Bekah's Visit

The second week of Spring Break, my best friend and soon to be sister-in-law came to visit me for a week. It was a refreshing, relaxing day - brought truly the vacation I needed for a little bit before the girls came back. Here are some pictures from that visit.






Pondering life in the little town of Wittlingen














Best Friends in Basel - me and Bekah!














Tulips are everywhere! These are in Colmar.

Bek and I enjoyed time at some outdoor cafes

thoughts of the week

Much has happened since the end of Spring Break. It already feels like I have been here for a few weeks - yet it has not even been an entire week here. Most of the girls arrived on Monday, both before and after the Staff Breakfast (which was full of almost too much information). It was a very odd day of getting into the swing of things again. We immediately went into the week as the girls were bombarded with homework. Wednesday night we had a memorial service for Anna Pearl Dredge - all staff at Witt and 17 of the girls went to the service - which was a very emotional time but a chance to show our support and attempted comfort of Sarah and Matt Dredge and the family. A few of my girls were emotionally hit by the tragic situation. Sarah and Matt have been an awesome witness of continuing to believe in God's goodness despite it all.

Thursday it was back to normal shopping and we celebrated one of my freshman's birthdays - twas quite fun. Friday I helped drive the Sophomores of BFA to McDonald's and bowling for their class party - it was an adventure but quite fun - I really enjoyed having some good time with my girls. Yesterday I had some of my Korean girls make me Korean food which was delicious - I even attempted chop sticks (so funny to watch!). We as a dorm have a new Kareoke Machine so we used that last night with the few who weren't at track and soccer - the big sports of the seasons. Tonight we are going to have a cookout on the ridge with hot dogs and s'mores - it is a gorgeous day to do such things. I am excited.

So that is just a glimpse of the busyness of life in May at Witt - it has only just begun. The many events yet to come will speed us along through the last months at BFA. It is incredible to think I will be leaving in about 7 weeks or so. I will finish, move home, ready to move again and plan a wedding, get married, honeymoon, and move to Indiana. I will need lots of prayer as I undertake these coming transitions and changes. I can't think of them all at once or else it is overwhelming. I have to take these things one week at a time. I do know I will for sure miss being here in beautiful Germany - the people here have a special place in my heart. I am so thankful to be here and am thankful to you who are used by God who helped me get here. Thank you for your prayers - your continued prayers are appreciated. Thanks so much!

some words from matt and sarah

Here is what Matt and Sarah wrote to everyone about Anna Pearl. I hope you appreciate their perspective. Thank you for your prayers - keep lifting them up! You all are a blessing!

Christine
--------------------

Dear Friends,
Anna Pearl is with Jesus now. We are sad and weary but thankful that the struggle is over. We miss her and love her very much.
"This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail - they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for HIm". The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.... For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is HIs unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:21ff
We have read these verses every day these past 2 weeks. We have learned what it means to wait quietly - knowing that our hope could not be in numbers on a monitor, urine in a tube, even the opinions of incredibly skilled doctors - our true hope can only be in Jesus. We trusted that whatever He chose to do would be the most loving thing - for Anna Pearl and for us. In the end we believe Jesus knew that the road ahead would have been too hard. We experienced tremendous miracles in these past 2 weeks and now the greatest of all is that Anna Pearl is whole.
We wish there were stronger words for 'thank you'. We cannot express our deep gratitude for the cardiologists and the nurses in Intensiv2 at the Freiburg Hospital. We would list names but are so afraid of forgetting someone. Everyone was so kind to us and so gentle with Anna Pearl. We saw true compassion and care and we know that it was hard for them as well.
We are also unable to express to everyone how much your prayers and pleadings and fastings and emails and comments and food and hugs and silences have meant to us. Anna Pearl was born into such a loving community and lived surrounded by luxurious amounts of love from everyone. We are so grateful.
we know the only way we have survived these past two weeks is the strong arms of Jesus under us - and the gentle surrounding of prayer.
Matt has sung all week... Blessed be the name of the Lord - He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away.
We are so glad He gave.
Please keep praying for us.
Matt and Sarah

anna pearl

Hello friends,
After coming home from a walk this evening, I arrived to find out some sad news. Anna Pearl is no longer with us on earth but now in heaven with the Lord. I didn't expect this news and my heart instantly broke for Matt and Sarah and all of their family at their loss. I can't imagine what they are going through right now. Thank you for lifting them up in prayer and I ask you to please continue Matt and Sarah up to heaven as they face this truly difficult time. The whole dorm will also be affected by this news and I don't know what will happen and how each boy, each RA, each dorm parent will be. Lift each one up as you pray today. I know God will and is working in this - even though we don't understand his ways.

Thank you for praying.
Blessings,
Christine

The following is the email I received concerning the death of Anna Pearl.
Dear BFA Family,
It is with great sadness of heart that we share with you that Anna Pearl Dredge passed away this evening sometime around 8:30pm Central European time. At this moment, we do not have any details to share about her passing or the coming arrangements. Those facts will follow once we know them.
For now, let's keep praying for Matt and Sarah and their family members during this very difficult time of loss. At this very moment, their beautiful daughter, Anna Pearl, is whole and well and with her Heavenly Father in heaven. While we grieve with the Dredges, we can also rejoice in Anna's special healing that came today.
For those here in Germany, please continue to wait on directions from Lane Young or Glenn Lewis on when and how to visit the family.
Tim Shuman
Director, BFA

latest...there is hope...keep praying

Hello BFA Family,
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for Anna Pearl, Matt and Sarah. After along day of waiting, the doctors finally took Anna up at 16:00 to begin the long process of weaning her off the machine which had been pumping, oxygenating and circulating her blood for her. At around 17:00 the machine was no longer doing this for her. The doctor came out for a brief moment to let us know this but did not hold out much hope. But to the surprise and delight of the medical staff, her heart was able to sustain these functions. It was, and still is very touch and go right now, as her heart is not beating fully but it is beating enough to keep her alive. The next hours and days are very critical but Matt and Sarah are thankful for the progress made thus far. Please continue to lift them up in prayer. I will try and keep you updated as much as possible.

Lane Young

Update on Anna Pearl

Pray for this little one.... The following is an update from the parents.







Dear Friends,
We wanted to update you on what is happening. Though there was improvement in Anna's conditions the other day there has not bee a lot more. It looks like tomorrow they will try to wean her off the machine. She cannot stay on the machine any longer she is so swollen and cannot take any more. Please be praying for her little heart and her organs during the next couple of days. It is now that we are are most leaning on God. There is nothing medically that can be done that is not being done. Please continue to pray for a miracle (Wünder in german).
Love,
Matt, Sarah and Anna Pearl
-----
Dear Friends,
We have just met with the Cardiologist and the Surgeon. They have told us that they will start taking Anna off the life support system between 12 and 1pm (6am and 7am eastern). It takes a couple of hours to wean her off the machine. The Doctors cannot give us any assurance about how it will go. It depends on how Anna heart responds. It has recovered some of its function this past week, but until they turn off the machine there is no knowing what will happen. Please be praying with us as this is happening. We are putting all of our trust in Jesus as there is nothing left for us to do. We are praying and hope for a miracle still. Below are some photos of Anna.
Love,
Matt, Sarah and Anna Pearl.

Some sights from Spain

Here I am in Madrid, Spain, next to a fast food, Kono Pizza place -they serve pizza in a cone - it is bizarre I tell you!










The palace in Madrid where many a king has lived - this is just a portion of it - there is a cathedral right next door which was fascinating to look in!








Walking down the streets of Madrid where pretty flowers bloomed on the trees - it's Spring!







Me, and my visitors/fellow travellers, Debbie, Pam, and Trish pose with Don Quixote and his sidekick - the author who wrote this book lives in Alcala de Henares where we stayed. His house is right behind us.








The streets of downtown Alcala de Henares
- these walls have been around since the 1500's - crazy ey?

Latest on Anna Pearl

I got this from the director of BFA - it is the latest news - pray!
Christine
----
Dear BFA Family,
It is Easter Monday here in Germany. I trust you had a meaningful Easter weekend remembering our Saviors' great love.
I am writing to you today to keep you informed of the family Dredge situation. Matt and Sarah continue to keep their vigil at Anna Pearl's bedside in the Freiburg hospital. Yesterday there seemed to be some positive signs in her condition, but those signs have not held very well. I wish I had better news for you, but at this point, things do not look good. Anna's heart is not responding as everyone had hoped it would and the Doctors are not sure how much longer she can remain on life support, see Matt's report from this morning below.
As you can imagine, this is an extremely hard time for the Dredge family. Matt's mother, and Sarah's mom and dad are all here and supporting as best they can. The family has requested no more visitors for the time being. All of their attention needs to be on their precious daughter. They know that you are praying for them and they want you to continue. If you want to you may go to Freiburg and pray in the hospital chapel that is nearby, but please understand their need to limit the visitors. Thank you for your understanding.
To the parents to BFA boarders, please keep your children informed as well. Please pray especially for the boys of the Sonnenhof dorm as Anna Pearl is like a little sister to them. There is still time for God to heal this little girl. Now is the time to pray. Thanks for your prayerful support.
Tim Shuman
Director, BFA
Dear Friends, We have just met with the Cardiologist and the Surgeon. They have told us that they will start taking Anna off the life support system between 12 and 1pm (6am and 7am eastern). It takes a couple of hours to wean her off the machine. The Doctors cannot give us any assurance about how it will go. It depends on how Anna heart responds. It has recovered some of its function this past week, but until they turn off the machine there is no knowing what will happen. Please be praying with us as this is happening. We are putting all of our trust in Jesus as there is nothing left for us to do. We are praying and hope for a miracle still. Love,Matt, Sarah and Anna Pearl.

Rest....

As I sit and reflect the past week and a half, I am filled with thankfulness. I am most thankful for those who have been praying for me so fervently - esp. as I dealt with constant activity when I was ready to just shut down and hibernate for a little while. I admit I didn't have the best attitude at the beginning of the ICEC conference - driving people back and forth and attending a conference that wasn't completely applicable didn't really thrill me. But God worked on my heart the first night of the conference and I was reminded once again that whining isn't going to get me anywhere and it doesn't glorify God one bit. So I sought to see what else God might want to do in the next week. What I found was refreshment amidst the exhaustion. I had 3 friends from NY visiting this week - starting during the conference until yesterday morning. They brought a fresh eye to this beautiful place that I live. It was fun to show them around - and I was able to find little opportunities to spend time with them during the conference. Some of the conference topics were very applicable - mostly about how God works in our weakness and how we need to trust him. (Always a good reminder). It was awesome hearing about what God is doing in countries all over the world- Romania, Africa etc. Some of the stories I heard lifted me out of my little bubble and reminded me that there is more in the world than BFA - harder situations that God is doing amazing things in. I learned of a new country - Azerbaijan, and got to know some people working their - so VERY different from Germany. Ultimately I am thankful for the chance to be involved with the conference, yet very glad to now have a full week of rest.

The rest of last week I spent with my NY friends Debbie, Tricia and Pamela (who I met for the first time this week). We went to Madrid for a couple days - so I was able to get out of the country which I very much needed. It is such a different culture down there - it was fascinating. I loved being their on Good Friday because when we went into various Cathedrals, I reflected on the death and resurrection of Christ and what that means for us as Christians. We were blessed by the Munro's - a missionary family there that we stayed with. They are ministering to the South Americans that have been immigrating to Spain - that was fascinating to learn about. The South Americans are being reached so they can reach out to the Spanish, which is a very hardened culture to Christianity. God is doing amazing things all over!!

My friends left yesterday after a great last day exploring Germany on Saturday. It was a blessing to have them visit - very much what I needed. I enjoyed the Easter service at church and a lovely lunch with my dorm mom and her boys. Today in a few minutes, I will go pick up my best friend Bekah who is coming to visit. She will be my sister in a few months! It is people like this that God useds to bring refreshment.

Thank you for praying for little Anna and her parents - continue to pray. I will keep you updated. I will post some pictures from my journey of last week soon! Until then, God bless!

Update on little Anna

God is Great and can do all things - keep praying - Christine

----

Dear Everyone,
We are glad to report that Anna´s kidneys have begun to work better and produce urine. The other hopeful news came this evening - that there is some improvement in her heart function. This improvement is slight but may indicate a response to the medication. The surgeon said that it was "some light" and that we should keep praying for healing. This we are doing! We so much appreciate and depend upon the continued prayers of you all. We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers - please continue - God is honoured.
Matt, Sarah & Anna

He is Risen!

I took this photo in Alcala de Henares, Spain and it is a good reflection of my thoughts this weekend as I am reminded of the beauty of the cross and how Christ came to save us who are lost. I praise him that we are free because of him dying for our sins and rising from the dead. Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Happy Resurrection Day friends!! Blessings to you on this day!

PRAY!

Here is a note from my friends Matt and Sarah about their baby - a little update on how things are going. All I can say is: PLEASE PRAY!!!!!

Christine


Dear friends,
We want to thank you so much for your prayers yesterday. We could feel your support. Anna's heart was not well enough to wean her off the life support machine. It does not seem to be responding to the medicine they are going to keep her on the machine until Monday or Tuesday unless it begins to cause more damage than it is helping. I (Matt) went though deep despair yesterday as we learned this news, but I did not completely despair because I do serve a God that loves me and Sarah and Anna Pearl more than we, and he is capable of miracles against all odds. That is what we are praying for now. There is no more medicine that they can give her, no more procedures that will help. It is completely in God's able hands. I would like to ask you to pray for this healing and for strength to be able to lean on God. I am going through some many different emotions all that all I can do is trust that God is in control. Pray that We have the faith to trust God.
Sincerely,
Matt, Sarah and Anna Pearl

Please Pray!!!

Hello Friends,
The following note is about fellow co-workers and RA's here at BFA that I know personally. Please pray for them as they face this troubling time. Thanks.
Christine

----------------
Anna Pearl, 3-month-old daughter of Matt and Sarah Dredge, JTM missionaries serving as dorm assistants at BFA was taken to the hospital on Sunday. Her heart stopped while in the clinic and she was revived after about 30 minutes of resuscitation efforts. Resulting damage is unknown at present. She is being monitored constantly in ICU with many tubes and electrodes attached. Anna was born with a heart condition but was doing fine after surgery a few days following her birth. On Thursday she had a cardiac catheter procedure done and it was observed that her veins were not growing normally.

Please pray for Anna and Matt and Sarah in this hour of need, that God’s peace may comfort them and that His perfect will may be accomplished.

Almost Spring Break

These last few days before the girls leave for Spring Break has been like running a marathon. Monday I was able to take a little break though and have a field trip with other RA's at BFA's Elementary school - Sitzenkirch - we had never been shown it before. It was fun playing tetherball and jump roping. Some of us enjoyed some ice cream at the EisCafe to celebrate the springlike weather. Tuesday hit and it was meetings and dorm clean. As a reward for a good dorm clean, we took the girls to Basel to the Starbucks there - it was good fun. Yesterday began the departures - I have already done 2 airport runs - 1 to pick up people from the conference that BFA is hosting this next week and I brought one of my girls to the airport at night. Now all the girls are gone except for a few. Though the girls leave, we as a staff won't fully have a break until next Wednesday - we are required to help drive people back and forth, do airport runs and help in the kitchen for the conference. Pray for us as we try to find the strength to make it until next Wednesday. It can be frustrating to be in need of a break, but to still have stuff to do. It will be an interesting experience, because people are coming from all over the world - just knowing how much energy we will have is the question. I am still recovering from being sick - still a little congested, so please pray for my healing soon. I am looking forward to having friends coming to visit this weekend and next - it will be good to see people outside of BFA. It is hard to believe that only 7 weeks of school will be left when Spring Break is over! It is flying by! So much is happening in this life of mine - I can only take it one day at a time with God's help. Anyway, that is a little synopsis on life here right now. Here are some pictures of the past few days:

Rachel and Kristi go to grade school again and jump rope!

Krista and I enjoy Italian Ice on a warm Spring Day

A hoard of Witt girls head to Starbucks

Yum - we like frappaccinos!

We RA's relax over coffee and play a game of MASH

Spa Night :)

Tonight, Witt girls did what we do best - relaxed w/ fun facials and hair treatments and watched lots of American Idol (it is quite the obsession over here thanks to Kristi's mom feeding us new episodes each week). We had good fun - enjoy a look at some of it! :)





Deborah is the glamor girl w/ a turban (do I see Sunset Blvd?)










Yummy - let's put this on our faces!











Cool Koreans Jessica and Hannah enjoy the goop









Relaxin and hoping our favorite contestants will stay









Yay American Idol!

Recent Happenings at Witt

Here are some pics of recent happenings at Witt - We did Kareoke last Saturday - I went hiking and saw an amazing sunset last Monday, and I hung out on Friday at Lauren's Bridal Shower - we are the 2 LBC grads/RA's that are engaged here in the Res Life Program - fun stuff! Enjoy the pics!





Jess and I enjoy a hike in a nearby forest ;)

Amazing German Sunset

Rachel and Tamara sing their hearts out!

Drea and Sean do a duet

Lauren and Christine - engaged and proud of it :)

This is what it has looked like in Wittlingen and the Kandern area this past week - constantly snowing! I keep waking up and it is still snowing - it melts and snows and melts and snows. The weather just cannot make up it's mind. Winter won the battle for this week - come back Spring, come back!! Will we be "snowed in" this weekend? We'll see!

first day of spring

Today was an unusual first day of spring. A battle between Spring and Winter ensued as snow fell to the ground - and then the sun shone through - and then snow and sleet came again - yet the ground did not accept it and made the snow melt. It was fascinating to watch this afternoon as a day that is supposed to be springlike was full of snow. It has stopped now - but I am thankful for the amusement that weather can bring on these busy days of March.

snow day

So, it is a snow day - a snow day in which we had snow - but not enough to make a mess of the roads but enough to give the school an excuse for a "morale" snow day (this is the only school I have ever worked/been at that has done this. Snow days come in a mixed bag - they are fun for the kids and teachers - a little bit more work for RA's and dorm parents since we have to be "on" all day. It can be an adventure. I am just thankful that I had off yesterday - a little break b/f being inundated with people for the next 24 hours. We are keeping study hours in place to make sure the kids don't watch movies the entire day. So yea that is my day today. We'll see how it goes.

I am feeling better this week as opposed to last week. I look forward to this cold to be completely gone. I am thankful that I can function better than before. Praise God for healing even if it comes slowly. Sickness can make morale much lower for staff and students - we are trying to boost it as we face this last week before Spring Break begins next week. You can pray for us as we try to get healthy and for energy amidst the tiredness.

We have tried to do some fun things to boost morale these past couple weeks. We showed a dorm video - the girls chipped in to make it - a reality tv show called "THE DORM" - it was very fun. We also had Dan and Jen get pizza from Dominos in France - they delivered it to the different rooms. I am glad for these fun ideas to help encourage all of us (staff and students).

So the 2 big prayer requests these days:

-Health - getting better from sickness
-Making it to Spring Break

I do praise God for the chance to get fabric for my wedding dress yesterday - I was able to afford it through the gift from my bridal shower that Res Life held for me recently. I am having a lady around here make the dress for me - I am very excited. Wedding plans are slowly coming along despite the distance. Jon and I have been able to talk about what marriage will be like and start adjusting to that as well. God is teaching us much these days. They aren't always the easiest of days but God is giving us strength each day.

Thanks for reading my thoughts of the day - pray for me as I balance wedding and dorm stuff - and just dealing with emotions and missing Jon, missing family - but knowing I am going to be missing people here too. One day at a time is how I must live my life. Thanks for your persistant prayers friends! God Bless!

more pictures from nurnburg

Here is another little final glimpse of time in Nurnburg! :) Enjoy...





My Small Group












Me and the Nurnburg Castle











My cool Freshmen Roomies :)










Flowers in the beginning of March










2 of my lovely girls - Katharine and Shannon :)