Message to BFA Staff Members

I gave the following to our 100(plus) staff members in my latest Christmas memo to them. I thought you would like to read it too. Tim.

Dear Staff Member,
I am grateful to God for you and for this ministry of ours. Sometimes in our work/ministry we get so focused on the stack of grading or the mounds of laundry, that we forget what makes this work so special. Let me remind you that because of your work in the dorms and in the classroom, there are moms and dads, servants of God, who are more fulfilled in their calling, work, and ministry whether it is here in Kandern, or in Kyrgyzstan. Because you are here, somewhere, in some country or another, a student’s parent is sharing the gospel with someone who is hearing it for the first time. Today, because you are here, a parent is distributing food and clothing to the needy, another one is training pastors, and another one is giving badly needed medical attention to a hurting child. Today, through your students’ parents, an ethical decision is being made the right way in the business office, a frontline missionary is being cared for, and a small church is being started. All through your students’ parents. And they cannot do this without you!!

God bless you at this season of the year. My family and I wish you a blessed Christmas and a restful time with family and friends. Tim Shuman

Shopping Sunday in Basel, Switzerland

What do you think Sandee and Luke are thinking looking into the window at Cartier? At least window shopping is still reasonable in Switzerland.
Sandee and the boys (sorry it's blurry) on a walking street in Basel, on this rare Sunday shopping day. Normally, stores are closed on Sunday. 

Christmas in Basel, Switzerland

How do you like the Christmas decorations on this store front? Notice the huge bows and trees in each window. Oh, and notice Sandee, Luke and Tyler (back of his head) in the picture. Today, Sunday, is a rare shopping day in Basel, Switzerland. After church we headed downtown to get something to eat on the street, visit the Christmas booths, and just look around. It's a great Christmas tradition.
Here is just a little portion of the huge Christmas Markt in Basel. Notice the small booths in this picture. Each one sells something unique. Some sell food. And some sell something called "Gluhwein". It's a hot drink and its flavor is similar to hot cider, but it's actually a mild hot wine. One of the unique tastes of Christmas.

Official Reunion Pictures

Well, here they are. These are the official '06 Family Reunion pictures of us nine kids with mom and dad. Steve Shuman is the photographer. Thanks Steve. Good job. (Double click on each one to see a larger view.)

Arranged from top to bottom (oldest child to youngest): Teddy, Becky, Jim, Jack, Pam, Tim, Tom, Cheri, and Chellie.

Christmas at our house

Sandee is an amazing Christmas decorator. Please come over and see us. Look closely at the picture. Can you find KD in this picture? Double click on this photo to see a bigger version. 

BFA timekeeper

Here we are at the scorer's table. I got to run the clock at a recent BFA Basketball game. The pressure for the timekeeper is grueling!! :-) Left to right: BFA ball players, me, Abbie Arndt, Lane Young, Preston Godbold, Dr. Larry Parsons.

Last day before Christmas Break

Christine Cho, grade 12. Making copies in our library.
BFA's beautiful library. It's almost empty today, because today was the last day of school.
Three of BFA's students relaxing between mid-term exams. Great kids.

Dec 14, 2006

Luke and fellow senior students hanging out at our house. Let's see...back row: Adam, Billy, Tim, Emily, Mary. Front row, that's Stephanie, Luke, Adam, and Julie. All good friends.
Here's Manda Thompson, BFA Art teacher, and Sandee in the staff kitchen this morning. Sandee put on this entire spread of holiday treats for our teaching staff. She made ALL of it. Wow. The staff loved it.

BFA Christmas Concert

BFA's Mass Choir. They did a fantastic job tonight. We are very proud of them. Now we are in the Christmas mood. 

"Swiss Idol"

Wow. Michael Janz, a BFA Graduate, won the Swiss version of "American Idol" last week!! The show is called "Swiss Superstar" and is in the same format as the American Idol show in the US. Michael grew up here in Kandern and graduated from BFA in the 90s and has been pursuing a musical career ever since. He is part of a band called Beatbetrieb in Germany. They have had some success and have even had a video on MTV. Who knows where this latest success will take Michael. Yes, Michael is a grandson of one of the members of the original Janz Team, who founded BFA. His parents live down the street from us.
To learn more about the show click on this link: http://www.3plus.ch/sendungen/superstar
To learn more about Michael's band click on this link: www.beatbetrieb.de

Early December Pictures

Tyler and his little "sister" KD.
A recent home basketball game at BFA. The cheerleaders represent the guest team: Baumholder High School. Baumholder is one of several high schools located on US military bases in Germany. (BFA does not have a cheerleading squad.) 

Mom and Dad Shuman

Arleen and Ted Shuman. Married 60 years, 9 kids, 9 kids-in-law, 31 grandchildren, 9 or 10 (?) great-grandchildren, numerous friends, followers of Christ. Never moved from 3969 Stow Road. 

All nine of us. My cool brothers and sisters.

All nine of us in correct birth order. Can you tell if the oldest is on the left or on the right? I can't.
l. to r.: Teddy, Becky, Jim, Jack, Pam, Tim, Tom, Cheri, and Chellie.

Back to Germany

Well, I made it back safely to Germany. My two week trip included the following highlights...

1. I witnessed Sandee becoming an American in Cleveland, Ohio.


2. I saw many BFA alumni in Chicago area at Trinity, Wheaton, and Moody.


3. I represented BFA in Chicago, IL and Anaheim, CA.


4. I signed up three pages of potential staff recruits for BFA.


5. Ohio State beat Michigan and I got to watch the game live (in California).


6. Michael Lee took Hans Fung and me out to eat for genuine Korean food. Wow, that was great.


7. I ate my first bowl of spicy Jambalaya at the "Stadium Grill" in CA with two BFA alumni. It was GOOD.


8. I was able to extend my trip in order to be back "home" in Ohio for Thanksgiving with my entire family that included my parents, and my five sisters and three brothers. That was an amazing and rare thing. Thank you Lord and mom and dad.


9. I was able to visit with my best friends from childhood: Dan and Dave Raper and I stayed in David's home.


10. Pizza from the stone oven at Rex and Lois's place. Great food and fellowship and family.


11. I had a warm Krispy Kreme donut. Mmm Mmm.


12. I made it safely back to my gorgeous wife and sons.


13. BFA was just fine while I was gone for two weeks - way to go - Lane and Bill.


14. Some of the best things in life happen around food.

Too many bosses?

Can't we just agree on where to look? 

Best Friends since 2nd grade

My good buddies Dan and Dave Raper. They always have a way of cracking me up without fail.
Can you tell these guys are twins? We met in second grade sunday school and have been great friends ever since.

The Shuman Gathering

Mom with my five sisters. Teddy, Becky, Pam, Mom, Cheri, and Chellie.
Dad with his four sons. Jim, Jack, Dad, me, and Tom.

Shuman Breakfast

Mom and Dad and all nine of the Shuman children. What a rare occurance. 

TDay with my sisters

Me with my five sisters: Teddy, Becky, Pam, Chellie, me, and Cheri. 

Images from TDay 2006

Nieces: Samatha Gulland and Holly Burkett at Uncle Jack's farm.
Samatha (MK from Japan) with baby Kennedy Shuman