So we’ve been in Bratislava now for almost two weeks. The G-Squads third month in Europe has taken most of us to places that look very little like the Philippines or East Africa. We’ve worked our way over to central Europe and well into the European Union. I’m not sure what the politically correct definitions are anymore, but our ministry site looks an awful lot like what I would call the first world. It’s been a change.
This change in environment has been a blessing and a curse. We’re coming into the home stretch of the Race and we are tired emotionally and physically (I have to remind myself that nine months of travelling is a legitmate reason to be tired). Being in a place where we have reliable internet and comfy beds has been a great relief for some of our fatigue and we are hoping it will continue to be a blessing when we roll into Central America next month.
We’ve been able to connect with some great folks this month. Patrick Higgins is a pastor here in Bratislava who teaches English by day at an international school. He has a wife, Ivetka, and two beautiful boys. Currently his church meets in their home; they are an authentic community of Americans, Slovaks, and even one Japanese family, all striving for what it means to be Christians in Bratislava.
On a daily basis, we get to spend time with Erik. Erik helps us our by translating, guiding us through the bus system, and bringing prayer and wisdom when he feels led. Erik grew up an orphan in southern Slovakia, near the Hungarian border. He started following the Lord when he was a teenager and has since completed Bible school in Hungary. He just returned to Slovakia after working in London for almost four years as a chef. He felt the Lord calling him “home” and is working with us as he begins to listen for what the next step is in his life.
Our team is living in three different homes this month. Ian and I have found a great home with Tom and Debbie Johnson. Tom and Debbie are Americans who have been living in Slovakia for five years now. They lead a great ministry called GoodSports International. In their ministry they are creating safe, enriching environments for the children of Slovakia. They run an after-school center that is quickly growing out of the small office space that they rent from the Catholic church. GoodSports also runs summer camps, for which they receive short-term missions teams and summer interns. In conjunction with this ministries, Tom has drawn on his baseball background to help start a burgeoning Little League program in and around Bratislava. Tom and Debbie have been the most gracious of hosts. They have backgrounds in counseling and Pastoral care that have been invaluable in receiving a couple missionaries who have been stretched on the field for over eight months.
Our ministry has been life-giving. We have been able to help lead a youth group made up of many children of missionaries. It’s been nice to be able to minister to folks who speak fluent english. We have also been in some english classes with Patrick and one of his church members who teaches at the high school level. It’s great to meet students of all ages and see them through God’s eyes. We enjoy bringing a little fun into their classroom with some games and laughs, and we enjoy being able to rejoice in life with them.
We have been learning to strike a balance, as we learn to live apart from one another, in making time for ministry and making time to spend together as a team. Our amazing contacts are sensitive to protecting us from burnout in this advanced stage of our journey. I think our time in Slovakia will be a good month to learn what it means to minister when you may not feel like you have much left. We are learning to rely on the Lord and to allow him to lead.
Pray that we can freely receive the blessings we are finding in our surroundings and our new friends. Pray that we do not forget to stay in the present moment as the end of the Race approaches. Pray that we continue to learn how to love one another well. Pray that God’s hand would be on us as we continue to pursue him on a daily basis.
I love you all and thank you for your continued support. Praying that the Lord would bless you and keep you in his providence and counsel.
