Sheppersons in Slovakia

Since the end of communism over 17 years ago, the evangelical church in Slovakia has been stuggling to rebuild itself. What remained after 40 years of communism was a church with primarily people 40 years old and older.

Now, our vision is to reach a new generation for the future church through youth ministry. Kompas Training Center in Zilina, Slovakia seeks to encourage, inspire and train youth workers throughout Slovakia. We use seminars, a training school, resource material production, national conferences and other means to accomplish this vision.

Since 2001, our family has lived  here and served in this ministry. It’s an exciting adventure each day to watch how God uses us to bring about His purposes around us.

Ok, so here they are: pictures from our summer vacation to France. Beware, there are a lot! Many of you have already heard how about the wonderful time we had there. God really blessed us with 1 week in the mountains, and then 1 week at the beach. It was so relaxing, restful and enjoyable for all (I read a book, from beginning to end)!

What a beautiful place France is! Geographically we were all over the southern edge, just next to Italy (while we were in the mountains), and an area formally called the “Cote d’ Azur”. We didn’t eat out much (and experience real French cusine), but going to the grocery store was just another delight for me! We definately enjoyed “French Food”, even if I had to cook it myself! We also really loved getting fresh baguettas and crossionts every day/morning from the local bakery! What a delight.

So I think the photos tell just about all what we did, and how we spent our time there. Our favorite city was Nice and a place we definately want to return.

School Things

• Gwyneth- language-for new words, better understanding in school lessons, friends-God will give her good friends, adjustment to longer days and homework.

• Emili- language and understanding of subjects taught, concentration, ability to focus (especially in Mathematics), quick thinking (they are graded on how quickly they can finish tasks) friends- that God will give her boldness not to conform to the negative ways of her friends, but to take a stand, risking friendships (even when the friendships aren’t strong in the first place),

• Samuel Green- peace and contentment while the girls are away at school, when mom is gone teaching;

• Kim- for someone who can watch Samuel Green while I am teaching; for the relationships with teachers-to continue to deepen and  opportunities to share faith openly

• Zac- for the new students who will enroll in TCK, God will give him wisdom and words to teach these students

Home Things

• obedience
• showing love and kindness (not arguing) with siblings-becoming “best friends”
• development of their personal relationship with God
• finding a consistent schedule and balance of helping with house, playing, homework
• patience and love for mom and dad as they daily struggle to keep on top of all these things; modeling and implementing of these Godly values.

The first week of school is officially over (and I survived)! I just posted some photos from the first day in the gallery. We are so happy and blessed with the school God put us in. It continues to expand (this year with 700 students) with both students and improvements. For our family, it really is a fun place to go.

Gwyneth is in the First Grade class. Everyday she came home with exciting news and stories about new friends, songs and games they are learning. She is very confident in her Slovak now, and I believe feels very secure in this new place. She was picked to be in the new school singing team. We are excited and proud of her. She finishes her lessons most days by 11:30 or 12:30 and hopes to get to take some of the afternoon classes offered (she wants piano, and gymnastics). She reports that she has “3 best friends in that place: Zuzka, the girl in the red shirt and the girl with the long hair and glasses”! (more…)

The last week of the summer is always reserved for our Church’s camp. It is a normal thing here in Slovakia for families to go together to a “camp” for a week in the summer. The only thing I can compare it to in the States is with memories of summer church camp as a kid. A place, where kids love, but parents find it hard to stay more than a weekend. A bit rustic, and when combined with a week of rain, a bit damp and smelly.

Despite the physical hardship of the camp (including the food), the relationships are far worth the imposition, this year notwithstanding. It was a precious time with all our families to be together for one week and work on relationships. It was such valuable time spent, and perfect timing too, with the start of a new School Year. Our church is made up of mostly young families like us. In fact, this year (with the Joneses gone for a year) our Emili was the oldest child (also one of the only 3 girls). So we have so much in common and so much to share with one another. For a look at some of the good times we shared click on this link.

During “Church” part of the camp, we discussed plans to implement a new children’s program patterned after Northpoint Community Church’s (Alpharetta, GA) “Kidstuf”. (more…)

I can’t really believe it’s true, but Kyalo is coming to Slovakia! I know that means nothing to you, so let me back up a bit to the beginning of the story.

It was a normal Sunday morning after church. Except I was not in such an ordinary place for a young American boy of 25. Machakos, Kenya seemed as alien as any place I had ever dreamed. But I was actually there! (more…)