QA

Last Saturday I briefly alluded to the fact that I have been accepted as an RA at BFA in Aug of '07. I am now back to answer the 'flood' of questions I have received in a dandy little segment I call "Mr Answer Man".

Question: When did you decide to apply for this position?
Answer: I almost formally applied last May, but decided to postpone my decision until after I went to Switzerland for the English camp. I started the formal process in August after returning and spending some time thinking and praying to make sure I was making the right decision.

Q: Do you mind if I just use a 'Q' instead of the full word 'Question'? It was my nickname in high school.
A: As long as you don't mind me using an 'A'.

Q: So, what exactly is BFA? Buns For America? Bunnies Love Astroboy?
A: Heh, bunnies. Actually, it stands for Black Forest Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids. These kids, ranging in age from around 13-18, attend this school to get an education that is a bit more North American than they would get in the countries their parents are serving. It is also a way to prepare them for NA life as most of them will return to Canada or the United States for further education, or just work, once they are done high school.

Q: What did you do when you found out you were officially going?
A: I celebrated by getting sick. Not seriously ill, just one of those drain the energy and cause trouble sleeping due to excessive coughing sort of sick. I'm fine, but vaguely irritated.

Q: What is your greatest fear going into this?
A: Not having the money that I need. In an effort to keep the cost down for the students the staff is asked to raise their own support. There are many other things that seem like they should be frightening (moving to a country that speaks mostly not English, for example), but honestly, those are things that don't concern me overly much. I will be able to handle that, even if it takes me a few weeks/months. But to not be allowed to go because I simply don't have the necessary money, that is a real concern of mine.

Q: So how much does it cost?
A: I have to raise just under $1800 a month, which works out to roughly $21,000 a year, or $42,000 for two years, in Canadian funds, of course. That covers room and board, as well as things like insurance and stuff like that. It sounds like alot, but if I get 36 people to send $50 a month, then I am set.

Q: How does this work? Do I just send you money?
A: Yyyyeeeeessssss...that's it. Send me money.... *shifts eyes nervously*

Q: Why don't I believe you?
A: Maybe it was the shifty eyes.

Q: So how do I really support you?
A: The best way is to send money directly to Janz Team. I will be sending out support letters in the upcoming weeks that will have pledge forms included. You can commit to giving monthly, or a one time gift, whatever works best for you. If you do that, then you will receive a tax receipt for charitable donations, which always helps at tax time. If you really want to, you can send money directly to me, and I will either send it straight to Janz Team, or, if you tell me that I can, I will use it for some of the preparations that I need to make while I'm still here in Canada.

Q: Can I get one of those support letters?
A: Sure. If you happen to be reading this and don't receive a letter by the end of February, drop me a line and I will figure out how to get one to you. I would prefer to use as much email as I can because sending things through the mail costs money, something that I am not blessed with abundantly.

Q: Are you excited?
A: Extremely. This is one of those "step-out-of-your-comfort-zone" sort of deals. I've never done anything so big and ambitious before. There are times when I start looking at too many little details at the same time, as well as looking at the big picture and I start to feel overwhelmed. But then I realise that I am going to be living in a completely different country, doing work for God, and it makes me almost giddy. Tee-hee.

Q: When do you leave?
A: I have to be in Germany by August 4th. Or 6th. I can't remember right off hand, but I do have the information somewhere. I'll get it right when I book my flight.

Q: How long are you gone?
A: Two years.

Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: Yes. Keep watching this space for periodic updates. Also, if you want to know more about BFA visit their website at www.bfacademy.com. And if you want to know more about Janz Team Ministries, which is the ministry that runs BFA and is the mission that is sending me out, visit their website at http://www.janzteam.org/. And finally, if you have any other questions for me that I didn't answer here, ask them in the comments section and I will address them. My comments are set up to take anonymous comments, so you don't even need an account. Or a name.

Q: Thanks for visiting with us. Have yourself a great day.
A: Hey, that wasn't a question!