Michelle's March Maugenhard Update

Dear friends and family,

Greetings from Germany!  Local farmers are preparing their fields for planting. The now frequent sun and cool weather is good for the morale of the students and the staff alike. 

Between the high school talent show,

first home soccer games,

two different birthday celebrations,

and Josh's parents visiting, 

it was a full but rich weekend.  

• I got to help with stage make-up for our guys' talent show act.  Everyone had a blast, and they got 1st place!  The hugs that do not come often came that night.  I will treasure these small moments of bonding with my guys. 

• Overall, when parents visit it is extra work for the staff.  Yet, Josh's parents are such an encouragement to us all.  Josh's mom cooks amazing Korean food and his dad takes photos for us.  Talking to them about what they do in the Middle East and how much they appreciate the ministry of us at BFA reminds me of why I am here.  They deeply thank us for our care of Josh and the others. Thank you for helping to make it a reality for me to be here and a part of this ministry to Josh and others.

This is the last week of school before two weeks of Spring Break for the students.  It is evident that everyone is ready for a break from their routine, work, and environment.

• A handful of our guys are going on various international mission trips
• Others are going back to their families
• But everyone will be out of the dorms, so the dorm staff can have a much needed break as well.

In preparing for the next year, BFA staff asks for prayer.  

• There are still some significant roles to be filled for the fall: dorm parents and RAs, especially.  
• My dorm parents will be returning, but both of my co-RAs will not be.  Guy staff are sometimes hard to recruit, but we need some quality guy RAs to be good older brothers for the guys.
• Please pray that God will provide who He wants for each dorm, so that the teams are honoring to God and good for the students.  
• The communications team at BFA are working on a video to help recruit dorm parents in particular.  It is featuring my dorm parents here at Maug, which I am excited about.  I will post the video link once it comes out, so you can see and share it.

Thank you for your love and support!  I am working on getting MailChimp set up, so I can be a better communicator with you all State-side.  But until then, enjoy this!

I'd love to hear from you (mwaters@teachbeyond.org)!  Keep me posted on life.

Love,

Michelle