Opening Ceremonies

My morning devotional started, "Entrust your loved ones to Me..." Again, God spoke to my heart about my children and grandchildren whom I miss so much.  But as we walked and prayed later I realized that He also means that for missionaries who bring their children to BFA and have to leave them here to minister where they are called.  What a timely message for me as I prepared to attend Opening Ceremonies at Black Forest Academy, something I've been awaiting for at least two years.

Third Culture Kids, the students who attend BFA, have lived out of their parents' passport countries for a significant period of time.  They typically have lived in a number of places, and always seem to be saying goodbye.  While the positive side of being a TCK is huge, the losses and pains are great, too.  As a result, they need opportunities to celebrate accomplishments, and times of tradition which honor their uniqueness.

Opening Ceremonies did just that today.  For 90 minutes the community of BFA celebrated the beginning of a new school year with traditions.  The palpable energy of the seniors filled the courtyard as they found each country flag.  The auditorium filled with parents and younger students, all waiting for the entrance of the seniors, the faculty, and the res life staff.

First the dorm parents and the resident assistants entered to cheers and applause.  And then the same thing happened for the faculty.  I have never felt so appreciated as a teacher as I did today walking into a hall of four hundred cheering, applauding parents and students!  Last the seniors entered with their 50 plus country flags.  I was most touched by the young man who carried the flag of Kenya.  He had  attended Rift Valley Academy in Kenya every year until now.  Through circumstances neither he nor his parents planned, he will graduate from BFA.  The students crossed the stage, gave up their flags and sat down.  The cheers were deafening.  Those seniors, some who have been at BFA their entire school life, have waited for this moment much longer than I!

The charge to the seniors, faculty, and dorm staff called each of us to be examples worthy of following.  And then one of the teachers called roll-the Roll Call of the Nations.  She read 53 different country names, asking those who had passports, parents had passports,  or had lived in that country to rise, then sit down again.  The boy next to me, a 7th grader, rose and cheered for at least 3, possibly 4, different countries.  Almost everyone in the hall rose and cheered for the US.  What an amazing demonstration of how mobile these students are, and how resilient.  They embraced each country they represented.  Overwhelming.  Each portion of the ceremony honored the lives of all the TCKs and their parents.

We ended with the Director's message, introduction of the class of 2023 (the first graders!) and a prayer. Then off to three campuses and many classrooms.  I cherish the celebration of Opening Ceremonies at BFA, and I am awed that God would call me here to be a part; thankful that I can support these parents whose children they are entrusting to God.