Let the BLOG Begin:

THE journey...well, maybe not THE journey of all people and times, but certainly THE one for me.

This journey began long ago when He directed my steps on this path.  However, this segment started in December when Scott Jones presented the teaching need at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany.  Though most of you are familiar with the specifics, I write them now as a memorial for when times become difficult or discouraging.  How clearly did the thoughts come:  your are single now, Bill and Ruth are not married, no grandchildren or elderly parents need attention, currently my health is good, and I have been given the education and experience that fit this exactly.  As if to underscore these thoughts, Ruth said, "Mom, you should do that!" as we walked out of church that morning.

After informally meeting with Scott, the multifaceted application process began with both BFA, the school, and TeachBeyond, the mission or sending organization.  "Thorough" would describe the vetting system:  applications, documents, references, personality assessments, training books that required responses, etc.  Though accepted provisionally by TB, they needed to hear about a specific position at BFA being offered to finalize.  That came just before May, in time for CBS to dismiss (which was discouraging because of missing the opportunity to have specific details to share with them) and our long-awaited trip to Israel began.  By the time we returned physically and my brain returned mentally, it was about a week before June.  At that point the new onslaught of work began, plus summer vacations were starting for the people to whom I wished to speak, another disappointment and delay.  I had begun the new, required reading, but between letter writing, raising support  and pre-orientation assignments due by June 15th, I felt like daylight came and went quickly, but the roller coaster of emotions and stress remained.

 Finally, last week, on the 24th, orientation time arrived--with the day starting a 3:20 a..m. for the flight to MN...yuck, and think about the poor people who drove me to the airport!   In total contrast, this turned into a special, awesome week--an exciting, humbling, thanking, thinking, greeting, and learning time. The continual work and the discouragements were placed in perspective.  I'll have to post those orientation updates sent via e-mail as a separate "memorial'  blog because the details were too important for me to forget.

Now that I'm back home, I'm waiting on closure on several fronts before leaving for Germany...only a month away!  Though some support remains to be raised, the BIG issues now are Ruth's relocation (the biggest--pray), many business details need addressing (pray that I remember them all), finishing the house preparation, and finally the packing.  To me this is another mountain to cross and I'm only standing at its base.  How can all of this fall in place in such a short time?  I don't know.  He does. Watch with me to see how. As if to reinforce this, today I received an e-mail from one of the presenters at the conference, Norm, telling of his harrowing experience of having lost his passport and boarding pass for the return flight to Germany.  Through prayer and persistence, each dead end and delay--a cab driver who didn't know where the hotel was that he was to use as he did the work to replace the items, closed lost and found offices, treks up and down stairs to visit and revisit offices, thwarted  attempts on every hand--revealed a door cracked open to the next ray of hope.  Long story short, he is now in Germany, maybe a little more tired, but he's there.  I will get there, too.

If you've read this far, thank you for bearing with me, especially if you've heard most of this before.  At present this blog is rather like the first days of school  (BORing...as the students and I would think) when the background is laid, but it is foundational for leading into what we share in the future: the ups and downs, the joys, the delays, and the anticipations that await.  I'm grateful that you are journeying with me.


The ORIENTATION MEMORIAL:  

TeachBeyond Orientation Updates

SUNDAY MAY 24th

Starting a BLOG is not as easy as one would think.  Eventually, that will give me a chance to give you more information (especially to those not on Facebook), but staying up later tonight to do that is not wise.

After waking at 3:25 a.m., Pat and Ralph picked me up about 3:50 to go to the airport (brave, kind souls who were also going to church later in the day!).  The flights were uneventful, but you CPCC people, would you believe I saw Mike Ruganis while transferring flights in Atlanta!!! What a small world. 

Those on Facebook may have seen the brief statement that there are 18 countries represented among these 87 new people going on the field.  How exciting to meet people with the same desires and goals.  Who would believe at my age I would be back on a college campus, walking no less to dinners and meetings.  That will be just what I'll be doing in Germany, so it is good practice.  (Can't say that is a favorite thing to do, but my body needs it.)

We have meetings all day and into each evening, but much of the information is needed.  My suite-mates are a good match.  Maureen, a lively, upbeat individual, and Pat, who is more my age and headed for Black Forest Academy as well.

Anyway, I really want to let you be as much a part of this as you would like, an important goal to me as you are invested in this, too.

Maybe tomorrow a blog will appear?  Then I'll need a ghost blogger to make in interesting. 

Thank you for being you, Ginger

TUESDAY MAY 27^th

Just a quick note to tell you how amazing this time has been.  We are on the go from 7:30 a.m. until we return about 9:15 p.m., and then we roommates talk until even later.  I can't believe it's just like the college dorm with so much to chat about.

Yesterday so many things were said that just reaffirmed this is exactly what I should be doing.  The devotion yesterday talked about this "journey" He is leading us on...just as I have described it to many of you.  Then later the devotional from Oswald Chamber's I shared with some of you came up.  I think it was May 23 from My Utmost for His Highest where he says the good is the enemy of the best.  That was so clearly meant for me then and yesterday.  My life in Naples is truly  blessed and delightful by the friends and relationships he has grown.  Having to lean on Him so much more than ever before since Bill has been gone, He has taught me much about Himself, growing my faith.  This journey overseas will require an even greater dependence than even these last two years.  This means He will show me even more of Himself as I trust Him for everyday things that could be done here with ease.  It will require concentrated effort to do every day things like  talking with people ( and learn the language),  measurements, transactions with business, shopping, in addition to now working full-time, pressures of the job and the  preparation itself, etc.  His closeness during this is "the best" and remaining here would be only the "good."  

Seeing such a collection of young adults devoting themselves to a life committed to His service (and some not so young...even older than I) is so inspiring.  Each person's story is unique as we share testimonies each night.  Another  blessing is having the opportunity to see people here who have only been names on the bottom of e-mails up to this point.  What an inspiring group of people with TeachBeyond. 

In fact,  I am more and more impressed about this opportunity to minister and serve in this capacity more than ever from some of the things we learned today.  I knew that going here would allow missionaries to stay on the field in many different areas, but I did not realize educational issues were the #1 preventable reason that missionaries leave the field.  Another fact was these students (called TCKs--third culture kids) have unique skills from having lived in more than one culture.  (A whole book explains this idea, but their flexibility and adaptability from this experience, the ability to speak two or more languages fluently, the understanding of cultural nuances, etc.)  These traits make them highly sought after in recruiting for international corporations, state departments, and intelligence organizations.  Imagine, we are helping put Christians in these very crucial areas with such schools as BFA.  In addition, about 50% of every graduating class returns to the mission field in some capacity.  Can you imagine the impact year after year with this! There is so much more, but this astounded me and encouraged me greatly.  I can help do this, and you are too by being involved. Thank you again.  I hope you are as excited as I am to see what He is doing for furthering His purposes.

THURSDAY May 28th

All of you who are free Friday night at 7:30 p.m., please feel free to stop buy Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, for the TeachBeyond deputation service!

As facetious as that is, I do want to thank you for being a part of this experience.  This week has been far better than anticipated.  In addition to the other things written, I am more impressed with TeachBeyond as the days and classes continue.  They are doing everything to address concerns and provide preparation with the information given.  The organization has a heart for reaching the world with the message of Jesus and with a quality team.  They have covered acculturation--the things to expect when adjusting to a new culture, finances, the need for personal purity (and addressing matters of sexual purity and the temptations that can easily ruin a future), pull out sessions for individual ministries like house parents, teacher both new and experienced, residence  counselors, etc.  They have been so professional in their approach, and careful to meet our needs. TB even has Member Care individuals to monitor our well-being as we transition and work.  The leaders, many of whom we were able to meet, are dynamic and radiate the love of God as they show concern for our success to His glory.  This has truly been special. 

As you can tell, the days have been long.  Another special time is each evening's testimony time.  The ages represented reflect a wide range, and I'm not the oldest, and there are several mature adults in their 50's.  However, the largest number are young people in their 20s or early 30s.  What a blessing to hear how God has worked in their lives and to see them dedicated to living in a close relationship with Him.  Two young couples going to Vietnam, a couple who had to leave Mali during the coup, young people who have stood up to the pressures of the world far better than many adults we know are just some examples. 

SUNDAY JUNE1st  FB entry

How to summarize this past week? Excellent, proactive information to prepare us for cultural transition expectations and foibles, moving advice, financial suggestions, pull-out sessions to discuss individual areas in which we will live and one for our individual jobs in these areas, opportunities to meet with those with whom we'll work, and an insight as to the shepherding care our organization of TeachBeyond provides. My small understanding of working at a single school has been replaced by a much larger, global vision of impacting the world with education. What a privilege this is...now to keep warm in winter so I can do it. :)