Running in the Rain

One of my favorite parts of running a race is seeing the photos taken by the race photographers. Usually I look absolutely terrible in these pictures but every once in a while there's a winner. Sometimes I'll even buy a few of the shots when they offer a sale months later. So it makes sense that I just now got around to buying my race photos from the RnR Madrid Half Marathon back in April.

While training for a race in the arid desert climate of Madrid, rain was the last thing I anticipated. (Go ahead with your rain in Spain on the plains jokes, I'll wait.) In my months of training, I hadn't encountered rain once while on a run. So you can imagine my despair when, come race day, the sky was overcast and the rain fell steadily. It let up for the start and I prayed desperately for it to hold off a few more hours. When the heavy rains began pelting me at mile 3, there was no turning back. I was in it for the long haul and I had no choice but to keep moving forward and finish the race. It ended up raining hard for the next ten miles and by the time I crossed the finish line I was completely drenched and rocking the drowned rat look.

I looked something like this.

I've been reflecting on this experience recently as I participate in another race - the race of life. Yes, I know it sounds cheesy but bear with me here. My life as a teacher is divided into four major "races" with visible finish lines. The first race is completing the fall semester and being rewarded with Christmas vacation. The second race is completing the stretch between Christmas and Spring Break, and the third race is like one of those super intense Spartan Sprint 5Ks as we return from Spring Break and barrel towards the biggest finish line of them all: summer vacation. The fourth race is spending the summer raising support to do it all over again the next year. I cross that finish line when I reach 100% of my support for that year.

Sometimes those races go exactly as planned but more often than not, things come up. I trip over surprises like untied shoelaces, and obstacles block my path like potholes in the road. Spiritual attacks strike me from every side like a torrential downpour of rain. Sometimes I have to stop and catch my breath. Sometimes I think about quitting. But every time God gives me the strength to keep moving forward and finish the race.

I've been studying scripture passages about patience and perseverance as I grapple with the latest surprise, Germany's minimum wage law. It is still beyond my understanding how I will raise the rest of my support in the next two weeks. This unexpected spike in support needs has taken me by complete surprise, much in the same way that the rain did on race day.

While reading Romans 5, I was blown away by the Message version.

We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary - we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:3-5, The Message)

There are so many great images in this passage! Passionate patience. The tempered steel of virtue. Alert expectancy. These are the kinds characteristics that I strive for as I actively wait for God to do a great work in and through and for me. In the meantime I shout my praise to the Lord who is indeed my Everything.



Please join me in praying for this final $565 in monthly support to come in. Pray that it will pour in so fast that I won't be able to "round up enough containers to hold everything" as God generously provides.

If you'd like to participate in God's provision, please visit my personal giving page and sign up to make a monthly gift of any size.

not safe

Moving to Spain is stressing me out.

There. I said it.

I'm supposed to be excited about another adventure but right now all I can think about is how much work is going to need to happen in order for me to get to Madrid by August.

At first, I thought that going to Spain was taking the easy route. I'd just keep doing what I've been doing, teaching MKs in middle school and living in a country that's not my own. I would be able to keep working on support and not have to make things complicated tax-wise with American income. I would be close enough to Germany to return for my small group girls' graduation. It seemed like such a simple transition.

The reality of this situation is that I am making my life more complicated and this is, in fact, the harder path to take. First, I am adding another "home" to my heart. As someone who spent most of her life in the same town, I had a hard time identifying with the nomads who sat in my classroom conflicted about where they called home. After living in Germany for five year things have changed. Germany has become home for me, but I still have my HOME home in America. So when I go to the States and people say "Welcome home!" I become so turned around that I don't know whether to hug them or punch them in the face. Clearly that's not enough confusion for me as I will soon add Spain to my list of "homes" and be even more divided in my loyalties.

Another reason why this move is proving more difficult is because it will require me to continue living off the financial support of my friends and family. While at first this seemed ideal for long term ministry, it also makes things harder because let's face it, support raising is hard work and it's never over. Even when you get all the pledges and gifts you need to be fully funded, you have to maintain personal relationships with every single person who supports you. While I'd like to say otherwise, I have failed miserably at that aspect of the job. The discouraging lack of funding that I'm currently facing doesn't help matters, it just makes the idea of moving to America and getting a "real job" that much more tempting.

Finally, there's the paperwork. Don't even get me started on the paperwork. I have been working on my visa application since February and still don't have all the necessary documents in order for this application. It took over a month to get a letter of good health from my German doctor, and tonight I discovered that it will cost over $100 to translate two documents amounting to approximately four sentences into Spanish for this application. Then there's the trip I will have to make - probably by train - to the nearest Spanish consulate to apply in person and pay the hefty application fee and then face the very real possibility of my application being rejected because one staple is out of place.

I don't tell you all these things so that you can have pity on me, and please hear me: I am NOT complaining. I just need to put this into words: following Jesus is HARD WORK. No one ever said that the roads He calls us to walk will be easy, in fact He told us quite the opposite. We are to expect difficulty without being surprised, and we are called to face it with bravery rather than run away. If I believed that every bump on the road was some sort of warning sign from God then I would have left Germany within a week of arriving and never come back. I am making a conscious choice to take the hard road and do the things that scare me and make me question what in the world God is doing because I know that the rewards of an obedient life far outweigh the alternative. I am not called to live a safe life, and I can't let these difficulties scare me away.

This brings to mind a scene from C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." When the Beavers are explaining Aslan to the Pevensie children Susan inquires, "Is he safe?" Mr. Beaver laughs and retorts, "Safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."

God is not calling me to be safe. He is calling me to take risks, be brave, and do hard things. I know I can trust Him to make this possible because He is GOOD.

Do you want to be a part of my unsafe life? Prayerfully consider becoming a monthly supporter or making a special one-time gift to help get my support account out of the red.

for crying out loud

I'm really bad at asking for help. At some point I got it into my head that I needed to be strong and independent, but somewhere along the line I became a little too independent. It's interesting, then, that I have chosen a lifestyle that relies on my ability to ask for help and live on the generosity of those around me.

It's also interesting that the concept of "crying out for help" has come up several times in my Bible studies over the last few months. It started with a sermon at church about the story of Jesus walking out to the disciples on the water and Peter asking Jesus to call him out of the boat. While a lot of people give Peter flack for his doubt and subsequent sinking, my pastor made a good point that I'd never thought of before: The reason he was even able to sink was because he got out of the boat! Not only that, but he asked Jesus to call him out of the boat. For some reason that struck a chord with me as I compared myself to Peter. Now I've never walked on the Rhein River but once upon a time I asked God to send me into the world, and in faith I stepped out of my comfortable boat into an ocean of foreign languages and cultural adjustments and homesickness and a bunch of crazy teenagers that make my life worth living. And like Peter, when I take my eyes off of Jesus I begin to sink -- not into the ocean but into anxiety, selfishness, and insecurity. Many also speculate on why Jesus let Peter sink. Couldn't he have just let Peter walk on water? Sure, but if he had, would Peter have truly placed his confidence in Jesus? Or would he have taken the credit for this little "miracle"? I think that Peter needed to cry out to Jesus and remember where his strength was coming from. He also needed to see firsthand that Jesus would hear and answer his cries.

In the days following that sermon, I got the unsettling sense that God was getting ready to bring me to a place where I would have no choice but to call out to Him to deliver me.

A few weeks later during my Beth Moore study on the life of David, the idea of crying out to God came up again. One thing I've really enjoyed during this study is the ability to look at the actual events in 1-2 Samuel, then read what was going through David's mind in the psalms that he wrote. David cried out to the Lord multiple times to deliver him from the hand of his enemies, which He did. Beth Moore wrote, "God could rescue us with or without our cry for help." So why, then, must we call on Him before He rescues us? She raises a very interesting question. The more I've thought about it, the more I am convinced that before I can truly appreciate God's hand in my life, I have to first be willing to admit that I need it. As long as I can take care of things on my own then I don't need to ask for help. The very act of asking is admitting that I can't do it on my own. I have to lay down my pride and place myself in God's hand before He can truly help me. Furthermore, when I surrender control and place my life in God's hands I have no choice but to give Him the glory for what happens next.

Over the last several weeks God has given me plenty of opportunities to put this new idea into practice, most notably last week when I received an email from TeachBeyond informing me that due to the balance of my account, my monthly "salary" is being reduced -- by about 20%. Once again I find myself dangerously close to being sent home just a few months before the school year is over.

I'll tell you a secret: raising support is not fun, enjoyable, or easy. In fact, it's the most stressful part of my job. There's so much pressure when your entire life is on display, and it's tempting to turn it into a display of my own strength and abilities. It's hard sometimes to keep the right perspective. But it's the life I have chosen for myself and the only way that I am able to serve my Who. After five years of struggling through the highs and lows of this life, I've come to the conclusion that it's not supposed to be easy. If it were, then I could take credit for it myself and no doubt forget to praise the One who truly deserves the credit. Because of the struggle, I am forced to truly humble myself before Him before He can help me, otherwise I'll continue operating under the delusion that I am enough and that I can take care of myself.

So now that I've cried out to Jesus and accepted that I can't do this without Him, I cry out to you, my friends and supporters. The reality of my current situation is that my support account is about to go into the negative -- or already has, as my month-end statement will probably show up as this posts. I am checking my mailbox every day for my German tax bill, which I was told will be in the neighborhood of about 2,000 Euro. I am in desperate need of new monthly supporters in order to finish this school year and move on to Spain this fall. I am going to have to pay all my bills here in Germany for the month of July while I am in America. My five-year old computer has reached the end of its lifespan and I can't afford to buy a new one. There are a lot more stressors on my mind right now but these are the most pressing. It's hard not to despair. God has brought me to a place of complete and utter dependence on Him, and now I humbly seek His provision through you. Many of you are already giving generously and I can't ask you to do more. However, if you are reading this and are not currently partnering with me financially, would you consider praying about becoming a monthly supporter or one-time gifter?

I\d like to end this post by sharing with you two songs that have been on repeat over the last few weeks. The first one, Faithful, is a beautiful reminder of how I can trust God with my future because of what He's done with my past. The second, Lift My Life Up, is a response to God's faithfulness. When I acknowledge who God is my only response is complete and total surrender.

don't blink

Lately I've been burdened by the brevity of life, and convicted by the ways I'm spending my time. As I watch the news scrolling through my internet browser, I read of death, despair, and evil permeating our planet. The truth is, that's the way it's going to be until Jesus returns. But in the meantime, what does that mean for me?

I want to live fearlessly.
I want to love unconditionally.
I want to pursue righteousness on a daily basis.
I want to say words that I've held back in fear of rejection, embarassment, or judgment.

As I think about the rapidly dwindling days left in our school year, I can't help but be reminded of this. Our days are numbered quite literally, and there is so much to accomplish, so many places to go, so many memories to make before we can say we've reached the end. The moment I allow myself to check out and begin counting down the days is the moment I stop thriving and start surviving. I can't blink or the time will be gone. I want to savor my remaining days with the eighth graders like a good cup of coffee, not charge through them like a bottle of water after a hard run.

Yesterday began with my discovery of a brand new Relient K song, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It expresses so perfectly what I've been feeling that I shared it with my eighth graders this morning during our devotions, and now I'm sharing it with you. Let it be a reminder to live and love fully each day!

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. [Psalm 39:4-5]

coffee cupdate: whispered edition

If we were to sit down for a cup of coffee, I would have a lot to tell you.

You would probably notice right away that I don't have a voice. I would boast that I am usually an impenetrable fortress of immunity, but that the fortress has fallen, and I have succumbed to some form of sore throat/laryngitis. Then we would enjoy a good laugh as I try to speak and only manage to squeak out a few words. From here on out, I would be forced to whisper in order to be understood.

I would sigh as I wrap my hands around a steaming mug of tea (with lemon, to soothe my raw throat), thankful that there is only one more day of classes before spring break. I would try to explain that this quarter has been basically nonstop action from the very beginning, and how the days have raced by faster than I've ever experienced in all my years of teaching. You would probably ask me what my spring break plans are and I would tell you about the International Christian Educators Conference that our school is hosting this year. I might sheepishly mention that I have been selected to lead a workshop with my friend and colleague Katrina, and that we are both very anxious about it! I'd probably ask you to pray fervently that my voice comes back before then.

I might also mention that at the very end of spring break I'm running in the Freiburg marathon with several of my friends. Before you got too impressed I would promptly inform you that I am absolutely NOT running a marathon, but that I am just running one "leg" of a team relay marathon. I would admit that I am still quite terrified of race day, as my part of the race is 14 kilometers, a distance I have never run before either in training or competition. I'd share how I've been training for months with my best friends and gush about what a huge encouragement they've been to me as I've trudged along with them through snow, rain, mud, and on a few days, sunshine. I'd ask for prayer for the mental battle that is currently raging inside my head, as I desperately fight to believe that I can, in fact, run 14 kilometers. And I'd admit that the last few weeks have been discouraging due to fatigue, missed workouts, and just being caught in the "February Funk" that seems to get me every year, and now that the race is less than three weeks away I am begining to feel anxious.

What would you tell me?

find us faithful

Three years ago today, my great grandma Geraldine went home to be with the Lord.

As I think about her life, I can't help but marvel at the amazing woman that she was. She was a pastor's wife and mother to eleven children, and she devoted her life to encouraging and serving those around her. She was a fierce prayer warrior with a generous servant's heart, always prepared with cards in the mail for every birthday and anniversary. In her old age she developed hand tremors that skewed her beautiful script, voice tremors that distorted her speech, and Alzheimer's that twisted her memories. While I don't envy the trials that she faced in her old age, I so want to live a life that leaves a legacy like she did.

Our last family reunion together - Summer 2009

Let's start with the fact that she and her husband raised their eleven children to walk with the Lord, and they did the same with their children. Because of them, I have a tremendously rich and Godly heritage that not everyone can say they have. It brings new meaning to Paul's letter to Timothy, in which he mentions the young man's godly heritage (2 TIm 1:5): I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

My mom, grandma, and I on the day I left for Germany 

Second, consider the fact that she was so ready to go home that she basically planned her own funeral, long before her mind started to go. I have a photocopy of part of her prayer journal in my Bible, on it the lyrics to the Steve Green song "Find us Faithful" as well as Salvation Army Songbook song numbers and various scripture passages. Even in her death, she pointed people to Jesus. 

If I'm being completely honest, many times I feel myself wondering when will my life begin, much like Rapunzel in Disney's Tangled. Then I come to the startling realization that last week I turned 27 and remember that my life has definitely begun. I am not at all where I thought I would be at 27, but I am where I am supposed to be. I always imagined that by now I would have married and begun raising a house full of munchkins. After all, if I'm going to have eleven kids, I'd better get started early, right?

Um yeah, about that. God's definitely made it clear that mothering eleven children is not my calling. I do still feel a strong desire to raise a family, and I believe that it is still going to happen someday. But even if I never marry or have my own biological children, I will have had more "children" than any earthly mother can or ever will birth.

I refer to my students as my kids, even when they have left my classroom. I rejoice with them, I get frustrated with them, I carry their burdens home with me and I carry them to the Throne when they are broken. I laugh with them every day, I cry when they graduate from eighth grade, and I discipline them even though it hurts me more than it hurts them. They surprise me with their wit, intelligence, and deep understanding of humanity due to their multicultural upbringing. They humble me with their servant hearts and their pure faith. They challenge me with their questions and their eager minds waiting to be blown by the awesomeness of science. And I love them like they were my own.

They are my legacy. Even if they don't remember anything else about their time in my class, I want them to know that I loved Jesus, and that He loves them, too. I pray that when they look back on their time in the BFA middle school, that they find me and their other teachers faithful.


Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
[Steve Green, Find us Faithful]

50 states of support: week four update

This week has been the most fruitful week yet in terms of people expressing interest and committing to becoming monthly supporters! EIGHT states were claimed on the map, bringing the total up to 15. I am scheduled to leave one week from tomorrow, so please join me in praying that the rest of the support would come in quickly and that I don't have to delay my flight. If you're thinking about becoming a monthly supporter yourself, please take a minute right now to visit the TeachBeyond website, read about your options, and sign up. Then, shoot me an email letting me know that you did! (Because I won't get another support update from TB until Friday)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
{Philippians 4:19}

coffee cupdate

If we were to sit down for a cup of coffee, I'd have a lot to tell you.

I'd begin by giving you an update on my support situation, as that seems to be all I can think about these days. I'd tell you that I am less than two weeks away from my scheduled departure date but that at this point I am still in need of over $500 in monthly support before I will be cleared to fly. I would ask you to prayerfully consider how you can get involved if you haven't already done so, and I would ask you to pray for me, that I would find the people God is directing to give, and that I would continue to find peace in Him.

I'd share with you what a blessing it has been to spend time with friends who truly "get" why I do what I do. I'd admit that sometimes I feel like I have to justify myself to so many people (see this article on missionaries and "guiltitude") and that it's refreshing to be with people who are not only 110% supportive of what I am doing, but truly "get" the bigger picture, that life is about more than making money and following rules!

I'd tell you that I am really excited to have sold so much jewelry in the past few weeks that my shop started to look super sparce! I'd show you some pictures of new pieces I've been adding to the shop, and explain that now that I've had some time to figure out my "style", I'm concentrating on personalizing my "signature" pieces by adding lots of new color choices. I'd ask if you know anyone getting married anytime soon, because I am itching to decorate another set of bridesmaids and contribute to someone's special day!

What would you tell me??

50 states of support: week three update

After the disappointment of not gaining any new monthly supporters last week, I am excited to share with you that this week has brought progress! FIVE new states were filled in this week and I am blessed to have gained $100 in monthly support. Join me in both praising God for this blessing, and asking Him to continue to move in the hearts of those yet to give.

I am scheduled to return to Germany TWO weeks from tomorrow, but I MUST be 100% fully funded in order to board the plane. God is faithful, and He will meet all my needs. Remember that he works through his people, and I can't just ask God to give me a money tree ... I have to ask YOU to consider giving so that I can continue in my service at BFA. Please pray about how you can get involved, and if you know you can't contribute financially please share this need with your friends!

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement that has brought me this far and will carry me through till the end!

If you have decided to join me on this adventure by supporting me on a monthly basis, please visit the TeachBeyond website for instructions on how to get started.

 

The Challenge Ends!

The 30-Day Spare Change Challenge officially ends tomorrow! If you have been saving up your spare change, thank you so much for your willingness to support me and the work that I do at BFA. One family in Greencastle has already given me their coin jar, so I went ahead and took that plus another cash gift to the bank, but I ran into a problem in that the tellers wouldn't take coins that weren't rolled. I was a bit surprised (it's been so long since I have actually interacted with American bank tellers) because the German banks will take anything - even other currencies! So, here are a few suggestions in case you have been saving up your coins for the challenge and plan to head to the bank tomorrow.

{1} If you have enough coins to roll, you might want to do this before going to the bank. If you need wrappers, most banks will provide them free of charge.

{2} If you don't have enough to roll and the bank won't accept it, try Coinstar. They have coin counting machines in many grocery stores that count your coins and give you a voucher which you cash in at the register. Be aware that there is a fee of approximately 10% (9.8 cents per dollar) to utilize this service.

{3} After you've totaled it up, make your check out to TeachBeyond and mail it with this form to:

TeachBeyond

PO Box 6248

Bloomingdale, IL 60108

*Be sure to note on your form that your gift is specifically for the ministry of Rachel Bertschi.

{4} Don't let the fun stop here! If you are looking for a way to introduce your children to supporting missions, you can have them fill up their jar each month and then write the check for them.

Again, thank you so much for your willingness to support me and the work that I do at BFA. If you have been collecting coins this month, I hope you have enjoyed seeing the jar fill and knowing that you are a blessing to me!

50 states of support: week two update

You may remember last week I noted that I would need to locate 12 new monthly supporters per week in order to meet my goal of being fully funded by August 6. Unfortunately this week has not brought with it any new monthly supporters. I have been in contact with several old friends, coworkers, etc. and asked them specifically to consider joining my team, but so far have not received a yes or no from anyone. Waiting for an answer is excruciating, but God is teaching me patience right now.

Please prayerfully consider how you can become a part of the ministry at BFA today by partnering with me financially.

five things friday

I'm so excited to be in Greencastle, Indiana this weekend visiting good friends and sharing about my year at BFA with the Lifebuilder Community Church!! Here are five things that are on my mind right now.

{1}

This week my mom and I attempted to make the short version of this dress. The tutorial makes it look super simple, and for the most part it was. We just couldn't get the elastic thread to cooperate, so we improvised. Now that we've figured out our own tricks, we hope to bust out a few more of these in different colors before I head back to Germany!

{2}

Sesame Street has spoofed Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe with the Cookie Monster. I can't stop singing this song. (Email subscribers may need to click on the title of this post to view the video)

{3}

Speaking of cookies, Happy Birthday, Oreo. If you like birthday cake and Oreos, you will love these special edition Oreos celebrating the cookie's 100th birthday! They are super yummy, and my pack was gone within two days. Don't worry, I shared!!

source

{4}

The game Zug um Zug (Ticket to Ride in English) is one of my new (within the last few years) favorite games. Alot of people think board games are boring, and I will agree - most American board games are boring because all you do is roll the dice and go in circles around the board. Europe sort of has us beat in that area. When playing Zug um Zug, no two games are ever the same, and there are expansion packs available to add even more variety! It's a strategy game with only a litle bit of the "luck of the draw" tossed in. My family now has the Europe, USA, Asia, India, and Switzerland maps and we have been playing a LOT this summer. If you're a local reader, you should come over and play with us sometime. :)

the Swiss map

 

{5}

Support raising continues to be a slow process. I know God is working and moving in people's hearts to generate generosity, and I know He is reminding me to trust in HIM rather than myself. Resting in peace is a daily choice, as I have always struggled with anxiety and the uncertainty of the next few weeks isn't helping. Just two days ago my mom commented on how much hair I'd lost in the shower - a physical indicator of just how stressed I truly am. I do not believe that God would call me to this ministry and then frustrate me by withholding the resources necessary for me to serve. Please continue to pray for me to find the people who will partner with me financially this year!

coffee cupdate

If we were to sit down for a cup of coffee I'd have a lot to tell you.
I would probably start by gushing over how awesome my packrat grandpa is for having this gorgeous "vintage" sewing machine in his attic. When he heard about my sad sewing machine saga from Saturday, he went upstairs and emerged with this beauty. It's over thirty years old and in fabulous condition...and I was like a kid at Christmas when he brought it over yesterday!

I would tell you that I am getting really nervous because there is officially less than a month until my scheduled return flight to Germany, and I am still very VERY far away from having the support required to return. I would ask you if you would be willing to support me on a monthly basis, and I would ask you if you know anyone else who I could ask to join me in this leap of faith.

I'd tell you all about my new addiction, SweetFrog frozen yogurt. I'd laugh as I recalled our first visit to the brand new store, where the line wrapped all the way around the inside of the store and I was so excited to try all the flavors that by the time I made it through the line I'd ended up with NINE different flavors in my cup! I'd assure you that now that I've tried all the flavors that interested me, I'd stick with a small cup and less than three flavors at a time from now on.

I would confess that I wish there were more poeple my age to spend time with when I am "home" in Ohio. The girls I grew up with have all gotten married and moved away, and high school friends are nowhere to be found. I'd wonder aloud if I missed the memo to move out of Ohio and then remember that I moved to Germany and that my lonely summers are just that - lonely summers. I'd tell you how excited I am to get back to Germany, see my friends, and feel in my element again.

What would you tell me today?

50 states of support: UPDATE

This week two families stepped up and committed to becoming monthly partners with me at BFA. I am so thankful for their generosity and also for their obedience to God. I truly believe He will bless them abundantly because of their faithfulness to Him. Maryland and Washington are on the map!!

There are only FOUR weeks left until my scheduled departure date. In order to leave on time I MUST reach 100% of my monthly funding needs. TeachBeyond will not release me to fly until that has happened. That means I need to find at least 12 new individuals or families a week committed to supporting the work that I do at BFA, in order to fill in the other 48 states.

Your state could be next! If you've been thinking about giving, please don't wait any longer. Sign up to give monthly in any amount so that I can return to Germany and continue serving in my role at the middle school this fall.

according to what one has

source

About a month or so ago, I was Skyping with a friend and sharing the burdens that were on my heart. I was overwhelmed by the responsibilities that the end of the year brought, including packing up my apartment and moving before I could fly back to America. I was stressed by my empty support account and at a total loss as to where the money would come from or whether I would be able to pay the next month's rent. I was basically throwing myself a pity party and worrying rather than taking my requests to the Lord.

Towards the end of the conversation this friend encouraged me so matter-of-factly that I felt like I had been hit in the gut. He said, "It's really easy to focus on all the things you don't have, but right now you need to remember all the things you do have."
Uh, yeah.
I was on the verge of completing my THIRD year of teaching at Black Forest Academy, made possible by THREE years of faithful support by friends and family. I had the privilege of calling Germany my home for THREE beautiful, adventurous, priceless years during which I had countless opportunities to speak truth into the lives of my precious students.

And yet there I was, stressing about paying rent.

Today I came across 2 Corinthians 8:12, which says, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have."

There are a few things that jump out to me when I read this verse. First, the fact that God desires a willing heart. Not a grudging, obligated, resentful, or guilty heart. Just a willing heart.

Second, that the gift is in proportion to what one DOES have, not to what one does NOT have.

I am willing to serve God no matter where He places me. Three years ago I was willing to move halfway around the world to teach even though it meant I would not have my friends and family close by. I would not have the luxury of speaking English to my neighbors and I would not have the convenience of a Wal-Mart down the street. I was willing to teach classes that I had absolutely NO training whatsoever to teach. But I DID have a willing heart and a degree in education, and God has used that obedient offering to make Himself known to me and to my students.

I don't know what my future holds, but I do know that as long as I am willing to give everything to God, He will take care of the details.

So what about you? Are you willing? Are you willing to commit to support the ministry of Black Forest Academy but worried about what you don't have? Be encouraged today by the words of 2 Corinthians 8:12, and ask God to show you what you do have.

If you are willing to partner with me financially to support the ministry of Black Forest Academy, I am looking for both monthly and one-time financial gifts. Please visit the TeachBeyond website for more information and email me {bertschirae(at)gmail(dot)com} with any questions you still have.