans
have been canceled...for our
seniors especially, that they
would grieve the losses, but
live in the blessings.
- Opportunities to share Him
with others...through truth,
View this email in your browser
We are hoping to visit you all in the States this
summer; however, it very much depends on the
state of the Coronavirus and how countries are
responding to it at that time. We do need to raise
additional support to maintain our ministry and life
here. Currently we need to raise $600/month. If
you feel led to join us in this important ministry to
supporting missionary families by caring for and
educating their children, please reference the link
in the left column..."Want to partner with us
financially?" Thank you for your consideration in
this matter.
At the beginning of February, BFA had its annual
High School Retreat. This year, our guest speaker
was different than many because he didn't come
with sensational stories as has been common in
the past. Instead, he challenged the students to
think about whether or not they are just "coasting"
in their faith, and also challenged them to become
aware of the little things in their life that seem to
take control. Many of the students really felt like
they were able to connect with the message, and
came away wanting real and lasting change. It
was such a privilege to be a part of that!
As for most of the other events we were looking
forward to telling you about, well... like most of the
world, COVID-19 hit. BFA leadership started
taking some hard looks even in late February at
upcoming events, and started making the tough
calls to cancel many of them. We quickly reduced
to "operational" activities only, but then in the
middle of March, Germany made the decision to
prohibit schools from meeting. So on Friday,
March 13th, we received notice that the following
Monday would be the last day of in-class meetings
resources, counsel,
for a while. Fortunately, God had already been
encouragement....peace.
leading our leadership to start staff thinking and
Calendar
planning what they would do in such an event.
Staff and students have all been gracious with
April
3 - Spring Break begins each other in making the transition to online
20 - school commences?
learning, and so far there have been very positive
May
All sports have been canceled, responses. We've been blessed, and school is still
music festival was canceled.
8 Evening Recital able to progress. Our dorm staff are doing their
9 Possible Europa Park best to hold strong as they now have no break
Middle School Outing
10 Lead worship at church during the day.
15 High School Spring Party Amidst it all, a great word of encouragement
20 Small Group Sleep Overs
24 Middle School Spring came from one of Josh's small group guys who is
Concert
29 Junior Senior Banquet
back in Italy with his family for this time.
30 Middle School Band Apparently, one Sunday morning he was sitting out
Cookout
31 Lead worship at church on his balcony doing devotions. For devotions, He
June likes to read his Bible out loud. This particular
4 Closing All School Chapel
6 Middle School Awards Sunday morning, he was reading his Italian Bible.
Ceremony
7 High School Spring Concert Afterwards, when he went back into the apartment,
11 High School Awards his mom told him that she had noticed one of their
Ceremony
12 Graduation neighbors sticking their head out of the window to
13 Time w/German Ladies
listen to him reading his Bible! So yes, even in the
18 All Staff Closing BBQ
19 We have tickets to fly to the midst of a pandemic, God is using His people to
States for the summer
reach others in unexpected ways!

Josh's Highlight
Want ideas on how to pray for us for the month of
This year was my second time
being Co-Chair of ICCM-EU April? Here's our Prayer Calendar:
(International Conference on
https://mcusercontent.com/41f334f36c6f48632818
Computing and Mission). I
was pretty nervous going into ad8bd/files/14da6301-9c4c-402a-aeb3-
it because it felt like it was
coming together a little too 0806c65a789f/April_20_Prayer_Calendar_.pdf
"last minute" for my liking.
However, while there were a
few surprises along the way, Here are some pictures from the last couple of
the conference really went
very well! We even had a months featuring Katie's guitar class, twin day with
number of new attendees that
a colleague, High School Retreat, our small
were excited to come back for
next year's conference! groups, and Katie playing in a recital with her
Always such good fellowship
and encouragement at the colleague.
conference!

Katie's Highlight

My small group girls were so

excited to meet with each
other last week and tonight
online since we couldn't in
person. So glad that they love
each other and enjoy
spending time together!
 What we are learning
We are learning to continue to
hold plans loosely and that the
Lord is indeed trustworthy...we
just need to stay focused on
Him, especially during these
very uncertain times.

Local Culture
As we interact with the
German community, we are
asking how they are doing in
light of the Corona virus. Many
of them say that they are just
trying not to think about it.

Circle of Friends
One of my German friends
reached out to ask how I was
regarding the Corona virus. I
responded and then she
responded with - aren't you
afraid? I had the opportunity to
share that it was not a lack of
fear, but that my trust and
hope in the Lord were bigger.

Our mailing address is:

Josh & Katie at Black Forest Academy
Bahnhofstr. 19/6
Kandern 79400
Germany

Add us to your address book

Want to change how you receive these emails?

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.