High School Retreat

Here is a summary of the 4 sessions at retreat by speaker Lina Abujamra:

Session 1: What I wish I had known about my shame (John 4) The Woman at the Well

-Shame is felt by everyone
-the easiest way to cope with shame is to hide
- the only way to overcome shame is to let Jesus take it
-freedom is contagious

Lina shared the story of Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well. She shared stories of her work as a Pediatric ER doctor.

Session 2: What you cannot afford to miss (John 13) Judas Iscariot

-There's a Judas in every group
-you can fool everyone around you into thinking you believe- don't fool yourself as well!
-you can give your whole life away and gain nothing when you value the wrong thing
-you can become so hopeless that you see no way out

We looked at the story of Judas and how he rejected the grace offered to him

Session 3: What my failure teaches me (John 18) Simon Peter

-My failure hurts and it's okay to admit it
-My failure shows who I am/diagnoses my true heart condition
-My failure is my pathway to breakthrough- failure will not destroy us
-God uses my failure to redirect my calling
-My failure is part of my past and my future is waiting to happen

Session 4: 4 Things I dream for You (John 11) Mary and Martha and Lazarus

-Never confuse God's delays with his denials. Waiting is the space that God grows your trust.
-Refuse to settle for doubt when faith is in your grasp.
-Risk moving the stone away. No matter how foolish it seems, you don't have to have all the answers.
-Live a life of extravagant worship all the time.

Challenging Students' Views

I work at a Christian high school. I would be naive to believe my students somehow all share the same beliefs. But I too was a Christian in high school, and my beliefs have changed and matured since then. Part of my mission in serving at this high school is to challenge these students to see the world differently than they have before, or differently than they have been taught. Today I shared this TED talk with a group of them.

Dylan Marron is someone whose political views and lifestyle are very different that what my students are used to. If they are different than yours, watch this with an open mind: What Dylan has to say, regardless of his political opinions, is true. I believe this, and respect him. The respect that he has for those who speak ill of him is admirable.

Here are the questions I challenged my students with and now challenge you:

1. How do you respond to people who disagree with you?

   - In person?

   - Online?

Is there a difference? Why?

2. How would (do you) respond to online negativity or bullying?

3. "Empathy is not endorsement." What does he mean? How could this talk change someone's perspective?

4. Which person's response is the most Christ-like?

A New View

I just finished moving into a new apartment.There's still unpacking to do, but here are a few pictures of the new space!

This is the view from outside. That big window is in my entryway.

My front door!

Bathroom. Not much more to say there.

The kitchen is recently redone, but it lacks storage space, so I'll be looking to add some more shelving. Pardon the mess!

One of my favorite features is this deep window sill! This is my roommate's room, so I hope she doesn't mind! You can see the fire station outside.

I still need somewhere to store the blankets, but here is a little sitting area flooded with natural light.

My bedroom, complete with twinkle lights!

Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour! Come and visit anytime. My current location is only a three minute walk from school! I'm excited for the adventures to come in my new home.

Let me know if you'd like my new address!

Arise and Share in the Father's Joy

This week we have chapel every morning, as opposed to only Fridays. We have a guest speaker and worship band visiting us, for what we call Spiritual Emphasis Week. The speaker and band leader are both graduates of BFA, so they can relate well to our students. The speaker, Andi, has taken our theme, Arise, and daily shared through the scriptures what that means. On Tuesday he encouraged us to look again at the parable of the Prodigal, in Luke 15. How many sons are in the story? The younger brother gets all the attention, because he seemingly does the more horrible thing. "Dad, I wish you weren't here. Give me the stuff that I'll get when you die. Give it to me now." When he works up the courage to return, he plans to earn his way back. "Make me a hired servant in your house." But the older brother actually does something similar. When the younger returns, the older refuses to feast with everyone. He is mad that his Dad killed the fattened calf, which belongs to him! Because he too received his inheritance, he sees his brother returning as a threat to that inheritance. "Now that brother is back, that means I get less stuff!" So he is also saying to his father, "I don't want you here. I want the stuff you own." And this brother is not reconciled to the father. Jesus ends the story there, as though to ask his listeners, the Pharisees, will you come in? I am already eating with the younger brother, the tax collectors and sinners, and you're invited as well. Will you join with us?

The church I attend, Calvary Chapel Kandertal, is in need of a worship leader. Up until last week, we were listening to and singing along with YouTube worship songs. Last Sunday, I, my roommate Emily, and a BFA student, led live worship for the growing church. We plan to do so again this coming week. I really just had fun with this. We're singing songs in German and in English, I'm trying to choose songs that people already know, or can figure out quickly, but my goal is really to find worship that reflects the glory of God and fits well with the message that Pastor Frank brings. Please pray for me as I choose worship songs, pray for the team as we practice, and for God to raise up a permanent worship leader!

I ask that you also pray for the child of some of my dear friends here. His name is Broden. He is only 9 months old, and has been in the hospital since Saturday. The doctors believe there may be neurological problems, but all tests thus far have been inconclusive. Here is the most recent update from his parents, Lauren and Adam: "Broden Update #4: We are so thankful that an MRI has been scheduled for this coming Friday. In the meantime, we will remain in the hospital. We are hoping and praying that this test will reveal the issue so further action can be taken. They have also taken additional blood and urine samples in order to test for additional abnormalities. Please especially pray for us on Friday as Broden will be put under anesthesia for the MRI. Please also pray that results will determine the underlying cause for all of his issues. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!"

4 weeks later...

Are you ever driving, when you suddenly look at the speedometer and realize you're going 90 mph? You ease off the gas pedal until you return to a normal speed. Or you slam on the brakes when you see a state trooper waiting a 1/4 mile ahead.
This summer was that moment for me. Except I realized I was driving 100 mph with my eyes closed. Don't worry, this is a metaphor. Once I had a chance to stop, rest, and reflect this summer, the magnitude of my busyness swept past me at an alarming speed. Here at BFA, we often say that the first year of service is like drinking from a fire hose. So much information and responsibility is thrown at you for so long, it starts to feel normal. This summer, my supply of busyness was abruptly cut off, and it was then that I realized how busy I had been.
Don't get me wrong, it was a great summer. Reconnecting with churches, supporters, family, and friends. Not your typical summer vacation. But there were so many moments of peace and rest. Here are a few:

Boston with Clare and Emily, roommates and besties from Wheaton. Both have recently moved to Boston, which is only a seven hour drive from Rochester, so of course I had to go and visit. We wandered the Liberty trail, showed Clare her first Fife and Drum Corps, attempted to avoid the many tourists, and cooked a delightful dinner together in Emily's apartment, above a horse barn.

Ocean view in Plymouth, MA with Naomi, Rachel (cousins), Dad, and Anna. My parents and sister actually joined me for this trip to Boston, and stayed with family in the area. I've flown over the Atlantic recently, but haven't stuck my toes in it for some time. It's cold!

Babysitting Faith's darling twins. These cuties were born last November, so I had not yet had a chance to meet them. So I volunteered to watch them while Faith worked! Spent some fun time in the pool with their big brother, as well.

Quick overnight stop in Pittsburgh with Anna and Katie! Anna and I drove out to Wheaton for two weeks, but Pittsburgh is (kind of) on the way, so we stopped there for the night. Katie was in the same study abroad program as me in Munich two years ago. It was wonderful to see her again!

Exploring Chicago with Emily and Abbie. This day was rather impromptu (from my perspective) since I was invited to tag along that morning. But thank you both so much for including me! We visited the Museum of Mexican Art, found a cozy bookshop, and ate amazing Puerto Rican food.

Dreams coming true: seeing Hamilton, courtesy of Xander and Abbie. I still can't believe that happened. Go and buy your own tickets! Now!

Hiking in Stony Brook State Park (NY) with Sarah and Andrew. Picnicking and hiking go hand in hand. Plus, I miss the amazing river gorges of New York State. Perfect Saturday activity.

Salvatore's pizza with Josh, a random Appalachian mountain man. (Just kidding, he's my cousin.) Josh has been hiking the Appalachian trail for a few months, and he was about 4 hours away, so he decided to hop on a bus and meet us in Rochester! This was less than 24 hours before I left for Germany.

By no means did I take pictures with everyone. This is just a sampling of the many people who made the summer a restful and successful one. Thank you for the love and care you showed me!

Now that I'm back, it's time to slam on the gas, and go full speed ahead!

All the 2017-2018 BFA staff.

Gratitude as a Guest

We always automatically “grade” our hosts. It’s why online reviews and sites like Yelp exist. But how often do you consider whether or not you were a good guest?

Each culture has a different response the the guest/host dynamic, and each of us are taught to engage in that relationship differently by our parents (or other influential people). So, I’m curious: how do you act as a gracious guest, and how do you expect your guests to behave?

The popular Disney movie The Beauty and the Beast would suggest that in order to be a guest, one must just simply be. “Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test!” Belle is encouraged to sit and be served. In some places, this is the expectation. Full service restaurants, for example. But is that the expectation in someone’s home?

The biblical story of Mary and Martha having Jesus as a guest in Luke 10 reveals a harried Martha struggling to prepare every aspect of a meal for Jesus and his disciples. She snaps at Mary for simply spending time with their guest, and learning from the God of the universe. Jesus didn’t offer to help with the meal, or set the table. Instead, he offered wisdom and teaching, hoping Mary and Martha would listen. The meal does have to end up on the table somehow, though. So where do we find this balance?

I think fondly of family gatherings at my grandparents’ home. Family members arrive throughout the morning of a holiday and bring various dishes. Conversation flows throughout every room in that dear house as salad is made, bread is sliced, the table is set, and even more family members arrive. Everyone contributes to both culinary and conversational delights.

I also think of my dear friends who host a group of young women every Monday and Friday evening. We arrive sometime around dinner, where we find that everything already smells delicious. We don’t have to bring anything, though we often help set the table. All that is expected is that we rest and enjoy the company of the group.

There isn’t one specific way to be a good guest. Instead, there are many different ways to be a great one. Show gratitude and humility. Offering to help, especially if you sense that your host feels overwhelmed.


This past weekend, I visited a friend in Brussels, and stayed at her home. She already had quite a busy weekend planned, and I was grateful for her hospitality in spite of that. Enjoy the pictures of Brussels!

Le Grande Place (main square) in Brussels.

Lizzy and I exploring Brussels!

On Sunday morning, Abriel ran a 20k, ending under this beautiful archway. We went to cheer her on at the finish line after church.

Abriel (center left) was our host for the weekend! She and her financé David are getting married in July.

Relaxing in a serene park after the 20k.

Romania Service Trip

8. April
Oradea/Tinca, Romania

God, thank you for our safe arrival. Please give me strength to get through today on little sleep. I don't understand why I couldn't sleep, but you are already holding me. Help me to lean on you.

This was the first full day in Romania. We jumped right in with the hardest work we would do all week. In just one day we dug a trench (70m x 30cm x 40cm) for a new fence, carted away all the clay from that trench, spread topsoil over a good portion of their yard to level it out. All while it steadily drizzled rain over us. We were muddy and cold and sore by the end. Add to that, I can never sleep the first night in a new place, so I'm pretty sure I was running on < 1 hour of sleep. Talk about relying on God for everything.

9. April

Despite overwhelming physical discomfort and exhaustion, I will rely on you Lord. I pray that I can be effective, even if I don't feel up to the work we are doing. You can work through my muscles, and be my energy. All the same, I pray that I would know my physical limits and not try to do more than I physically can accomplish.
I don't know whether I have the energy to do the outreach, but I pray that you will work through us and help us to make the decision, so that our team will not feel burned out. 

The next day was Sunday, which was not a workday, but I still felt the effects of little sleep and very sore muscles. Our team split into 3 groups to visit 3 churches in nearby towns with Roma communities. My group actually attended a Hungarian church. And our translator spoke Hungarian and German. Which meant that I became the German-English translator for the non-German speaker on our team. I don't think I ever listened so carefully to a sermon before!

After church, all three groups met up again for lunch and shared experiences and impressions. Clint, our trip leader, shared with us the opportunity to hold an outreach later in the week with the Roma community where we were working (Tinca). He shared this opportunity first with the leaders. If we as leaders didn't feel up to planning such an event, there was no way we could motivate the students to participate as well. That day, I did not particularly feel motivated myself to plan and pull off something so ambitious, especially during an evening after a full day of labor. Good thing God was in control, and not me.

Stay tuned for part II. Coming soon!