Continue Sharing

I am less than a month away from the time that I will be in Germany and starting my orientation at Black Forest Academy. I feel like I say it again and again but it is so true: "I'm excited!" I am really looking forward to being able to serve, teach, and love the students at Black Forest Academy. I know there are many new and challenging experiences to come, but I am certainly excited.


Chelsea and Sarah wearing their Germany shirts!
These friends keep me excited and encouraged.

I have had the opportunity to continue to share with others about the work I will be doing teaching 2nd grade to missionary children and local children in Kandern, Germany. I feel so blessed by the many people who are interested in the mission of the school and who have been so encouraging and supportive. I am continuing to share with friends, family and churches to ask for prayer and financial partners. I appreciate the prayers of many faithful believers who know the difference prayer can make. In addition, I appreciate the financial support of so many who are making an investment in the Kingdom by supporting the work of missionaries around the world. Would you be interested in joining me in this mission of serving missionary children? Would you continue to share with others about the work that God is doing through Black Forest Academy and TeachBeyond? I have less than a month to finish raising my support and appreciate your prayer and financial partnerships!
God is so faithful!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5




Sharing with members of the congregation at First Church Lancaster



This woman was speaking in Germany to me! (I understood!)




TeachBeyond Orientation

This last week I had the chance to travel to Minneapolis, MN for orientation with my mission organizationTeachBeyond held at Bethel University. The week was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow missionaries and teachers traveling to Black Forest Academy in Germany and to 17 other countries abroad. I feel so blessed to form so many great relationships with people going out to serve and teach around the world.

In addition to meeting lots of wonderful people I was also really encouraged and challenged by the many sessions we attended. I learned a lot about the amazing vision of my mission organization TeachBeyond and for the transforming power of Christ at work through education. We also learned about topics such as cross-cultural adaptaion and sensitivity, preparing for transitions, working with Third Culture Kids, and so much more. I feel more equipped and prepared for the changes and work ahead.

Finally, I am so excited for the journey ahead of me! It is less than 40 days until I will be beginning my time serving and teaching 2nd grade in Germany at Black Forest Academy. I am really looking forward to the many exciting changes and challenges that are ahead and know that the Lord is certainly preparing me to be used by Him in amazing ways. I am continuing to ask others to join with me through prayer and financial partnerships. If you are interested in joining me please feel free to download a pledge form here and send it to TeachBeyond. Another option is to donate quick and easy online. I am so grateful for the prayers and support of so many and know that the Lord is working in wonderful ways.

More to come!

The Preparations Continue!

The lyrics to the Chris Tomlin song "I will Follow" have been ringing true to me in the last weeks as I continue to prepare to follow God's leading to teach and serve at Black Forest Academy. I am so excited for the journey that God has prepared for me and for His great faithfulness. The words to the song are:

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow

These words echo my prayer to the Lord to follow his leading and to continually place my trust in Him alone.

Click here to hear the song!

The Lord has been faithful to provide opportunities to share about my mission with others. In the last two weeks I have been able to share at 3 different churches during services and Bible Studies. I have been so encouraged by the encouragement and prayers of so many people. Currently, I have over 50% of my support raised. I still have a ways to go and would appreciate your continued prayers and support as I seek to raise the rest of the funds needed to go to Germany. Please consider clicking on the "How to Get Involved" tab at the top of the page to learn how to get involved and become a partner with me in serving and loving missionary kids at Black Forest Academy.

This Sunday I will be leaving for Minneapolis for training with my mission organization TeachBeyond. I am really looking forward to meeting fellow missionaries serving at BFA and various international schools and to prepare our hearts and minds for the mission field before us.

I have also been enjoying looking at some more of my German to keep it fresh and relevant! Of course, true to my elementary education style I created a German word wall right in the kitchen for my continued vocabulary development! Let me know of any of your favorite German words to add to my wall!! I want to learn as much as I can!

Trusting in Him and his GREAT provision!



Equipped by God

This past Monday I had the wonderful opportunity to share about my mission to Germany with some of the ladies at First United Methodist Church in Bangor. I joined them for their Bible Study time and shared about the journey that God has called me to at Black Forest Academy. I am so grateful for these women and for their willingness to pray for me as I serve and teach in Germany. It was so fun to reunite with them and to talk about how God calls each of us to mission no matter where we are.
We discussed the passage in 1 Samuel 16:4-13 when God sends Samuel to appoint the new king. God selects and anoints David as King and from that point on He equips and empowers David to be a great leader. In the same way, I am reminded that God will certainly equip and supply my every need as I travel to Germany and prepare to serve the students at Black Forest Academy. Our God is faithful and enduring and knows just what we need.

Reading scripture together

Sharing about BFA and answering questions

"And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward." 1 Samuel 16:12, 13

T-shirt Success!

Thank you to everyone who purchased my T-shirts as a reminder to pray for my mission to Germany! I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family members who are willing to support and pray for me. I sold 79 t-shirts and the proceeds from the shirts are going to go towards my "start-up" costs in Germany. It's incredible what God can do! Here are some pictures from the last week or so with people who are wearing my shirts! It has been so fun to see friends wearing them around campus!

Noelle and Brenna!

Cammie and I at the park

Reena and I in her apartment

Michelle and I by the mailroom!

My dad and I overlooking Blue Marsh where we went boating and on a hike!

My mom wore her Germany shirt too :)

 Thanks again for your prayers and support! Please continue to spread the word about my mission and consider supporting me financially and/or by your prayers! Click on the "How to get involved" tab at the top of this page to learn more!

T-shirts to pray!

As a reminder to pray for my mission to Germany, my wonderful roommate, has designed t-shirts with an outline of Germany and the German phrase “Um zu lieben”, meaning “in order to love.” I am going to Germany in order to love and serve these children and hope that this t-shirt will be a reminder to friends and family to pray for me and my students.

The verse on the shirt is 1 John 4:7a which says, "Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God." The heart is over the place where I will be living in Kandern, Germany. 

Please consider purchasing a t-shirt for $15 to support my mission. The proceeds from the t-shirts will also help to contribute to many of the startup costs I will have (plane tickets, housing, possible vehicle…etc.).

I have included a link to a google doc where you can put your name and t-shirt size. Feel free to share this with friends and to spread the word! I will be taking pre-orders until Monday, April 30th!

Link to pre-order a T-shirt!

Questions? Feel free to send me an e-mail at NicholsonRS1@gcc.edu 

Checks for the shirts can be sent to my school address which I would be happy to e-mail to you!

Thank you all again for your love and support. Your prayers for my preparations and for this mission mean so much!

Raising Support

Preparations for Germany continue!
This Sunday I was so blessed to be able to share with the congregation at First United Methodist Church in Bangor about my mission to Germany. I was so encouraged by their prayers and blessings as I seek to leave for Germany in just around 4 months. Thank you everyone at FUMC for your kinds words and love. I am so excited to share in my experiences with you!

I am also continuing to send out support letters to family and friends. I sent out another mailing today and will be praying for willing hearts to join me in God's mission work in Germany. I appreciate your continued prayers as I ask others to partner with me to reach the financial goals needed to teach and serve overseas. If you are interested in partnering with me, please check out the "How to Get Involved" tab at the top of the page or send me an e-mail at rsn.nicholson@gmail.com. 

God is certainly our provider. I continue to put my trust in Him!