Saturday Night - Pizza Night

Every Saturday night is Pizza night. Sometimes we invite staff, sometimes students. Here's the group from last night, all nine of them.

Merrit, Phil, Ginny and Erin David, Brandon, Kingsley, Serge, Alyssa.

These are the just some of the things we'll miss.

Senior Class Trip to Rome - Venice

You can't do Italy without making a stop in Venice (Venezia). The trip was saddened by the news that the Phillies lost all three games, but I'll get over it soon. The day was overcast, but that was better than the heat we've experienced here in the past.

It's a shame that the canals are filthy, but there is still the mystery of the city that floats.

At the end of a long day, which was the end of a long trip, we all sat down to enjoy a concert performed by the Interpreti Venezians. They made Vivaldi's Four Seasons come alive. We boarded the bus one final time at midnight and returned to BFA by 8:45 a.m. the next day. What a trip, what a great group of kids!!!!

Senior Class Trip - Rome Day 4 & 5

Day 4 we spent as a day off from touring the city. The kids hung out, swam and watched another glorious sunset. We then went out for dinner, Italian style, a full 6 courses.
One final class photo at Osteo Antica before we head off to Venezia, then home.

Senior Class Trip - Rome Day 3

No trip to Rome would be complete without a tour of the Coliseum. Every year Mario Bruno, missionary to Rome and friend of BFA, gives us an outstanding understanding of the history of the Coliseum and the Forum.

On the steps of the Victory Monuments are Deb, Christine, JyHae, Bekkah, Katie and Bill. All great kids. We will miss them all very much in a few months.

Late afternoon shot of the Coliseum.
Here's the Forum where Paul gave witness to Jesus Christ and where I'm standing is where tradition has it that Paul and Peter were imprisoned before their execution.

Senior Class Trip - Rome Day 2

Day 2 took us on a walking tour past the Pantheon (above), Trevy fountain and other neat sites. We were able to return to the hotel early enough for the kids to swim in the Meditterranean as the sun went down.
We had our own little cove.

Senior Class Trip - Rome Day 1

After spending a day in Florence, we then head off further south to Rome (Roma) for five days. Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos I saved.

We waited in this line for 2.5 hours to get into the Vatican. It seems criminal that the RCC has some of the world's greatest art treasures locked up here and cannot manage crowds enabling more to see the works.

One of Deb's favorite shots every time we visit the Vatican museum.
Here's a photo taken of Rome from the top of te dome at Saint Peter's Basilica.

Lunch with our friends Mike and Loralee Hill. There home supporting church is Hershey EFree.

Senior Class Trip to Rome - Florence

We stop for 8 hours in Florence (Firenze) on the way to Rome, so the bus drivers can sleep. While there, we visit the Academia, where Michealangelo's "David" can be seen. Unfortunately, they do not let anyone take pictures these days.

This shot of the Arno river in Florence was the clearest we've seen in the three times we've been there. I am standing on the famous Ponte Vecchio as I took the picture.

Deb loves this shot as an exmple of symmetry. I tries to get the sculler to move over a few feet for my camera, but I guess he didn't understand my italian. Just joking, of course.

Hundreds of mopeds and scooters line the streets.

Anyone for gelati? Some of the best in Italy is in Firenze.

Quick Ride in Switzerland

Here are just a few shots of our latest ride across the border to Switzerland. The cycle is up for sale, so we'd better se it while we can.

This is the town of Rheinfelden that borders Germany and Switzerland as it sits on both sides of the Rhein river.

Steve and Renee Grubb have been cycles buddies for Debby and me since they arrived in Kandern. We now welcome them to the Yamaha family with his latest purchase.

Our Baby's Engaged

The proposal !!!
I guess she said "Yes". Look at that contentment...aaaaahhhhhh !!!

Glorious Late Summer Sunsets !!!!!

There has to be clouds for great sunsets.
The fall brings us some of the most spectacular sunsets our bathroom window can behold.

First Sunny Day Back - What a Ride !!!

We're still getting over jetlag and one of the best ways to appreciate being back is to go for a ride. This one was to the Alsace region of France, which is only 30 minutes from our house in Kandern.This is Hartmanswillerkopf, also know in french as Vieil Armand. "All Quiet on the Western Front" was written about this spot where the French and Germans stood face to face in the trenches for years, battling it out. Sometimes the trenches are less than 20 feet apart. Meeting their enemies over Christmas holidays, they'd eat and sing together. Then it's over and back to fighting them.Hundreds died here. Jeff and Jason loved to explore the bunkers, caves and old hideouts when they lived here with us.

Can you read French or German? Zoom in to read the story.

Isn't she one mean looking chick?

Don't get too close, you'll see the bugs in our teeth.

The Big Summer Event - Jeff & Sarah

Here they are, the pictures you've been asking for. And these are only a few, I think we kept about 500, plus videos of the reception. Feel free to download and print, or whatever.

What a day !!! What a summer !!!

The happiest couple in the world and their kids.

Pray that they keep their eyes heavenward. Is that manna ???

What is that man doing up there? He's not licensed !!!
Heather, Dad, Mom, Jeff, Sarah, Deb's Folks, Jason

Is this "Men in Black" or "Bond and the Boys"?
While mom is off with the Bride getting ready, we snapped this one.

Precious time of prayer before the big event.

Jason Graduates from Williamson

Here he is.....walking the line after three long, hard years of work.
Jason standing with the head of the machinists program.
Even grandmom and grandpop made it.
Here's Jason with the school's chaplain and long time family friend Rev. Mark Specht.
And finally, mom made it all the way from Germany. What a wonderful day !!!

Congratulations Jason, we love you and are so proud of you.

Another BFA Grad, but from the Coast Guard Academy

Micah Gentile, a BFA alumni, was privileged to receive his diploma from the top. We've seen 4 Gentile kids graduate from BFA over the years as well as many others whose parents have been faithfully serving the Lord here in Europe. Micah's parents worked for Campus Crusade for years. His sister Bethany graduated with our son Jeff, and his brother Josh graduated with Jason.

BFA Graduation 2007

It was my privilege to hand out 73 diplomas this year and watch each graduate walk across the stage smiling for moms and dads from all over Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

This particular graduate is Luke Shuman, son of our Director Tim. Tim is on my right and Mark Wiebe, the board chairman, is on my left. The three of us are in an accountability group that meets every Thursday morning. Great guys !!!

Having completed 12 years of service at BFA this year, Luke and another student Timo, mark a milestone for Debby and me, in that we were there as they both entered 1st grade 12 years ago.

For more shots of grad day check Tim's Blog at : www.timandsandee.blogspot.com

Sophomores in Strasbourg

Climbing to the top of Strasbourg's Notre Dame cathedral. What a neat view from the bell tower.

56 sophomores and their class sponsors spent the day walking around the canals of Strasbourg.

Junior Senior Banquet

As always, this year's JSB was a great time for our BFA seniors. The juniors hold fudraisers every year to pay for a banquet where they honor the seniors.