Come and See!

"Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!"

Psalm 66:5

God has done awesome things since I have arrived in Germany. I have really sensed His presence and seen His beauty all around me. Amidst trying to figure out all the logistics of moving here, I know that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

This is truly a reflection of the prayers of so many.

Thank you all so much!

Here are some things that I have been up to in the last week since my previous update. The days are busy and are starting to blur together!

I have had orientation every day. Last week was German language and culture training. I must say I could have skipped learning the alphabet and my numbers, but appreciate the hints and tips into the German culture!

Here are some things I learned:

1. Germans are great at recycling! You have to learn their recycling and garbage system and you can reduce your amount of trash VERY significantly!

2. There are quiet hours- after 8pm and from 12-2 every afternoon.

3. There is no air conditioning and it is probably the hottest week of the year in Germany!

Here is a picture of us on a walking scavenger hunt locating important items around our new home in Kandern!

I also have slowly been accumulating items for my apartment and bedroom. In order to do so I have been contacting other staff members who are selling furniture and items, went to a thrift store, and also made a very successful trip to Ikea in Freiburg. Here are some shots of picking out things for my new home:

It says, "Home is the most important place in the world!"

Packing 5 people's things into the van! It all fit :)

Checking out the furniture at a thrift shop!

 On Sunday I went to Hillsong Church in Germany in Konstanz. It was so neat to be able to sing the familiar Hillsong songs in German. I was also really excited about how much I could understand of the sermon which was given in German. The sermon was a good reminder of the importance of rest and the strength that Jesus offers to us each and every day. It was also special that the passage of scripture used was Psalm 23 which I'm trying to memorize in German!
After church, Heather, Brittany, and I went to the Bodensee Therma baths/spa in Konstanz. We got to go swimming in various pools which felt so nice on a hot day! The best part was looking out over the Bodensee with an amazing view of the Alps in the distance. It was the perfect way to spend our Sabbath!

Going to the baths with Brittany and Heather!

What a great way to just relax after a busy, busy week.

 Another amazing excursion was a trip to the top of Hochblauen, a mountain that overlooks sections of Germany, France, and Switzerland with a great view of the Alps! Our God is an amazing Creator who continues to astound me with His beauty. While these pictures fail to capture the splendor of the view, may you be reminded of the Majesty of the Lord!

 

Such a great group of friends. Glad to share these memories with such wonderful people :)

Thanks for following along as I share about my experiences in Germany!

So far, so good! Life in Kandern

Since arriving in Kandern I have been able to meet people, tour the grocery stores, see some of the school buildings, attend German church, begin taking German orientation classes, and see a small bit of the local area! It is certainly a beautiful place with lots to learn about and to see and do. I know that I will be busy throughout the upcoming years learning about German culture and the unique places in the area.

Fountain in the Marktplatz

Some of the highlights of my time here so far has been connecting with the staff here at BFA and reconnecting with the friends that I met at TeachBeyond Orientation. I was also excited to be able to attend German church and sing worship songs in English and German and listen to a sermon in German. I have enjoyed walking around and discovering things in Kandern such as the Eis Cafe (ice cream place) and the cute shops downtown!



The Blumenplatz (city center)

Mostly BFA has allowed us time to get acclimated and settled into this new setting. I have had time to just explore or talk to new people and consider some of the belongings that I still need to go out and get for my new home. I am so grateful for the chance to rest and acclimate to this new place. I feel such a sense of peace that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Enjoy some of these pictures of my new home!

View of Riedlingen (small village next to Kandern)



Welcome sign at the high school of BFA!



Favorite house I've seen so far :)

Beautiful flowers off of the main street in Kandern!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever."

Psalm 136:1

The Lord is good and I'm giving Him thanks!

Coming and Going and Giving Thanks

Praise the Lord! I have safely arrived in Germany, and I am settling into my new apartment, town, and area. I am so thankful for the many ways the Lord has provided for me in the last few days. Here are some of His blessings I am giving thanks for:

1. Special times with friends and family
I am so thankful to get to spend special time with Chelsea before I left and for wonderful help from Jasmine to finish up my packing. I am so blessed by their friendships. While "goodbyes" are hard, I know these relationships will continue!

 

I am so thankful for the love and help from my family as well! I will certainly miss you!

2. Smooth and safe travels

Thank you for your prayers for my travels! My flights were great and I arrived in London and then in Basel with no issues. And praise the Lord, all my luggage made it as well!

Beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic

Became friends with these women on the flight! They are on their way to Kenya for a missions trip.
Praying for you!

Arriving in London!



3. A warm reception!

I am thankful for the help of Heather Brown picking me up from the airport, showing me around, and helping with my transition. Thank you for all you are doing and continue to do!

On the way back from the airport we took a quick stop to the elementary school and I got to look around. So excited for the year to come. What a neat place!

The school from the outside!

Me in the 2nd grade classroom at the teacher's desk!

Thank you Lord for friends and family, safe travels, and a warm reception. I am so thankful for the ways you have blessed me and will continue to provide!

I am continuing to settle into my new apartment and to get the furniture and things that I need. I have been able to meet many other staff members from BFA already which has been great. More pictures and updates to come! My training/orientation begins on Monday!

Stories of God's Provision

Throughout this period of sharing with others about the unique mission of Black Forest Academy I have been reminded again and again of God's faithfulness and abundant provision. It isn't always easy to surrender my everything and to trust that God will provide for my every need. However, God has certainly supplied exactly what I needed through the kindness of others.
I wanted to share a few snippets of God's faithfulness over the last few months.

In the beginning:
My financial support started much slower than I was anticipating and the stresses of fundraising were starting to sink in. This was going to be a lot of work. I remember sitting on the wall overlooking lower campus at Grove City College and sharing with my good friend Brittany about what I was stepping into. "I'm only at 1%," I told her with a heavy heart. Brittany wrote to me later that it was in this moment when she decided she wanted to one of my financial partners in ministry. However, her current financial situation wouldn't allow for it. Brittany writes that she didn't know what to do so she, "sat and waited and prayed for a while." By the grace of God her financial situation changed and she was able to support me at an amount that equalled 1% of my future needs.
Brittany's story reminds me that our God answers prayers and is eager to bless His Children.

Sharing at churches:
Throughout the last few months I have been so privileged to share with the congregations of many churches about partnering with me to support the children of missionaries and sharing the love of Christ around the globe. After sharing at a church I typically stand in the lobby with materials and talk to individuals as they leave the sanctuary. On this particular Sunday, a woman came up to me and took my hand. She explained that earlier in the week her daughter had an orthodontist appt. for her retainers and the orthodontist had only charged them for one of the retainers. She told me that when I stood up and shared about my mission in church that morning she knew that the Lord wanted her to give me the money that they would have spent on her daughter's other retainer. What a blessing.
The story of this woman reminds me that God is sovereign and He certainly sees the bigger picture of our lives and will use any situation for His glory.

Not alone:
One of the biggest blessings of my preparations has been the support of my family. My grandfather, Blake Nicholson, otherwise known as Poppy, has been a huge help to me. He has helped to make contacts with family friends as well as make connections at several churches. He has been willing to assist in getting materials printed and making phone calls among other things. It has been so wonderful to have him as my advocate and someone who is passionate about sharing Jesus with others. In addition, my parents have been so helpful as I make many decisions before leaving for Germany and above all else, they continue to express unconditional love.
The love of my family reminds me of the love of God my Father and the importance of staying connected. We need Him above all else and we also need each other.

Thanks for reading some stories of God's amazing faithfulness! I know there will be more to come.

I'm reminded of Psalm 89:1:

"I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."



Kandern, Germany

I'm flying from Philadelphia airport on August 8th and will arrive in Basel, Switzerland on August 9th.

Please pray for safe travels and smooth transitions!

Check back soon for more updates

Also, if you would like to purchase a t-shirt (pictured below in previous posts) please let me know! We have more and they are $15 each!
You can e-mail me at rnicholson@teachbeyond.org and I'd be happy to get one to you!

Party and Packing

This last Saturday I was joined by family and friends to celebrate my graduation and to say a "goodbye" before I leave to serve in Germany for the next 2 years. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life who care so much about me and who I will certainly miss dearly! A big "thank you" to those of you who were able to join me on this special day. We had around 50 people stop by for food and fun! You all mean so much to me and I am so thankful for you!

Friends from Bangor, PA

Grove City Friends (+Brian)

It was so fun to have family and friends from different parts of my life all come together in one place. High School friends, college friends, family from different areas, and church friends all in the same place. It was a great way to spend some of my last days here in America!

Family eating and hanging out on the deck

After spending two weeks at Mont Lawn Camp in Bushkill, PA, planning a Graduation/ Farewell party, and speaking at various churches every Sunday it is hard to believe that I am just a couple weeks away from leaving for Germany! (exact leaving date to be announced...) I am now at the point where I am moving into the packing phase of my preparations to leave. I am beginning to think more about what should stay and what should go and making those final preparations to move to a new country. I have been dreading picking which children's books should stay and go and how to pack, but the time has come! However through it all I am reminded again and again that the Lord has been and is continuing to guide all my preparations. The verse that I repeat and love to share with others as I look towards the future is 1 Corinthians 15:58. It says, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Whether I am packing or serving Jesus miles from home, He has called us to serve enthusiastically and with joy knowing that He is faithful to bless our efforts for His name.

I also shared this last Sunday at Kochenderfer UMC near Lebanon, PA!
Thank you so much for your love and support!

Thank you everyone for all your prayers!
God has certainly blessed me far beyond what I could imagine or deserve.

If you want to see more pictures from the party check out this Smilebox created by Maureen Brown! I love it!

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!