Tot Ziens, Belgïe . . . Guten Tag, Deutschland!
Our transition from Belgium to Germany is almost complete. As per our last update, at the end of June we picked up part-time jobs at Ramstein AFB in Germany in order to continue doing military youth ministry in Europe.
Josh has been working in the BX (Base Exchange) as a warehouse stocker, but has recently made the switch to Service Credit Union as a part-time Member Services Representative. Meagan is working in Customer Service at the BX. Both of our jobs provide logistics (base access and legal status within our host country), which allows us to continue living overseas while Club Beyond navigates the transition from contracted to non-contracted military youth ministry.
In the Young Life Military/Club Beyond world, the organization is moving to an NFE (Non-Federal Entity) model in which we will be able to continue doing ministry with overseas military teens without a contract. Once we are approved to continue ministry as a recognized NFE organization, we will be stepping into Kaiserslautern High School (one of the two on-base high schools in our area) to continue working with military teens. This area is one of the largest concentrations of American military families outside of the US—4,000 military teens—and we’re praying for clearance to resume ministry sometime this fall.
At the beginning of July, we found ourselves back in house-hunting mode. Since we had to begin our part-time jobs right away to keep our military IDs after the Club Beyond contract ended, we lived with gracious staff friends for several weeks until we found our new home: an apartment in the middle of the village of Ramstein, just a few minutes away from the AFB. Here are some things we love about living in Germany so far:
- Everything is less expensive than in Belgium, from rent to groceries.
- Many of our Club Beyond staff friends are close enough to have regular fellowship.
- More sunshine!
- Spaghetti-eis: an ice cream treat made to look like a bowl of spaghetti. Very popular in Germany and one of Josh’s favorite treats.
- The many resources that come with a large base, such as a movie theater, Dunkin’ Doughnuts, and a massive commissary with a year-round supply of canned pumpkin.
- Decent Tex-Mex restaurants. Or would it be Ger-Mex?
We can’t wait to start getting to know the students at Kaiserslautern High School, but as we wait for official approval to continue youth ministry, we’re focusing our energy into adjusting to our new community and current lifestyle. It’s been emotionally draining to step into this season of tent-making, but we know our efforts will be worth it once we are able to continue ministry.
Please pray for:
- Our spiritual, emotional, and physical health during this difficult season.
- Young Life Military/Club Beyond staff members around the world, especially those with us overseas.
- Wisdom and guidance for Club Beyond leadership.
- The hearts of the students and families in our area that we will be building relationships with over the fall semester.
- Students in Brussels as they begin the school year without Club Beyond.
- Peace with our new tent-making jobs.