The TeachBeyond Family

Let me introduce you to the TeachBeyond New Staff!
(click on the photo for larger view)

I'm home from a great week at TeachBeyond new staff orientation, where I was challenged and encouraged through seminar sessions, conversations, and times of worship.  I'm more excited than ever to be serving with TeachBeyond, an organization committed to transformational education services, while I teach at Black Forest Academy!  Here are some highlights:

~ I'm an I and a C.  I'm an unusual combination of "influencer" and "conscientious" in the DiSC personality profile.  Basically that means that I like to talk (big surprise) and organize (even bigger surprise).  It was neat to reflect on how to use these traits for God's glory and work well with others who have different strengths.

~ How do you recycle in Germany?!  Things in Germany are going to be different -- not better or worse than America, but different.  Sometimes there will be challenge and frustration, but the Lord can use these experiences out of my "comfort zone" to stretch and grow me!

~ Transition is coming.  The session that impacted me the most was a discussion on the five stages of transition, from full involvement in one culture to complete involvement in another.  I'm both thrilled and nervous about the changes ahead.  Above all, I know that God will bless me as I pursue deeper relationship with His people (my students, fellow staff, neighbors) and embrace the unknown.

I look forward to sharing life in Germany with my two apartment-mates,

Brittany (left) and Jennifer (center)!

"Therefore, in dependence upon God, we dedicate ourselves to His work, desiring to please Him in the knowledge that He who has called us also will help us.  We rely on the Spirit of God to lead and empower us.  We go with the assurance of His promise never to leave us or forsake us.  We go determined to serve the Lord with gladness."

I have my ticket!!!

I am at TeachBeyond orientation in Minneapolis, MN, this week.  We have had sessions on big picture ideas (TeachBeyond's vision, Christian education), as well as details (finances, paperwork).  It has been really neat to hear the testimonies of the other TeachBeyond members, too.

AND I HAVE MY PLANE TICKET!

I will be leaving Philadelphia on Wednesday, July 28, flying through London Heathrow (hoping all my bags make it through there!) on to Basel, Switzerland.  It is so exciting to have a departure date set!

Thank you to those of you who have committed to being financial and prayer partners with me as I prepare to go to BFA.  I still have a little ways to go to be at 100% support, but I am so grateful to be at this point.

Please pray with me, too, for my friends here at training who are still below 50%.  They are wonderful servants of the Lord who so desire to be on the field in the next few months.  Pray for a mighty act from the Lord to provide the financial resources for them to be able to go.

More info about training and pictures coming soon!
Heather Joy

Patience. Training. Praise!

PATIENCE.  This morning I had my first "stick shift" driving lesson, which was quite interesting.  After countless jerky starts, I managed a few smooth ones.  :)  I also got it all the way to third gear in the parking lot!  I'd say that's an accomplishment with a LONG way to go.  Thank you, Mrs. Ames, for having patience with me!!  I'm looking forward to more lessons!

TRAINING.  Tomorrow I leave for TeachBeyond New Staff Orientation in Minnesota.  I'm really excited for the opportunity to meet people and learn a lot!  I would greatly appreciate your prayers while I am at this training week (June 19-26).

Please pray that I would:
- make good use of my time at training
- connect well with the TB staff members
- be open to what God is teaching me
- feel equipped for the final preparations that will happen when I get home!

PRAISE: I'm now over 80% support!  This means that I am able to purchase my plane ticket to Germany and am officially GOING!  I am so thankful that He has provided in this huge way.  I am continuing to pray for financial partners for the rest of my budget.

"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.  I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue."  Psalm 66:16-17

A New Way to JOIN the Journey!

I would like to introduce you to Burgunderstraße 7!  The middle floor of this house will be my home for the next 2 years.  Jennifer, Brittany, and I will be apartment-mates with 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a living area, and a kitchen.  We have been blessed to communicate with the current renters (BFA staff who are coming back to the USA) and are purchasing almost all of the furniture that is currently in the apartment.  It's a win-win situation -- they won't have to move it out, and we won't have to find all the items and move them in!

(Above: The house from the front -- our level has a balcony!)

(Below: the amazing view!)

Today I am excited to launch a NEW way that you can JOIN me on this journey to BFA.  If you are interested in giving a one-time gift toward my ministry, check this out...

Adopt-an-Item!

Want to know where your money’s going?

Here’s a new way to contribute that’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1.      Select an item or items from the list below.

2.      Comment on this blog post or send me an email to “reserve” that item.

3.      Write a check to TeachBeyond with the listed amount (in dollars!) and complete the top portion of this form.  Send both to TeachBeyond at the address on the form.

I will put a note on the item
you choose to adopt

as a reminder to pray for you
when I use it!

Forever Faithful

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to share a testimony at the ministry celebration/business meeting at my home church, Grace Point.  I shared how God had used the church to help me come to this point: amazing opportunities for growth in the children's and youth programs, youth missions to Italy that focused on relational ministry, teaching opportunity at Camp Tel Hai last summer, and sponsorship to go to the Urbana missions conference in St. Louis.

I also shared with the GO (Global Outreach) mission team at Grace Point on Tuesday evening.  It was really neat to tell the story of my calling to this ministry from the beginning of my senior year to now -- from a place of confusion and uncertainty to one of confidence and trust.  With the approval of the GO team, Grace Point will be my "sending" church, supporting me financially and in prayer.

When I take time to remember what God has done and trace His handiwork in the fabric of my life, I am amazed and compelled to praise Him!  I challenge you to do the same... we aren't able to see all that is to come, but we CAN see how He has shaped, redeemed, and directed our pasts.  May we rest in the knowledge that He is forever faithful!