First Week of School

Opening Cermonies at BFA

It has been a full week!  Tuesday was the official start of school but not a normal day of classes. It began with opening ceremonies - a packed out auditorium with students, parents, faculty, support staff, and residence life staff. The teachers and staff walk in to the applause of the kids and parents. I had no idea that would happen and it was very humbling as the true saints are the ones that are serving Jesus in such hard and dangerous places. Then the senior class carried in all the flags of the countries represented in the student body. 52 countries represented. When your total student body (1st grade through 12th) is just a little over 300 and only half of those are boarding students that isn't too bad. :) They read through the countries represented - from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan. There was one student from Brazil, a handful from Africa (mainly north Africa) and then many from central Asia and the middle east. It is truly moving to think of the sacrifice these people have made to serve Jesus in very difficult places. Then they had a time set apart for the parents to say goodbye to the kids. I could hardly bear that part. We then had eight minutes of each class where I was able to meet them and vice versa. I shared from Rev. 3:8 (a verse that has given me much courage in the last month). That the Lord has put before us an open door for this year and we may have little strength but He will give us the strength to walk through it and our prayer for the year is that we will keep His Word and not deny His name in any way.

Wednesday was the first normal day of classes. I have 15 in my French 1 class, 14 in my French 2 class and 5 in my middle school class. My middle schoolers are hilarious and so cute. They are using an immersion program and I quickly found out that they are ahead of their teacher. There are signs for all the words and I thought this was their first time doing French. Well come to find out they have had it for a semester and already learned a lot of the signs, etc. I am working hard to catch up to them. A lot of my curriculum I did not get until the end of last week and some I didn't find until Monday of this week. So I am racing to keep up.  But the Lord has helped this week and I am thankful.  My French 1 has Freshmen to Seniors in it. Some knew a fair amount of French and some have NO idea so that will be interesting. Half of the class are new to BFA.  In order to help me get to know them and for them to get to know each other I had them write down one interesting thing about themselves and I got a wide range of answers but here is what one girl wrote "I was in Croatia during the war in the mid nineties." Amazing to think of the stories and the potential in the 35 students that are in my classroom.  Asking Jesus to help me not only know how to teach these kids French but know how to get to know them and love on them.

I am so thankful to the Lord for His provision for me this week.  He has truly made a way for me even when I felt like there was no way.  He has given me physical strength for very long days.  He has given me wonderful teachers to give me advice, encouragement and help.  And He has given me peace as I face each new day.  Thank you for praying for me.  Don't stop!  :)