Monday, November 17, 2014

Step by Step

  

 
  Often there are growing, stretching moments in our children's lives.  And sometimes it feels as though the lesson is more than they can bear. There are often quiet tears, and sometimes the flopping of arms with heavy sighs as they fall back into the couch, hoping to hide in its comfort and warmth.
  
  We try to come along side them and remind them, when you climb to the top of the mountain, you get there one step at a time.  And we cheer them and help them as they work through each new step.  

  How true this is for us as adults, too. God never stops sending us new challenges and lessons.  If we are willing, we will know Him more as He walks with us up the mountain side.

  
He has been encouraging my heart recently in Isaiah 46:8-11:

“Remember this, and show yourselves men;
Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it.
"

  As we prepare our family to move to Germany and serve at Black Forest Academy, we have to daily remind ourselves of this very truth. God has called us to care for our brothers and sisters on the foreign field, by teaching, caring for, and discipling their high school students. This means that we must trust that He will get us there, one step at a time.

  Presently, we are at a little over 12% of our monthly pledges and the Lord has amazed us and refreshed us with so many wonderful supporters.  We are truly encouraged to find others who have a heart to join in this work, and to support so many on foreign soil.  But sometimes it is easy for me to take my eyes off the next step before me, and when my gaze rests on that mountain of 100% of our monthly pledges, I start to feel dizzy and overwhelmed....and I look around for a couch.

 Proverbs 37:5 says,  

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

  He calls us to share the work He is doing with Third Culture Kids at Black Forest Academy, and that is the next step we must take. He is faithful, and He is the One who will bring this mountain to pass. 

  Would you like to know more about what this ministry means to our brothers and sisters on the field? Here's what missionary parents of Black Forest Academy students have to say about this unique ministry:




 

Monday, November 3, 2014



How you can Support Many Mission Fields at Once

 One of the top reasons missionaries leave their foreign fields is because of the educational needs of their children.  For some homeschooling is illegal, for some the host country does not have the adequate resources to support a homeschooling effort,  and for some there are not any options available for their children to receive an adequate education.       
The Black Forest Academy (BFA), in the south west corner of Germany, has been meeting the needs of missionary families and their high school aged children for the past 50+ years.  BFA is a school run by full time missionary- teachers, administration, and staff, who raise their own support in order to keep the cost affordable for missionaries on fields in over 50 countries.

    As we look back over the years of our life and ministry, we can clearly see how God has been preparing us for this specific work all along.  We have always seen education as a means of sharing the Gospel of Jesus and discipling students to grow in the Lord. So, we are thrilled with the thought that we are not only supporting those already in scattered fields around the world, but the students we will be reaching will likely be a driving force of the next generation of foreign missionaries. What an  incredible opportunity! We are humbled to go, and thrilled to be used by God to be a support to many missionaries and their children through the discipleship/educational field that we are so passionate about!

  The sending organization that we are serving with is TeachBeyond. This is the same organization that began BFA over 50 years ago, and we are excited about their vision to build the Kingdom by placing missionaries in education positions around the world.
Become a part of our team to reach MKs
   Is this vision to support global missions by supporting the education of Missionary Kids (MKs) something you are passionate about?  We are seeking a like-minded support team to help us meet this  great need through prayer and finances. 

Our Needs
   Teach Beyond has assigned to our family of seven, a budget of  $8,300/month and a start up (or relocation cost) of approximately $25,000.  This is a big need, but it is of small matter to the One in which we place our trust. 
We have already seen Him provide through His church 92% of our relocation costs.  That is over $23,000 since the beginning of the summer.  Only He can receive praise for this kind of generosity, and we are humbled to be a part of the lives of His faithful and generous children.  Praise GOD!  
We have also received pledge commitments of 11% toward our monthly needs.  One way of completing the monthly support is through the following scenario:   

5 giving $500 a month
5 giving $250 a month
15 giving $100 a month
34 giving $50 a month
54 giving $25 a month

Would you prayerfully consider being one who will partner with us financially to invest in this ministry of supporting Missionary Families around the world?   
We’re grateful for the chance to share this great opportunity with you!
- Ryan and Cathlyn Zwemke

Visit our giving page through our sending organization, Teach Beyond:
https://give.teachbeyond.org/support/zwemkes/ 

Short video to introduce Black Forest Academy