Day 2 = Success!

Today's Successes:

-- Set up my German bank account!  My host mom took me back to the bank, where I signed some paperwork and got my bank account number.  Check that off the list!

-- Shopping trip to Hieber's!  It took me a few laps around the store to find everything, but I was able to get everything I needed!

-- Learned how to play Settlers!  I met up with Dani, Israel, and Anne, who are other TeachBeyond new staff members.  I enjoyed eating lunch with them and then learning how to play Settlers!  To my GCC friends... now I FINALLY understand that game that you gave up sleep to play!

-- More unpacking!  I put all my clothes in the schrank (wardrobe) tonight while watching a movie.  The schrank has a ton of storage space, so I will be able to use the top shelves for other items.  I'll be able to put things into the desk drawer and on the shelves once I figure out the furniture arrangement.

-- Prepared my own dinner!  I decided to keep it simple since a) it was just me, b) I don't have much in the frig, c) I wasn't too hungry, and d) I'm still working on my culinary skills!!  :)

-- Made it past 10:00 both nights so far!  Take that, jet lag! :)

I'll post again soon with more news from Deutschland!

Ich bin hier!

Jetzt bin ich hier in Deutschland!  I have already had several adventures just getting to the apartment, but I am here...  It's even more beautiful than the photographs!

I would appreciate your continued prayers as I adjust to all of the new things around me.  Tomorrow I anticipate going grocery shopping, setting up a German bank account, talking with someone from the insurance company to get the car insured, and unpacking.  Please pray for patience, courage, and joy in this sometimes frustrating and daunting process.

All my bags were JUST under weight limit -- phew!  Thanks, Mom!

Crossing the Rhine River into Germany!

Changes All Around Us!

TRANSITION.  Since TeachBeyond training last month, I've been thinking a lot about the transitions ahead.  Beyond the cultural change from life in America to Germany, I will face the transition from college to post-college life, student to teacher, convenient suburb to quaint small town, automatic to stick shift car, Mom's meals to my own cooking...  It is only by God's grace that I will be able to make these adjustments as I depart for Germany today!  Praise the Lord that He is faithful to provide all that we need and more!

TRANSITION is also a word that has come up in nearly every one of my farewell conversations.  You, too, are experiencing transitions.  To my fellow college graduates -- we are all learning how to live out our new independence.  To those of us starting a new job -- we are embracing the opportunity to serve God and others in a new way.  To anyone changing location -- we must learn how to connect or reconnect with people and routines there.  There are countless other transitions we face.  Are we fearful about the unknown or confident in God's power?

I thank you for your prayers for my TRANSITIONS.  Know also that I am praying for YOU in the transitions that you face.  Remember His promise to never leave us.  He's got great plans in store; let's join Him on the journey of a lifetime!

Below is something I made as I processed the many transitions ahead... in green and blue are a wide variety of things that I will miss about life here.  However, God's provision (verses in pink) will cover over any fears and selfish desires.  His ways are higher than ours!

Saying Goodbye...

Today was a day of saying goodbye... to my home church, to supporters, to friends.  It still seems a little bit surreal that I am leaving this week, but there's definitely no question that there are people who will be praying for me!

Brian Weber, Pastor of Mission at my sending church (Grace Point), prayed to commission me this morning.  Several of the elders and pastors - including my dad - also placed their hands on me:

Tonight my parents hosted a Sundae Send-Off Celebration for local prayer and financial partners.  What a blessing to spend time together!

Above all else, I am so grateful to YOU for partnering with me in this ministry.  By reading my blog, sending me encouraging emails, giving generously of your financial resources, and praying diligently for me -- you are honoring God and serving me.  May He receive all the glory as we all use our gifts to please Him!

Goodbye, Grace Point

Tomorrow morning, I will be commissioned during all three services at my sending church, Grace Point.  It is so encouraging to know that the members of the church are not only giving financially, but also praying faithfully.

This letter will appear in the International Focus portion of the bulletin tomorrow:

Dear Grace Point,

The time has come.  Almost five months after accepting an elementary teaching position at Black Forest Academy (BFA) in southwestern Germany, I am packing my bags and will be boarding a plane this Wednesday!

Thank you so much, Grace Point, for your prayers, financial support, and genuine interest in my ministry at BFA.  I’m grateful for the opportunity I have had to grow through the ministries and messages of this church over the past 22 years.  What a blessing to be commissioned by Grace Point to serve Christ overseas!

There are many transitions ahead of me – America to Germany, suburb to small town, student to teacher, college life to independence – but God is faithful!  I am confident that He will provide peace and joy as I adjust to my new surroundings, routines, and responsibilities.

Christian band Jonah33’s song “This Is It” conveys my prayer for this time of transition:  “This is it… I finally get a chance to show the world what You have done for me, so let this moment be You instead of me.”  Please pray with me that God would be glorified as I serve Him at BFA for the next two years.

If you would like to receive updates from me while I am in Germany, please talk to me today or email HBrown@teachbeyond.org.  You can also follow my blog: http://heatherjoybfa.blogspot.com.  I appreciate your encouragement and support as I go!

With Joy in the Journey,

Heather Brown

What in the World Are You Doing...?

This Sunday I had the opportunity to share about my ministry at BFA with the 1st-4th graders at Grace Point as a part of their "What in the World Are You Doing?" summer missions focus.  This week's question: What in the world are you doing with what God gave you?

I split the children into two groups -- one group had to come up with words/phrases to describe missionaries and the other to describe teachers.  Then, we talked about how my role at BFA will be a combination of the two.  I smiled when I saw that one of the girls had written "Heather" on the missionary chart paper.  Perhaps still a bit surreal, but true!

The big idea was this: God wants each of us to use the gifts He has given us for His glory.  The children named many different things that they enjoy -- sports, musical instruments, playing with friends, legos, swimming, dancing -- and each talent can be used to serve others and make God happy.  Furthermore, He doesn't wait to use people until they graduate from college and can go overseas.  God works through His people when they listen to His voice -- wherever they are, whatever their age.

So, let me pose the same question to YOU: What in the world are YOU doing with what God gave you?  May our time, talent, and treasure be used to further His kingdom!

It's for real!

It's for real: Only TWO more weeks until I leave for Germany!

Even writing that seems a little bit surreal!  It is hard to believe how quickly this summer has flown by.  There's lots more to do between now and then...

It's for real: God is the Great Provider!

I am also so grateful to God for providing a team of financial partners who have made it possible for me to be fully funded before leaving for Germany!

I praise God and offer sincere thanks to my financial partners, as Paul did in his letter to his supporters:  "I have received full payment and even more;  I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.  They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:18-20).


It's for real: I have students waiting for me in Germany!

This week I received class lists for the third and fifth graders I'll be teaching at BFA!  Somehow seeing their names makes it all seem more real.  Please pray that the Lord would prepare their hearts and minds for another year of learning - and me to be their instructor!

I also decided on my classroom theme... "Third Grade: Under Construction!"  The theme reflects several different values that I desire to instill in my students:
-- We must build our lives (and our class!) on the firm foundation of Christ
-- We are His "tools" in the world
-- We need to work toward building a classroom community of respect, love, and helpfulness
-- What the students learn this year is built upon prior knowledge
-- We are ALL works in progress as we strive to learn and grow!

It's for real: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6)!

Who will go? I will go!

This morning my parents and I traced and cut over 200 construction paper and foam shapes to be used for VBS crafts at Grace Point this week.  In the mean time, we watched some old home videos.  I always love it when we get out the VHS tapes full of memories from Vacation Bible School closing programs to Christmas productions, from summer vacations to birthday celebrations.

I'm sure I've watched the 1999 VBS closing program tape many times before, but this time I couldn't help but note with new interest the lyrics of the song and my 11-year-old enthusiasm:

"Who will go?  Who will send them?
Who will share the gospel of peace?

Who will go?  I will go, I will send them.

I believe God will use me, I believe God will use me!"

At age 11, did I know God would lead me to Germany?  Did I have any idea how He would lead me there?  No.  But I did sing with confidence -- and believe in my heart -- that God would use me!

Wherever you are, whomever you are serving, share the gospel of peace and allow God to use you for His purposes!  No matter how young or old you are.

Dying to Myself... To Live Is Christ!

Philippians 1:18-26.  To live is Christ, to die is gain.  That was the focus of our study last night at Crossroads, my church's college fellowship.  These truths struck me anew...

God has put me here for a purpose... His purpose.  Paul writes that he would rather die and go to be with Christ, but that it is "more necessary" that he live for the sake of those he is serving (Phil 1:24).  I am convinced more than ever that God has led me to BFA as part of His big plan and specific purpose for my life.  Lord, please use every moment of my life here on earth to bring glory to Your Name!

Dying to myself each day means letting go of my selfishness and pride... and letting Christ reign.  We continued our conversation by talking about the Romans 6 concept of "dying to ourselves."  How easy it is to get caught up in self-centered thinking, even amidst all that God is doing!  I praise You, Jesus, for Your faithfulness, despite my selfishness.

3 weeks until I leave for Germany!  Every moment is Yours, Lord!