Car Wash Planned to Support the Shumans

To the editor,

Narragansett High School has many teachers and administrators doing wonderful things in our area, but there is one that is carrying his love for students to the other side of the world. 

Guidance counselor Rob Shuman and his family are planning to return to Kandern, Germany next year so that Rob can continue his work at the Black Forest Academy as an assistant principal. 

The Black Forest Academy is a boarding school for missionary children whose parents are serving in countries all over the world. Many of these parents feel that the areas where they are serving are not safe for their children and want their kids to be in a protected place, or they just want their kids to enjoy an American-type Christian education that Black Forest supplies so they can be prepared for college life in the United States.

Rob and Heather Shuman first felt the call to serve at BFA two years ago when they visited with another Narragansett teacher and friend that spent several years at BFA. After a whirlwind summer of raising funds for support, they headed off to Germany and the unknown. But through everything they were at peace about their decision.

“We have felt the Lord’s calling through the past year and have been amazed at how every obstacle that we saw in our way was cleared,” Rob said. 

He served as a guidance counselor at the school and Heather shared her creative gifts and photographic expertise while their three boys, Andrew, Matthew and Jacob dove head first into life in Germany. Then, after a very fulfilling year of ministering to students, it was time to return home to Narragansett and their families and friends. Rob returned to his job helping students at NHS, Heather got back into her business and the boys have enjoyed their time with friends and relatives.

But it wasn’t long before the Shumans felt God’s hand on them again.  When BFA approached Rob with the offer of returning to the school in the assistant principal’s position, he felt that he had to accept.

“We are excited about this invitation as it comes with the opportunity to return to Kandern, Germany and serve these amazing missionary children and their families.”

In order for Black Forest Academy to offer a quality international, Christian education at the lowest rates possible to the missionaries to whom they serve, it relies on donations from individuals and churches around the world.  It also does not offer salaries to its staff, so those seeking to serve at BFA must raise all the financial support necessary to travel to Germany and live there as they answer this calling. 

This is a daunting task, but Rob said, “We know the Lord is faithful and will provide for all our needs.”

There will be many opportunities to support the Shumans as they answer their call to serve. The first is on the morning of May 21. There will be a car wash in the parking lot of First Baptist Church at 305 Kingstown Road from 9 a.m. to noon.  Donations will be accepted and all proceeds will go to Rob, Heather and the boys as they work toward their goal. 

For more information about the Black Forest Academy, you may visit their website here. To read about the Shuman’s last year in Germany, you can check out their blog here. If you are interested in how you can further support the Shumans, you can contact Rob at rshuman@teachbeyond.org.

Letter courtesy of Kathleen Frankovich.