International Spice Market - emblematic of this month's happenings

A whole lot can happen in a month. Diane has been involved in more meetings than anyone might care to count but exciting stuff is growing out of these meetings. Folks from two "closed" Asian nations spent time here in Kandern to discuss the role that TeachBeyond might have in starting up and staffing language centers and schools throughout these closed countries. God's people in these places are are dreaming big and acting on those dreams. Many, outrageously many are meeting Christ and educational initiatives seem to be a powerful means by which this is happening. Diane has a full plate of initiatives to undertake and that's exciting.

Can you guess what sort of country Russ visited?

Russ' seniors took off to Rome for their class trip and a fine time, we hear, was had by all. While those guys were gone Russ traveled to do some work in a school located in another country that shall remain nameless (although the pictures should give it away. He had a great time helping out with their Worldviews classes and encouraging one of TeachBeyond's farther flung members.

Perhaps the tastiest looking kepab I've ever seen - no, I didn't have one (too full at the time).

Fall in our neck of the woods means harvest time. The big question is, "red or white"?

October '10

Well we're one month into the school year here. It's been a good start - a very calm spirit seems to be reigning right now. Thursday night Russ' seniors headed out on their senior trip. It's a good one - we got to go last year as senior class sponsors. They'll stop for the day (following an all night bus ride) in Florence before heading on to their hotel for the week in Santa Severa. This is a beach town about an hour outside of Rome and the base of operations for the rest of the week. Museums, wanderings through the city and a day at the beach will fill up their time and they'll head back on Thursday via Venice (actually arriving at BFA Friday morning). This trip is designed to bond and strengthen the Senior Class and it usually does so.

In the time off from having classes I'll be traveling to a major city in a "sensitive" country that is home to a sister school. I'm going at the invitation of the principal of that school and I'm very thankful for Europe's budget airlines which allow very affordable travel. I get to meet with the Worldviews teacher there and teach a few classes. I also get to check out a few of the sights.

Diane officially takes up the mantle of her new position now that September is over. She has responsibilities that will necessitate absolute reliance on God's provisions as she overseas various language projects in multiple continents and countries. Pray for God to raise up people and churches with a heart for and background in using language instruction as an opportunity to share the hope of Christ.

We had a great time last weekend visiting with some old friends who were "in town" from California. It's so refreshing to catch up especially when folks are still faithful in ministry after "all these years".

Well it's arrived. Still another season of transition. We're settled fairly well in our long term apartment (check out the view of the local castle ruin we have - albeit on full telephoto - from our kitchen window):
Diane transitions from her posting of the last few years of helping to oversee the local English Camps for German teens to her position of Director of Language Services for our mission TeachBeyond. We have seen so many lives of kids and staff impacted by ECs and they will continue to be dear to us and a great opportunity for North Americas to come and serve for a few weeks in the summer - think about it!

The students started back today at Black Forest Academy and I officially met my Seniors for the first time. It's transition time for them as well but the eve of much larger transitions at the close of this academic year. Here are some shots from the day:

Of course that means I get to transition back to my classroom role - I just love teaching the Worldviews class and, as you can tell I'm ready - Diane has finished ironing the Fall Collection:

Here's a brief excerpt from an incredibly encouraging Facebook message I received from a former student of WVs Class of 2009:

... ALL of this to say- i appreciated what you did for me my senior year. you made it brilliant. you made me learn when i didn't want to, you made me question when i thought i didn't need to, and you made me grow when i though i was already done. I can say without a doubt that there is no was i could've made it through this last year without everything you taught me. i got out my world views notes on more than one occasion and the notes i didn't keep i wish i had. keep up the good work sir, it is much needed...

Wow - I came back to BFA with a desire to help our graduating seniors "make it" after BFA. If I can be used like that it's got to be a joy!

Then there's Carl - our high-schooler - Yikes!

And of course it's time for partings. The parents of our boarding kids go through it and this year I think I'll get it more than ever as Hannah leaves Friday for Azusa Pacific University (not that I already don't understand partings but I've left our other kids in familiar places). Here's what it looks like for our parents here - I don't think I'll be posting my face when the time comes.


So it's an exciting time and a challenging time. We're hanging on for the ride.

So, here's a photo summary of some of the events of the last 2 months in sort of reverse order.

Above and below - some of this year's English Campers

Below - four multi-year EC 6 "grads" who spent the night with us.

Moving day for our friends the Shumans (20 bags + 10 carry-ons!!). We'll miss you!

Moving day for us!

Four generations of Diane, Helen(Diane's mom), Amanda (nee Kraines), Isabelle.

Sam, Hannah, and Amanda together again.

Proud Grandma.

Proud Grandpa.

Hannah in the grad line-up

Just a few random pics this month:

Hannah receiving her grad tribute - High Honors!!

Russ with all his students named "Kim"

Russ & Diane at the Junior/Senior Banquet (we were Senior Class Sponsors)

2001 Prayer card - Yikes!

Hannah and an alumni on Grad day

May in Kandern:

We're facing the last eight days of classes over the next two weeks. Each are four day weeks due to the religious holidays still honored by the German calendar. A week and a half ago there was Ascension Day, tomorrow is Pentecost and next week Corpus Christi day. Days like these reflect the longevity of the Christian story in form here in western Europe even though it is not an essential part of a great many lives here. Stores close, the streets are quiet, and no one mows lawns on these holidays because it is bad form to do so on a "holy day" but that's the extent of it for many.

If you New Englanders reading this are perversely proud of the changeableness of your regions weather, I think southwestern Germany could offer you some stiff competition. A given Spring day here will include glorious warm sunshine, drenching downpours, cold mist and the odd rainbow tossed in. Rainbows appear often and you can actually see the ends of them on the hillsides here. Unfortunately I don't have a recent photo to post of one - this post's rainbow is from English Camp 2006.

The best news of May: We have a new granddaughter and she's a beauty! Isabelle Grace Lavoie was born on May 14, 2010. Brad, Amanda, Cameron and Isabelle are all doing well.

Soon we head back to RI to visit Isabelle, other family, friends, supporters and churches. After that it's back to Kandern for English Camp season.

April wanderings

Hannah on the roof on Burkina Faso

It's been a busy month of travel for us. Hannah went off to Burkina Faso to raise a few roofs, Diane went to Lübeck, Germany to train folks for running "Partner" English camps, hundreds traveled to Kandern for a conference of Christian educators, and Diane, Carl and myself spent some time at a conference near Stuttgart, Germany. All this in a month where travel to, from and within Europe was radically disrupted by Icelandic ashes. On the conference there was a day trip to Rothenberg - a premier medieval city in Germany.

In the town's church.

One of Rothenberg's gates

Hand painted, real blown Easter egg decorations on a town fountain.

That's what I call eyebrow dormers - it's like they follow you across the square.