Teacher Retreat in Switzerland

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Nehemiah 9:6

 

This weekend I had the pleasure to go on a BFA sponsored retreat to Adelboden, Switzerland with other BFA teachers. It was so wonderful to be able to rest, relax, and recharge for the year ahead. Here are some of the highlights!

 

We stayed at the Janz Team Chalet that had wonderful views of the Swiss mountains and countryside every direction you looked there was a breathtaking view!

View from my bedroom window

 

View looking the other direction



Janz Team Chalet



During our free afternoon we were able to walk into the town of Adelboden to see some of the neat shops in the little town. My favorite part was walking down the main street and in between the shops seeing the gorgeous mountains! Very fun!

 

 

After walking into town we walked to a gorge that was absolutely stunning. The walk and the journey through the rocks and above the water was a great adventure.

 

At the gorge with friends

Hiking through the Lord's amazing creation!

Another highlight of the trip was connecting with the other teachers and having great discussion about teaching and loving our students. It was encouraging to talk with one another about ideas to offer grace and compassion in the classroom while still holding the students to high standards. I am excited to put what I learned into practice in the weeks ahead.

The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade English teachers at CSK.
So thankful for these women in my life.

The final highlight of my trip was Sunday afternoon when I was able to travel with 3 other teachers to another part of the alps to hike from Steckelberg, a small town near Lauterbrunnen, to Gimmelwald, a town located beneath the Schilthorn, a mountail peak of the Swiss Alps. It was quite a hike with spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding villages. It was a wonderful way to spend Sunday while praising God for his amazing creation!! Pictures could not capture the grandeur of this location!

 

 

I am so thankful for the chance to spend a free weekend enjoying the blessings of a Great God. Even more, I am reminded of the amazing opportunity in my classroom to offer love, grace, and compassion each and every day to my students. What a wonderful JOY! While I certainly cannot do it on just my own strength, I am dependent on the Lord's bountiful joy and grace to help me through each and every day!

 

Thanks for following along in this walk filled with joy.

 

Loving God and Loving Others

"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"
Matthew 22:37

Matthew 22:37 has been the memory verse and starting theme this week for grade 2 at Christliche Schule Kandern (CSK). What a great way to start the year! A reminder that our focus needs to be on loving God and also loving others. It is my prayer that the students will continue to learn what it means to love God with their heart, soul, and mind and how to love one another as we develop an atmosphere of love and care in our classroom.

 



Beautifully organized library- so far it's working out great. We'll see how long it lasts!

 School began this Monday. I am co-teaching 2nd grade with Katharina who is fluent in both English and German. It has been absolute delight to work with her thus far. We are a GREAT team. It is so neat how the Lord has paired us up so perfectly. I am so excited to continue to work with her this year. I feel so blessed to have her at my side.

First day of school picture by my nice clean desk! We'll see how long it lasts :)

 Our 24 second graders are full of lots of energy and are eager to learn. I am learning all that it means to teach in a bilingual school. We have 14 native German speakers and 10 native English speakers. I am still figuring out how much of each language the students understand. It is truly amazing how much the students know and how quickly they learn! Some subjects are taught in English and some are taught in German. At times when we are all together we will give directions or read a story in English AND German. I am getting better at translating for the students which is fun! Other times, the students can translate for one another or figure things out by example.

Quiet reading time each day. Everyone was reading quietly!

On Monday the 2nd graders who attended CSK last year performed a play for the incoming 1st graders at "Einshulungsfest." Einschulingsfest is a big celebration in German tradition to celebrate the first day of school. The first grader's extended family comes to the celebration and presents them with a "tute" filled with school supplies and fun treats! It's a big occasion and makes the 1st grader feel very special. And the 2nd graders did a great job reciting their lines in English and German for all the watching guests!

As we begin the routine of school it is so neat to learn and discover the unique personalities within our classroom. I am reminded of how beautifully God has crafted each student to love Him and to love one another. I'm also reminded again and again that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Thank you Lord for providing for me and for this amazing opportunity to love you by loving your children.

 

Gearing up for School!

The first day of school is September 3rd and is rapidly approaching!! In the next week I have to finish setting up my classroom, prepare some lessons, meet with my German co-teacher, and figure out the details of teaching at Christliche Schule Kandern (CSK). I've been sorting through the books of the classroom and dividing the English and German books and putting different kinds of books in similar piles and bins!

I will have 24 students in my class. There will be a mixture of native German speakers and English speakers. I will be teaching the English students language arts during a time called "Mother tongue". Later in the day I will be teaching the German students English during a time called "Partner language". I will be teaching all the students science. Finally, I will also teach the first graders Social Studies! Here is another picture of the work left to be done this week in my classroom! It's a bit messy, but there's a lot of great space!

I would appreciate your prayers this week as I prepare for the student's arrival and get my lessons and the set up of the class all sorted out. I have already been able to meet several of my students and I'm excited to meet them all!

This last week I got to travel into Basel with the other new staff from BFA. They treated us to a drink at the local Starbucks and we had a chance to walk around the neat city! It was raining, but it was fun to cross the Rhine and see a bit of a unique place. I'm looking forward to going back!

The Rathaus (city hall) in Basel, Switzerland

Thank you all for your prayers and support! I know the Lord has great things in store for this year!!

 

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!