And They're Off!

Meredith (11th), Evan (8th) and Ethan (3rd) on the morning of their first day of school.

Already bored with what they know will be a day filled with Dad pointing the camera at them and their friends!

And here are the rest of "our kids".

Seniors taking part in the annual flag parade for the opening ceremonies of the school year:

Our students' families serve in over 50 different countries across the globe.

Lots of meeting, greeting and joyful reunions filled the morning.

And then there were the tearful goodbyes that always break my mother's heart, but at the same time strengthen my resolve to serve these kids to the best of my ability. Please pray for these families who are feeling deeply the sacrifices they make by serving God. We all make sacrifices to follow Christ...it just seems that some have harder ones to bear.

It was a busy day in the library as well. Students came to check out their textbooks for the year. Oh the joys of school...better them than me!

This next picture just thrills my heart - NOT! Mark was leading the sophomores in an ice breaker game and asked the kids to line up according to how many books they read this summer. Just look at the number they're forming with their hands!



Here's a video clip from the day as well. I hope to be able to capture on video some of the magic of BFA. Enjoy the reunions, country roll call and the excitement of the first day of school (please forgive my poor video skills...hopefully I'll get better). Pay close attention to the response when USA is called out. We find it interesting that even though most of these kids who hold US passports but have never lived there still delight in being an American.

Until next time...
In peace,
Susan, Mark and kids

"Enough with the pictures, Dad!"