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!}

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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.

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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!

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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.

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          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.