Autumn at BFA

Maugenhard enjoys Fall activities and dreads upcoming winter dreariness.

Autumn at Black Forest Academy                    BFA has had several busy weeks.  Our Maug guys have been energized, though, with the Palmgarten & Maugenhard Dorms' Fall Party, Herbstmesse Festival in Basel, and 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

Maug Guys "Google Earth" introduced us to each others' lives in a real way last week.  Spontaneously, we took turns looking up each place the guys are from.  Their faces lit up as they shared "their" homes around the world with us.  Who knew interactive maps could bond us and fascinate us for an hour? ----------- Amidst numerous seasonal activities, each guy has a different response to the changing of seasons.  Some students I have talked to throughout the school are homesick and feeling a bit sick or down with the overcast weather and tests.  Please pray that they will: Rest deeply in their time off Be mindful about what qualities of life are lasting  Chose to embrace faith in Jesus Christ for themselves Anna and I meet on Tuesday nights now.  I greatly appreciate her and our purposeful conversations.  Thank you for your prayer already.  Please continue to pray for: My time with Anna as well as Randy, Melanie, and Yoel (the other girls who come up to visit me on Fridays).   May our time of conversation and rest together be exactly what is needed for the situation.   I am amazed by how they have opened their hearts and lives wide-open to me.  [Side-note: It meant so much to me that she wanted me to go in the bumper car with her (see picture).]   Although I am not an athlete, I connect with the aesthetic and relational students in particular.  Taylor (with a notebook during the basketball) and I developed an "art board" in the dorm hallway that displays various guys' art.  I love seeing the skills and potential that they cannot see and encouraging them to develop it alongside others in the dorm. Chris is a competent, hard-working sub at Maug.  I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to cook, work, and talk to the students alongside him.  As a result of Chris' three years in Sonne dorm, he is able to share his invaluable skills and experience with me and the other Maug staff.  We have 6 more weeks of school before Christmas Break.  I am excited to see how students develop and mature in the weeks ahead. Thank you for your love and support!  We are deeply grateful. Until Next Time, Michelle

I look forward to hearing from you: My email address mwaters@teachbeyond.org *A special thanks to Mark Powell, R. Frank Darden, and Laura McGlothlin for the use of their photos.

Maturing Boys

The varied events of Friday nights remind me that our guys are all so different but are immensely interesting the more I am getting to know them.  Thomas (left) and Evan (right), among the other juniors, are maturing noticeably from last year.  I enjoy observing their creativity coming out in all-dorm Nerf wars, dorm unity huddles, and - even unexpectedly for teen guys -  cooking gourmet meals.  I can definitely see Thomas becoming a French cuisine chef when he is older.  Several of our guys from France want to make a French dinner for the whole dorm soon. :)


It is exciting to see how God is maturing some of these guys even in a matter of months (and maturity does not mean that they do not love Facebook and movies, too. [see pictures on right]).  One of the guys I had some of the hardest moments with last year is much more open to me this year.  I drove him to "ortho" (the orthodontist) this morning, and we talked some.  He later offered to buy me something at McDonald's since I did not have money with me.  In contrast to last year, this is huge to me.



I feel like many of the guys are the younger brothers I never had. I am praying that I will be able to love them the way they need to be loved, even if it is tough love. I desire for them to draw near to God and that the "seeds" planted through me and so many others will not be "snatched up," but grow.  It is amazing what conversations happen at the most unexpected times. I am learning more and more that the beauty of being an RA are for the unplanned moments when God allows me to get a little glimpse into the guys' lives.  I treasure those moments.  It is a matter of being available and observant and approachable.  

Maugenhard Retreat and Life Decisions

   
Dorm Update

         Last weekend we had our Maugenhard dorm retreat several hours away at a retreat house in Switzerland.  We mixed up the guys' rooming situations, so that they were able to bond with people they do not normally seek to know.  Amazingly, the rooming, our hiking adventure (see pictures), free time, and Blue Like Jazz movie discussion led to increased openness and unity with our guys.  Even though our guys do not always seem to engage life questions of substance, it is clear from this weekend that God is at work in their hearts.  Throughout the rest of the year we plan to revisit our Blue Like Jazz film discussion in our "Dorm Fellowships" and continue discussing related topics of life and faith, such as confession, doubt, culture, and gender.  It is exciting to hear them process!

Please pray for God to "water the seeds" in our guys' hearts as well as in our hearts.  The messages seemed to resonate with many of us.

Michelle Update
          Last semester a co-RA of mine read Unspoken Sermons by George MacDonald.  I started getting into this book just recently.  During this time when Chris and I have numerous, interrelated, life questions in our hearts about our present and our future, MacDonald's words resonate with my heart, and I ponder their message:

"[...] Not only does that degree of peace of mind without which action is impossible, depend upon the answer to [my heart] questions, but my conduct itself must correspond to these answers[...]."

Some well-meaning people urge: "Leave [the questions of your heart] at least till God chooses to explain, if he ever will."

MacDonald responds,
"No. Questions imply answers.  [God] has put questions in my heart; he holds the answers in his.  
I will seek them from him.  
I will wait, but not till I have knocked.  
I will be patient, but not till I have asked.  
I will seek until I find.  
He has something for me.  My prayers shall go up unto the God of my life."

"[If we don't seek, it] seems to me the foolishness of a worldly and lazy Spirit[;]
 [...whereas,] his Spirit - the Spirit which manifests the deep things of God, [is] to a man
the mind of Christ."

- MacDonald, George. Unspoken Sermons Series I, II, III. Amazon Cloud Reader. p. 353. 

My most recent art project

• Please pray for
  • an unquenchable desire for God, His Presence, and His Word.  May we not be deterred from seeking by fear, laziness, or disbelief.
  • deep rest and reorientation during my weekend off, starting tomorrow.
  • wisdom, good counsel, and faith as we make decisions, big and small.  Ideally, I need to let BFA know sometime in October what my decision is for next year.  I will have various meetings with people in BFA Personnel, TeachBeyond Member Care, and my mentors about my strength, weaknesses, passions, interests, relationships and God's leading for this season and next.
  • my relationship with Chris and wisdom and patience for us.

Thank you for your love, care, prayer and support.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Love, 

Michelle

New & Old Faces Warm My Heart

            Six new students and their families arrived at Maugenhard Dorm on Sunday afternoon.  

We welcome Seth (Senior), Taylor (Junior), Dylan (Junior), Daniel (Sophomore), Yobel (Sophomore), and Andrew (Sophomore).  

Returning students and staff filled Monday and Tuesday with enthusiastic reunions.  Seeing these students and staff again and their love for one another warmed my heart.  I can't believe my mother's words are coming from my mouth: "It just warms my heart to see them enjoying each other."  I feel like a proud mother!  :)

Daniel

Yobel

Seth

Timothy (Right - returning after 1 year away) 

Taylor

Andrew

             

             This year Maugenhard will have 19 students (7 Seniors, 7 Juniors, 4 Sophomores, and 1 Sixth Grader) and 4 staff (Mark, Sue, Frank and Michelle).

Please pray for the new guys' adjustment and integration into the dorm. 

            But as I think of the returning guys, and even the new ones, a lyric I heard once from Wicked the musical comes to mind: "Who can say if I've been changed for the better/but because I knew you/I have been changed for good."  These words seem cliche but capture my current sentiment remarkably well.

Dylan (far right) 

             I've heard the second year as a Resident Assistant is so much easier/better than the first.  Already I can agree.   I am blessed to have a foundation of friendship, trust, and common experience laid with many of these guys here.  This year I get to build on that trust and friendship.  I am already learning a great deal as I observe Frank, the other RA this year, about how to relate better to teenage guys.  Overall, I am excited to see what God is going to do in, through, and around me this year.  I really love these guys.  They are dear to me [but I say it less girly to them ;o)].

Love,
Michelle

Preparing for a New School Year

NEW: Announcing Our 2012-2013 Dorm Staff

Michelle & Maugenhard

{A New School Year - Preparing!}

---

My Summer          It was good to see many of you during my brief time in the States this summer.  It deeply blessed me to receive such a warm welcome and genuine interest in the joy as well as the discouragement of the past year at Maugenhard Dorm.  God knew I needed that time with you all to reorient me to what God is doing here at Black Forest Academy and how He may want to use me in God's work this upcoming year.

---

New Staff

          BFA Residence Life orientation and preparations in the dorms are in "full swing."      Two-thirds of Residence Life staff are new this year, so the returners like me have gotten to welcome these 14 new RAs and 8 new dorm parents and their kids.  My dorm parents, Mark and Sue, and I are returners to the Maugenhard staff.  Frank (see picture above - far left) has joined us as our new male Resident Assistant.  Already our dorm team has connected well.  I am believing that Frank is a direct answer to prayer for God to equip us with a quality guy RA.  Thank you for praying!

---

Giving Back

          Since being back in Germany I've been greatly encouraged by how many opportunities I have had to assist new staff members in their transitions to BFA and Germany.  Knowing that little helps and encouragement matter, I've been able to pass on home items to new families, guidance to new RAs and dorm parents, and even a fan to a new, young family in this hot weather.  With my new living space this year, I am enjoying and looking forward to more hospitality to those who need it. 

---

Preparations

          With two more weeks of training, discussion, paperwork, dorm preparations, and stocking up, we pray for energy and encouragement to perform the necessary tasks for the dorms; all the while seeking to be present with God to prepare our hearts for the joys and challenges of the upcoming year.

---

Prayer Requests

          Please pray for: 

• Frank's adjustment to Maugenhard and our unity as dorm staff
• The acceptance of the new guys, who are moving in on September 2
• A heart friend for me for the year ahead, since my three dear friends moved

---

Vision for the Year

          As I re-read James chapter 1 periodically this week, I've noticed an important theme for my year.  The Message paraphrase words it like this:

"Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear." 

(James 1:19, MSG)  

May this be a year where I listen more than I speak - both to God and others -  so that my words may be life-giving and good for that time.

---

          Thank you for your love and support!  I hope to hear from you soon. 

Feel free to email me.

- Michelle, RA at Maugenhard boys' dorm at Black Forest Academy in Germany

Michelle & Maugenhard Dorm 2011-2012 (Past, Present, Future)

Michelle & Maugenhard Dorm 2011-2012

Past

          Life as a resident assistant (big sister, maid, cook, driver, friend, confidant, etc.) here was a series of little moments. Serving in a guys’ dorm resulted in a steep learning curve for me because I grew up with three sisters and no brothers. However, through many times of asking too many questions, being excited during their “too cool” times, and seeming too eager to talk when they were in chill mode, this year has been a time of growing in servanthood and dying to my own self-centeredness to care sacrificially for others the way they needed and not just the way I thought they needed. Besides that, I had a blast! J


           In the meantime, I got to take part in seeing our guys grow. Luke, Peter, and Thomas physically grew the most, but the change that I was most excited about was the gradual change in heart and character: Josiah started out more cocky and independent, and over the year he showed sweet tenderness towards kids as well as served and advocated for others, including underclassmen. Brian became less cynical and more social. Will came to declare Jesus as Savior and Lord. Evan and Syn’s rough exteriors softened as
they became more open to genuine faith and relationships with staff. Caleb is less self- consumed and looks out for Ethan.
           I wish I could share stories about each one. 

•  Check out my Visual Tour Video of the facilities, students, and staff to give you a glimpse of Maugenhard.

Present

           I love these guys! I grieve (and celebrate) that this school year is over, seven of our guys graduated, and our Black Forest Academy students are with their families all around the world for the summer. Some will start college for the first time.  I pray that God will grow the seeds we have been able to plant and water

(1 Corinthians 3:5-15). 

Future

             God is opening up doors for me to use my room that is being expanded over the summer to become a small apartment as a safe space for fellowship and rest next year. I hope to use it as an avenue to mentor several girls from a nearby dorm as well.

              I am nervous about how it will be with new RAs here next year, but I deeply love these guys! I am excited to see how God will continue growing everyone in the dorm as we use the gifts God has given us for doing His work and draw near to Him.


             I appreciate how you have been involved in the ministry of Maugenhard dorm. I invite you to continue giving or start giving of your prayers, care and finances this next year as I return to the dorm after three more weeks in Indiana this summer.  In order to continue serving here, I need the Body of Christ to continue giving to what God is doing.

Will you join me next year?

Email me: mwaters@teachbeyond.org 
or click here to get involved: Support Pledge Form.

Thank you for all the ways you cared for me and the people here this year.  It is invaluable to me and to the people with whom I serve.


Love, Michelle 

Welcome to My World: A Visual Tour of Maugenhard Facilites, Students, and Staff (2011-2012)

Dear Friends,

This video is my visual introduction to the Maugenhard Dorm facilites, students, and staff as well as their connection to Black Forest Academy and my own life.  I have struggled all year to find words to describe my work, experiences, and people here in Kandern, Germany.  Although you cannot experience Maugenhard yourself probably, I hope that you can get a richer sense of the 2011-2012 personality of Maugenhard through this roughly 6-minute video.  I am grateful that I have the opportunity to learn from each one of these people as I served as a Resident Assistant in this place with these people for this time.

Love,

Michelle, RA

[Click on the picture or Michelle's Maugenhard Video to view.]

BFA Video Overview

Here is a video about Black Forest Academy's past, present and future.  Hopefully you will get a sense of the vision of the school as a whole and how the dorm I serve in fits with this vision.

1 Mai

Without fail, Spring brings with it a variety of mixed emotions.
The exhaustion of cumulative stress and the joys of fellowship with Believers and being a part of what God is doing.

David, a Messianic Jew, whom Lauren and I met in Jerusalem through mutual friends, came to visit Germany.  Last night he came to Maug to share his life story and about Israel with our joint Liel and Maugenhard dorm fellowship.  Our guys are usually respectful when people are speaking on Sunday nights, but last night they were silent, captivated by David's recount of God's faithfulness through the exile of his family years ago as well as God's faithfulness to draw David to Himself.  Although David's life-long spiritual pursuit led him to many faiths and gurus in India and beyond, God never stopped reminding David that he was empty without God; even though he didn't have a name for the essence of his search, Jesus was His name.  God met him in an unusual way on the floor of his apartment room in India, confirming that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah that the Scriptures foretold would be the Savior.

Lauren exhorted the students at the end to expect God to meet you in creative ways.  God does work through miracles as well as unexpected, simple ways.  The question is: "Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear God speaking to us through His Holy Spirit in our lives - even today?"

-----------

In the 30 days left before graduation, please pray for:

• God to water the "seeds" that were planted last night in the hearts of the students through David's testimony.  
• Many students talked to him afterwards.
• Most unexpectedly, Max really connected with David's story.  
• Please pray for him and his group of friends, who are seeking an authentic faith, to come to Jesus and experience life to the full.

• Me to experience rest at my core and be able to recharge well for the busy weeks ahead. 

• Discernment to see where God is at work and His Spirit's courage to join Him in that work in the lives of the guys in these last weeks.

Thank you for your prayer and support!

Love, Michelle

Grieving the Loss & Reorienting for the End

[In the past many you've expressed interest in being involved in praying for me and the ministry here.  I haven't been good at sending prayer updates, but I am working on getting better at this. :)  If you are interested in being involved in my team of prayer partners, please email me and let me know so I can keep you posted: mwaters@teachbeyond.org.]

Dear prayer partners,

Myself and the other four ResLife staff here at Maugenhard have experienced a great deal of joy from having all our guys back in the dorm again after Spring Break.  Yet, time does not seem to be patient with us; it merely goes on as usual, and we have to choose to step aside to pray and breath.  Over the last weeks I've experienced more blessings and joys than I can count.  But over the last week in particular my heart has been heavy.  One reason for this is because of the death of one of my mentors/friends here and all the loss that comes from that for me and the community:

• Loss. Last night BFA held a memorial service for Mari Ellen, a dear 52-year-old single woman, who poured her life into students and staff alike.  She died on Easter due to a post-surgery complication.  I feel the loss of her mentorship and friendship; it comes in waves.  I found out while I was in Israel.  In recent years, she has been a counselor at BFA.  Walking away from meaningful, celebratory and sad memorial last night, one of my guys, in disbelief, remarked: "Who counsels people when the counselor dies?"  Another admitted that he was "angry that God took her the way he did." She was healthy and recovering from the surgery and days later died of an embolism.  These things do not make sense.  But mainly they are sad for us left on earth for now.  It was good to be able to be there with the guys as they grieve and process this unexpected death.  I am grateful for those tender moments of honesty.

[Photo from Michele Phoenix/BFA]

• Please pray for all those who are grieving the loss of her friendship, counsel, wisdom and love. Pray that they will run to Jesus and not to other things to comfort them in the midst of the waves of loss now and ongoing.  Also, please pray that God will raise up another counselor, mentor and friend for me and so many others who are in this community and beyond.

• Purposeful.  It is easy to go through the next 6 weeks to make it through the countless end of the year activities.  However, we are trying to discern what is the core message that the guys need to hear and experience before they leave Maugenhard.  It is important that we communicate and seek out opportunities to encourage students to engage with life and think, rather than slide on through.  It seems like a weighty task, when this may be the last time we see some of these guys.  There is so much swimming around in my head that I am trying to process from life, conversations and experience. It is rich but causes me to have to seek and rely on God's spirit even more.

- Please pray that God will open up countless opportunities to talk to and listen to the guys about things that matter.  Also, please pray for the preparation, tenderness, and humility of our spirits as we  respond to the Holy Spirit's lead.  May we not be ruled by fear or flesh but faith.  May fear of rejection or the guys not liking me never keep me from engaging with even the hard guys. Please pray that  God will equip me to love the guys as they need to be loved through the person God made me to be without trying to be someone else.

Thank you for your love and prayer!  It is invaluable to know you are involved with me.

How are you?  How can I pray for you?

Peace be with you,

Michelle

"No Wonder" - Reflections on Israel (Spring Break)

Shalom from Germany again!  

I'm having reverse culture shock.  Lauren Roop, a dear RA friend of mine, and I experienced the Holy Land through the eyes of local Believers and friends for BFA Spring Break. God knew we needed deep "cup-filling" for the final six weeks of the school year.  


The Scriptures came alive through our time in Israel/Palestine. Reading the Scriptures there, sharing life with missionaries and locals, and searching the Scriptures more led me to write "No Wonder," the following simple, yet profound, reflection on what I was struck by while in Israel. (I share this here for the purpose of encouraging you in your faith in Jesus that you have or do not yet have.  May these thoughts draw you to the person of Jesus Christ and the living and active Bible.)

"NO WONDER"

• No wonder 
• the Children of Israel were able to cross from the east side of the Jordan River, crossing near Jericho, (which is still not a fortress again to this day because God said whoever would try to rebuild it would be cursed) and millions of Israelites were able to camp in the vast Judean wilderness/Negev after their captivity in Egypt and desert wanderings
• No wonder
•  the the Israelites were immensely intimidated of climb up to defeat the people of the Hill Country when the Israelites first entered Canaan 
• No wonder 
• they wondered where the food and water would come from in the barren desert
• No wonder
• God chose stone to be the material the Israelites used to construct remembrance memorials as they experienced significant encounters with God because the stones were noticeable, permanent, and in ample supply
• No wonder
• it would be easier to seek statues and idols than God Himself, who is invisible 
• No wonder
• David had significant times of communion with God and writing of Psalms in the hills while alone with His sheeps
• No wonder 
• King David and his men were refreshed at the Ein Gedi streams in the desert
• No wonder
• people stayed in Bethlehem because it was their people group but also because it was just miles from Jerusalem, the center of worship
• No wonder 
• Mary and Joseph could have lost young Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem and not realized it at first in a bustling city of pilgrims and large caravan of family
• No wonder
• the magnitude Jerusalem and the grandour Temple area would have put the fear of God in people



Overwhelming...Jerusalem, rich in history and heritage

• No wonder 
• Jesus, the Messiah, could have gone into the vast wilderness and been deeply tempted by the Devil there
• No wonder
• Jesus regularly went alone to a "solitary place" to pray and experience peace and stillness with God 
• No wonder
• it was shocking Jesus first alligence was not to the Jewish assumption of his biological family
• No wonder 
• people were confused Jesus was not coming then to physically overthrow the Roman rule but to free people spiritually first
• No wonder
• people by the Sea of Galilee and beyond were awed by Jesus' teachings

Inspiring...Reading the Gospel of Matthew by the Sea of Galilee
around which Jesus' earthly ministry centered

• "No wonder
• there was so much conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus" (Lauren R.)
• No wonder
• the Kingdom of God was so confusing to the people
• No wonder 
• Jesus' completed commands  of love, yet not total peace, were so radically revolutionary
• No wonder
• Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water in the miserably hot mid-day heat
• No wonder
• Jesus described hell as the Valley of Gehenna by the Kidron Valley, which continually burned trash outside the city of Jerusalem
• "No wonder
• people needed their feet washed when they entered houses" (Lauren R.)
• No wonder
• Jesus' healing ministry was so needed because of the lack of healthcare
• No wonder
• people felt the shame of begging outside the Temple
• No wonder 
• people had a hard time believing that Jesus was also 100% God, while also being 100% human
• No wonder
• people had a hard time believing when people and their messages were from God and not a false prophet

• No wonder
• the disciples were exhausted and had a hard time staying awake and alert after the Passover seder, walking through the Kidron Valley, and hiking up to Gethsemane ("the olive press") on the Mount of Olives; absorbing the need to have the ministry of presence to Jesus in his time of immense emotional turmoil and prayer
• No wonder 
• Jesus could have escaped crucifixion by fleeing over the Mount of Olives, passed the town of Bethany, into the Judean Wilderness
• No wonder
• Jesus was burdened by the visual and the feeling of loneliness of his up coming torture and separation and rejection
• No wonder
• the temptation to turn was so real
• No wonder
• the trial and waiting stall furthered the pervasive torture of the shame and loneliness

Sobering...The waiting cave for Jesus between trials
the night before his crucifixion

• No wonder
• the walk through the streets, "Via Dela Rosa," was so taxing and humiliating
• No wonder
• Jesus died so quickly after he was on the cross
• No wonder
• Jesus' followers were so devastated at Jesus' death because they had hoped that Jesus had been the One to redeem Israel from the burden of the Roman rule
• No wonder
• the followers rushed to the deal with the body of Jesus before the beginning of Sabbath on Friday evening
• No wonder
• the women were so surprised when they met the angels at the Tomb after the Sabbath on Sunday morning and Jesus was no longer in the tomb

Hopeful...The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem: 
"He is not here. He has risen!"

• No wonder
• people ran to see for themselves
• No wonder
• that the reality that the body of Jesus was not stollen brought so much joy to the followers because the prophesied Resurrection really happened
• No wonder
• some of the other disciples, who were walking away from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, experienced "their hearts burning within them" as the risen Lord Jesus explain how all the Scriptures were fulfilled in His Life, Death, and Resurrection
• No wonder
• years later the Muslims blocked up the city gate and desecrated the hill with graves between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount for the purpose of trying to "keep the Messiah priest from returning" at the end of time
• No wonder
• Ishmael's descendants still are not at peace with Israel's
• No wonder
• those who saw were willing to spread the Good News, regardless of the consequences
• No wonder
• people either hated or loved Jesus
• No wonder 
• there was such people and world change ever since Jesus' life, death and resurrection - from then until now 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         I hope these reflections are encouraging to you.  

Please pray for Lauren and I - that God will further internalize these truths in our hearts and that our faith will be deepened as we learn how to love God will all our hearts and love others as ourselves.  May we be led by faith, not our flesh or fear.

Love, Michelle