Black Forest Academy Impact Story

Hello friends and family! We pray this spring season finds you rejoicing in Jesus’ promise of new life in Him. For this letter we want to share with you a friend’s personal story of her time serving at Black Forest Academy. Lauren served at BFA for ten years, a time that was both challenging and rewarding.

Lauren cared for students at BFA from the fall of 2010 to the summer of 2021. She spent the first three years as an RA of a boy’s dormitory, and then for seven years she taught in the music department as a piano teacher. Lauren recalls, “I wanted to pour out my life for other people and take care of their children. My aim was to live life in community and do it well.”

Lauren remembers the students at BFA were, “Something special.” She says, “It required me to put aside my monocultural assumptions and go out of my way to understand their stories. For missionary kids, home is fluid. They are seeking a sense of belonging somewhere, exploring their identities, and they have a blending of experiences. No experience can be extricated from another, and at times it can be messy. These students have a unique formula or combination of their personal narratives, and they are seeking to understand their own self-concept. Adolescent third culture kids are like jars of Play-doh. There is a lot of changeability—different forms and different colors. All the Play-doh ends up blending and melding together. These kids go through a lot, and I got to walk alongside them as they matured and came to grips with their unique background. I found them to be so interesting, and their view of the world was beautiful! My goal was to launch them in the best way possible so they could continue learning and growing. I wanted to be a non-anxious, kind, and compassionate presence for the students. The thing about BFA is you get to see the smallest parts of people’s stories. It was a beautiful gift! It is about raising the next generation to know and love God.”

When Lauren talks about the importance of BFA she explains, “being a missionary to missionary kids and their families is serving a need. The testimonials of parents speak to the impact the school has. The function that the school has played in their lives is transformative, and it’s because God is doing work there! We are the body of Christ, and today more than ever, missions and ministry involve living life in a community. The common denominator wherever we live is that God is caring for His people through those who say ‘yes.’ If we believe in the Great Commission, then we go. At BFA we get to love the students in our midst, and we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus—building up resiliency and clinging to Christ. His unshakable, loving, and empowering presence is what sustains us.”

It is stories like Lauren’s that have inspired and encouraged us! We want to build meaningful connections that are all about Kingdom work. BFA is the place we plan to do just that. This month the Sanford clan continues to engage in the preparations! With Germany on the horizon, we are sifting through our belongings and making good and hard decisions about what stays and goes. We also continue the support raising efforts one step at a time. Thank you to those who have joined our monthly support team thus far. We are grateful for all of you!

With much love and gratitude,

Zachary & Emma

If you would prayerfully consider joining us by supporting the mission please hit this link: www.OneChallenge.org/give and find us in the drop down menu: Sanford, Zach & Emma 110405.