Spiritual Emphasis Week at BFA

Well, my last post was just after school began again for us, and that was about a month ago. A lot has happened here at Black Forest Academy, as well as with the Stemples, since then. I thought I'd give you an update on our school's Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW). One of my main responsibilities as chaplain is to coordinate and organize a week of special meetings for the school. We have just finished SEW and we saw some great things happen here at the school. Erik Williams, a friend of mine (he was in my wedding and I in his), came and spoke and brought some guys out to lead worship. What a great week we had as many students made some life changing decisions for Christ. We had 2 students who accepted Christ, which is always a great reminder that even though we serve many MK's it doesn't mean they all know Christ. Please continue to pray for follow-up and for the students who have come down from the mountain and are trying to figure out, "Now what?"
Life for the Stemples has been busy, but good. Our kids continue to grow and develop. Please keep us in your prayers that we would be able to balance life at an active school and ministry and family and life here in Germany. God has been good, but we must continually rely on His provision everyday.

So here is a shopping list of way to pray for us ...

1) Pray for the students at BFA. Many were impacted in some way last week at our SEW. Pray that they would follow through with the commitments they made to Christ. Pray, also, for growth in our two students that have now made faith in Christ their own. Pray for other MK's that do not know Jesus.
2) Pray for our old neighbors, Anjia (pronounced Ahn-Ya) and Martin. They have a baby boy (Laybin) who contracted a virus and is intensive care in a hospital north of here. He is not doing well, and his organs are slowly beginning to shut down. Anjia and Martin are believers, so pray for a reliance on Christ and that their lives can be testimonies to the many non-believers around them.
3) Pray for the Stemple Family. It seems like Satan likes to attack after such spiritually challenging and rewarding week. Sometimes I (Sam) am like Elijah, who after defeating ALL the prophets of Baal was found hiding in a cave and in a deep depression. I don't think I find myself that deep, but I can feel Satan attacking with discouragement at times. Pray that God would protect our family from all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Thanks again for all you do to support us in prayer, we need that more than anything. Continue to lift us up and encourage us through your prayers.


The Stemples (Sam; Jen; Jordan; Ellie; Matthew; and Katie)

PS - Matthew learned to ride his bike without training wheels this past month. It is another one of those milestone moments you don't want to miss. Look out Beulah Beach ... here he comes.

Here is a video of Matthew right after he learned to ride.