Making Gains

Walking God's Way

Hello dear friends and family,

We have lived in Germany for 4 months now! Wow, time has flown, but also so much learning and growth has occurred. We thought it would be fun to share some fun facts about our new home with you.

Kandern Fun Facts:

•Storks are often seen flying overhead. In fact, an outer village of Kandern is known for its stork nests! They tower over the rooftops on huge log posts. 

•Speaking of birds, there is a local parrot called Rico that is a Kandern native. No one really knows Rico’s story, but what we do know is that Rico enjoys perching on the windowsills of our building’s attic. 

•It is a common sight to see tractors driving through town. But it is even more amusing to see a toddler in the passenger seat of the tractor going to work with his Mommy…another common sight. 

•We have a local legend lovingly referred to as the “chicken man.” The chicken man sets up his food truck outside of the bank on Monday’s and Thursday’s, and the whole town clamors for his rotisserie chickens and chicken nuggets. 

•In Germany, there are around 600 species of bumble bees! And these bees are a protected species, so it is illegal to kill a bee. Depending on the violation (catching, injuring, or killing), the fine is anywhere from 5,000-50,000 euro. 

•Any guesses on how old our current apartment building is? Our building is a 300-year-old converted barn!

Here is a picture of Rico! Zach discovered him perching on the top of the shed when he was taking out the trash. Rico is practically the size of Addy!

Zach continues to have a wide variety of jobs. One day he found himself tasked with removing 7 wasp nests from a school shed…thankfully all the gear was provided! The wasps didn’t put up a fight upon being relocated, and he sprayed a deterrent so that they wouldn’t return. The shed is used daily for large items waiting to be recycled, so everyone was glad for the pest control. 😊

Addy and I often walk to BFA and visit Zach. It is fun to see what project he is working on and helps us feel connected to the school community. In this photo Addy is curiously admiring Zach’s headlamp—used to replace a water inlet valve under a kitchen sink. Zach went to the local “Home Depot” store called Bauhaus to buy a needed part and then he shut off the water to replace it. It worked!

Addy LOVES visiting her Daddy!

Meaningful BFA exposure & involvement

•BFA celebrated its 70th anniversary last month! Zach, Addy, and I participated in the festivities all week long. One event was a ribbon cutting for the opening of the new dormitory! In August, students will move into the long-awaited new dorm. 

•Our church community is Black Forest Christian Fellowship—a congregation that meets in the BFA auditorium. We are greatly enjoying this church family, and it is a wonderful outlet for meeting students. 

•At church one morning we heard from high school students about their spring break mission trips. It brought us to tears to hear how these students love Jesus and want to serve Him! Many are feeling led and directed into ministry beyond high school. And many of the missionary kids at BFA are developing their own hearts for the nations. It is beautiful to witness such conviction and faith from the teenagers in our midst. 

•Over the course of the last month, BFA students have shared their testimonies and have been baptized in the river outside of the church. 

•We met a couple who serve as dorm parents for a dormitory called Blauen. And they invited us to the dorm for dinner one evening. We had so much fun meeting students in the dorm setting and getting to hear many of their stories! Addy especially loved playing ball with a few girls. It was helpful to see how home life for the boarding students looks, and we felt so encouraged by the family dynamic evidently present in the dorm.

•In the fall we have been asked to be “dorm subs” for a boys’ dorm called Sonne. They need extra volunteer support, and we look forward to investing in deeper ways in the lives of young men. As dorm subs, we will fill in for staff serving a meal or hanging out with students on a weekend. Addy will get to join us in this volunteering! I have no doubt she will provide affection and entertainment that only a toddler can.

Side story of God’s grace: Within our first few days living in Kandern, we ran into one of my high school friends! We were walking along the road and our paths crossed. I haven’t seen Noelle in ten years! We recognized each other immediately and put the pieces together. Noelle has been serving at BFA as the choir teacher since August of last year, and she is a gift to our family. We share so much history and many connections in Colorado that we feel bonded to one another. Thank you Lord for a friend who feels like family in our new home.

Adelaide's Addition

Adelaide is almost a year and half old and getting more loving and sweeter by the day. We recently hosted my family for a few weeks, and she got to spend significant time with her cousins. My goodness, she wanted to give hugs and kisses non-stop! She continues to love her baby dolls, binky, and blanket very much, sleeping with all three every night.

Addy has a natural and easy-going way of making new friends. When we go to the park she wants to join in the play with whoever is already there. She actually provides me with an outlet to meet local German moms. I’ve struck up conversations with several women as we’ve watched our children play together. I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in my new community!

Adelaide wearing her Daddy’s boots!

Prayer Requests

Friends and family, we want to come to you for prayer in a very specific way this month.

Shortly after we sent out our last newsletter in April, we discovered that we were expecting our second baby. We were so excited, and the timing felt really special! We were beginning our journey in overseas ministry and beginning the journey with another child on the way. But at my first doctor’s appointment 8-weeks along, we discovered that we were experiencing a miscarriage. The devastation and loss were greater than I could have imagined. And the physical and mental process was more difficult and lengthier than expected as well. Would you pray for us as we grieve? We feel well supported and loved by those near and those far away. We are sure of God’s presence and grateful for His peace. But we also know that our grief and questions will come in waves and with time. Your prayers make a difference, and we need our support family in this way. Thank you for walking with us in the very real trials of this life.

One of the ways God has revealed Himself to me in this difficult season is through the beauty of creation. If we just look up there is greater perspective. I am reminded to look “up” to see the Lord’s face.

Partner with Us

Feel free to pass on our link onechallenge.org/partner/110405 or our contact information to any interested family or friends that desire to learn more about our ministry at Black Forest Academy.

We also would love to hear from you! Are there ways we can pray for you? Please let us know at emmasanford@oci.org or zacharysanford@oci.org

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/partner/110405.