The Simple Joys in Life

Fall in Kandern

I have often wondered what life would be like without the simple joys with which God blesses us.  At the same time, I have wondered what it is like to experience simple joys without having your joy made complete in Jesus Christ.   This last month has embodied these thoughts in multiple ways. 

To be honest, my first few days of school were not the easiest.  Very quickly I realized that I was not as prepared as I thought.  God used this time of uncertainty to teach me about humility and the importance of a teachable spirit.

Through this, I gained a greater appreciation of the gifts and skills of others.  I learned that it is acceptable to admit weakness but not dwell on it.  Christ calls us to work as unto him, not man.  This means we push forward in His strength.   I’m extremely grateful for the people God has brought alongside me during this time.

God did not let me stay in a discouraged state.  He gave me the simple joy of remembering the home school education I received.   My role here at BFA requires me to create “curriculums” to best meet the needs of the students.  My Mom did this for my sisters and me for around 20 years.  Her example has helped me in so many ways I wouldn’t know where to start.  Thanks Mom!

The second week of school was Spiritual Emphasis Week.  Our speaker was a BFA alumni and God used him greatly to speak into the lives of the students.  The main theme of the week was “Jesus REALLY Loves You!”.   Despite our guilt and shame, we are loved so much by God that he gave his Son Jesus to forgive us and cleanse us. 

While there are many things I could share in relation to the week, one in particular stood out to me.  The speaker shared “Don’t focus on NOT sinning but on Loving Jesus”.  He explained that it is easy to become “work” driven in our Christian life by trying to keep ourselves from falling into sin.  Instead, we should put our energy and focus into loving Jesus and the sins that distract us will fall away one by one.  We cannot take care of our sin problems.  It was taken care of by Jesus Christ.  When we seek Him first, we live in His strength.

The last two weeks of school have been an adventure with highs and lows.  Through it all, God has blessed me with simple joys to remind me where to find my true and complete joy.  

He has given me students who fill my heart with joy when I teach them, even when it is a challenge.  (For safety reasons, I cannot include pictures of my students)

He has blessed me with friends.

JiEun 

Becca 

My host, Becky 

He is giving me opportunities to understand the local culture through the many fall festivals.

Budenfest "Booth Festival" 

Equestrian Competition 

Ceramics Festival 

He has reminded me of the importance of fellowship and childlike wonder.

It seems that I can't avoid Pretzels 

Riquewihr, France 

A silly moment in Colmar, France

This past Sunday I attended my first German church service. Yes, the entire service was in German.   I happened to visit on “Family Service” Sunday.  The children lead parts of the worship service.

The sermon theme was God’s JOY in creating the world and people.  I had already written parts of this post before Sunday!  Only God could bring the whole month together in this way.  God found joy in creating and He gives me joy in being His creation and living in His creation.

The view from north of Kandern

The children's artistic representations of creation from the German service

Hiking path towards a neighboring village

In Kandern, and other areas along the Rhine River, you find acres upon acres of vineyards.  What an impacting reminder of the LOVE of God and the JOY only He can give!   In John 15 we read of our position as the branches and Christ’s position as the vine.  We can do nothing without Him.  In verses 9-11 Jesus goes on to share,

Vineyards outside of Riquewihr, France

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that MY joy may be in you and that your JOY may be COMPLETE.”

I encourage you to read all of John 15 to see how God is using these verses to connect the events in this past month.  True joy only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  This means that no matter the circumstances in our life we can still have joy and have it to the full.  May God give you His joy as you walk with Him!

Ivy 

Transitioning

Exactly one month ago today you would have seen me in the Newark airport sharing kale chips with another traveler.  Technically, they were sharing their kale ships with me.  I must have looked like I needed some nourishment.  At that time, I was nervous and excited for the adventures ahead of me. 

You can see BFA (behind the orange crane) from my balcony 

Today I am sitting in my apartment listening to piano music and watching the rain bounce off the red clay roof tiles of the neighboring apartment building.  I’m not as nervous but just as excited to see what God will do.  

There is a part of me that feels like I have lived here in Kandern longer than a month and another part of me feels like I just arrived.  When I arrived in Basel, Switzerland on Aug. 3^rd I had no idea it would be so hot.  I stepped off the airplane into a humid 90 degrees (32 C).  The airport wasn't air conditioned. 

Around a hundred people were crowded into a narrow passage way that lead us through customs.  Thankfully, I wasn’t alone.  Another young lady on her way to work at BFA was on the flight with me.  God, in his own way, had us on the same connecting flight from London.  It was a blessing to be able to travel with her and go through customs together. 

Once outside of the airport, BFA staff loaded up our luggage and took us to our new homes.   Though my apartment came unfurnished, I arrived to find a bed, “Schrank” (a German wardrobe) and desk. I am very thankful that some other missionaries volunteered to move in furniture I had pre-purchased so I would have a place to sleep when I arrived. 

My first hike in the Black Forest (Marzell, Germany) 

Over the next few days my host Becky showed me around, took me shopping, and helped me set up a bank account and insurance.  She also gave me the opportunity to take a hike in the Black Forest.  I started new staff orientation on the 7^th and for the next week and a half learned about the local culture, the language, and Black Forest Academy.  By the 17^th we moved into all staff conference and spent the next week and a half preparing for school which started on Aug. 30^th.  

To sum up this last month, all I need to share is one word.  Transition.  I have found that transition is not easy and yet realize that the less comfortable I am, the more I recognize God’s presence in my life.  There is no way I would have been able to make this transition without His help and the prayers and assistance of many people. 

In transition, the key is to not lose focus of WHO you are in Christ and WHOSE you are.  Transition looks different for everyone and is a time of instability. Don’t waiver!  There is nothing more the enemy wants than to pull us down in our instability.  Stand firm! Put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). 

 

Enjoy the photos!  Sorry that I don’t have any of my host or the people I work with in ELL. All of us forgot to take pictures 😊  I will include them next time. 

Hauptstrasse( Main Street) in Kandern  

The Kander River. Note the monument on the hill.

View of Kandern from the monument.

You can see the Lutheran Church from anywhere in town.

Can you see the heron that lives in the pine outside of my apartment? 

Birthplace of General John Sutter. I walk past it every day. 

Opening Day Ceremonies 

Walking with a neighbor in the "Wolfschlucht" ( Wolf "gorge")

Freiburg trip with new staff (photo credit, Caleb Turner)

Tobacco and corn next to each other? Looks like Lancaster. 

Cold nights motivated me to finish crocheting my afghan.  

 

Coming up next:  The First Weeks of School 

Time Flies

“Time Flies” is a phrase that has been used for centuries and I have always wondered what inspired its use.  No matter its historical context, the idea rings true.  Time does seem to pass by very quickly.  So much has taken place since I wrote in January and an update is overdue.

I have had many visits with friends, family, old and new acquaintances. I have enjoyed sharing the ministry of Black Forest Academy with them and have found their input to be very educational and spiritually uplifting. I have been humbled by the prayerful and financial support of my home church in this work God is sending me to do. 

Other churches have also been giving me opportunities to share with their congregations.

This past Sunday I traveled to a Lutheran Church in Glen Rock, PA.  The congregation was very welcoming and encouraging.  I am thankful for the support that they showed.  It happened to be Rogation Sunday.   According to their bulletin,

 “Rogation Sunday is a time when we thank God for His providence, for the cycle of planting and harvesting that sustains us year after year, and for the generous abundance with which He blesses us”.    

  

 I was not familiar with this celebration and it was a reminder to me of how God provides our every need even when we forget to acknowledge His constant intervention.  The church itself was surrounded by fields which reinforced the message.  I left the service with a refreshed perspective on thanksgiving and blessing.

Something else I’m thankful for is family.  In the beginning of May my sister and here fiancé got married.  They decided that they wanted me to be part of the wedding. So, with much effort from all ends we pulled the celebration together in 8 weeks 😊.  It was well worth the time and energy.  Their wedding was a beautiful reflection and reminder of God’s picture of marriage and how it relates to Christ and the Church.

Time really does fly.  It just seems like yesterday I was a little girl pretending my sister was getting married or that I was living in a different country where I spoke my own made up language.  In just two months I will be living in a different country and will be speaking a different language (German sounds much better than the one I made up).

It is in these things that I see the spiritual side of the human phrase “Time Flies”.   There is a time for everything and yet God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11). Time is a human construct; however, in our hearts we know there is more. When we focus on God’s kingdom He gives us that eternal perspective.  We are then faced with the question of what to do with it?  Will you use the time God has given you to make an eternal impact?

Ivy 

Walking Forward Yet Reflecting Back

Do you remember what God was doing in your life two years ago?  How did you think God would use those lessons? Were you right or has God surprised you? If you are like me, God has surprised you. 

Two years ago, I started this blog to communicate how God provided me with the opportunity to participate in an internship at 
Wycliffe Bible Translators and later teach English to elementary age students in Costa Rica. I had no idea that those lessons and experiences would lead me to what I am sharing today.

Photo Courtesy of Black Forest Academy 

This August I will begin my first term in full time ministry as an English as a Foreign Language(EFL) 
teacher at 
Black Forest Academy 
in Kandern, Germany. This international Christian boarding school allows missionary, military, and expatriate parents to provide their children with quality Christian education.  

My primary focus will be teaching EFL to secondary students in order that they may succeed academically; discovering what it means to use their gifts and skills competently in more than one language. Additionally, I will be participating in academic support services, Bible studies, discipleship, and music ministry within the community.

Aerial of School (Photo Courtesy of Black Forest Academy) 

This may not come as a shock to some of you but it did come as a shock to me.  Last May as I walked across the stage at graduation, I was at a complete loss as to what I would do next.  How was God going to use my varied interests, skills, and degrees? 

Reflecting on the last four years, I recognized that God used my time at Lancaster Bible College to instill in me the truth that God’s Word is the foundation for all education.  The next question was “What was I going to do with that knowledge?” 

God answered my question two months later with a question of His own. “Ivy, will you go? Will you use the passion for teaching I have given you and demonstrate the foundation of my Word in education with others?”

God introduced me to the ministry and work of Black Forest Academy through a newly hired co-worker whose parents had taught at the school when he was young. God’s question was ringing in my ears as I researched the school and clicked on the staffing page. There I would find an open position for an EFL teacher. A week later I began the 3-month application process.

God led me to be sent by TeachBeyond, the founding organization of 

Black Forest Academy(BFA). TeachBeyond focuses primarily on ministering to others through education.  I was approved by their organization in mid-October, shortly after I had been officially accepted by BFA and my church denomination. 

Since that time, I have met with other missionaries and professionals to prepare for the next step of the process.  I’m actively seeking out individuals, churches, Sunday school/Bible study groups and businesses to partner with me in this ministry through prayer and finances. 

To partner with me, CLICK HERE

I will be using this blog to post updates about this ministry to which God has called me.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me through this blog.  I look forward to serving the Lord in this capacity and sharing the joy of ministry with you. 

Ivy