August 31
This morning, I am so thankful for the Lord, His promises and His love for me. I spent time in the word, something I should have done more of this summer, and had a peaceful morning with the Lord. He reminded me again, that all I need is Him, and He is here for me.
Today, I pretty much worked on several B-team items. Something I am now doing everyday as my ministry here in SK has come to an end. This evening, I spent time with a few guys playing board games.
August 30
Home Alone!
Wow.it has been a total of three months since I have been home alone in my flat in PO! Although I enjoyed all the company, friends and folks (at least 20 of them throughout the summer) who stayed over these last three months, it is nice to be home to rest. I returned from Vienna this morning after saying good-bye to a fellow teammate, Lee Ann.
Well, before going to bed, I was struck with so many mind wars and felt all alone. I prayed and went to bed.
August 29
Bratislava, SK
Lee Ann and I left Zilina and visited Bratislava for the afternoon and evening. We spent the evening and night with my friends, Milo & Kamila. It was great to be with them as well.
August 28
Zilina, SK
Stayed the day & evening in Zilina visiting with a few folks, working, meeting Lee Ann at the train station and then having a going away party for her with several JV North Americans and Gabby. It was a nice dinner and evening sharing funny stories about Lee Ann and thanking her for her service in Slovakia. She plans to get married in December and hopes to be back with Bryan sometime next year or early 2008.
Just found out that I am going to be an uncle again in April 2007. Congratulations Steve & Melissa!
August 27
En route to Czech Republic
Ok, woke up at 11 am, packed and headed to the airport. It was a nice flight with an interesting experience.
So I am standing in line waiting to get through customs. While standing, a thought came to my mind."who lives this kind of life surrounded by so many people from various places around the world?" It was a wild moment where I got be around so many people.well it got crazier when the line I was in had to merge into the one next to us because the lady closed the window with no one else coming to help or open another window. There were a lot of people! It was interesting to watch the various cultures handle patience. For me, I am one who struggles with this, but took this time to watch and learn. I stood for an hour and saw several people really become irritated with one lady whom I believed to be an American, go up and ask for them to open up another window.of course she did not speak Czech. There was a guy from Bulgaria or Russia who was not happy. Several others started pushing forward, like that was going to help. Eventually, I got through, found my luggage next to the conveyor belt, caught the bus and headed to the train station.
I am currently on a train headed to Cesky Tesin where I plan to call it a night. Was glad to visit the Baltic area, work and spend time with fellow colleagues.
August 26
Wedding Day!
Ok, for those of you are interested in some of the Baltic wedding customs/traditions, here you go. After the wedding, we took a group a picture in the church with everyone who was in attendance. It was a special moment. After having light snacks and eating cake, we left the church. It is normal for family and the wedding party to watch the bride and groom participate in several game/activities.
We arrived at the downtown park where the following took place. The wedding game planner asked the bride and groom to sit on a bench and write down their current thoughts for the day. Then asked them to pick a number, three was chosen, and then asked them to write a letter to each other about the day and three years from now, they will open and read the letters. Afterwards, we walked to a bridge, where Edmunds carried his bride across the bridge. He had to count the steps, 53 in all, which symbolized how many years they would be together. From there we went to a top of a hill, where they were asked to write down on a piece of paper their weaknesses. Afterwards, they placed them in a cup and burned them, symbolizing that they are now a team and will work together.
From there we walked to another bridge, where they placed an engraved lock on the bridge symbolizing their marriage to last a long time never being broken. The keys were thrown in the river. Afterwards, we walked to another part of the city where they had to sew a heart on a red material, later to be used for something else.
We then took off towards the wedding party location. However, we made one stop, where they had to dig a hole for a 2-liter soft drink, and cover it up. In one year, they are to return, find the spot, dig up the soft drink and have a date. After that, we arrived at the party location, where they had several activities to do. They received 71 roses and for each one lay out on the road, they had to give a complement to other. They had to change a baby diaper, cut the heart out of the material, she one, and then Edmunds carried Alena and stepped on a plate symbolizing how many children they would have from the broken pieces, and there were many! We ate, danced and played a few more interesting but fun games.
It was a great experience!
August 25
Today, besides working, Chris and I helped Edmunds with several wedding details. In the evening, we participated in the bachelor party where five of us went out for some great pizza and then saw a movie.
August 24
En route to Riga, Latvia.
Today, Chris & I arrived in Riga to spend a few days with Edmunds before he gets married on Saturday. Edmunds is a Latvian who is a youth leader with JV. It was great to be with him and be part of his wedding. This evening, we all met for the rehearsal. The wedding will take place in a Baptist church and will consist of a few similarities of an American wedding.
My thoughts on Latvia are very similar to Estonia. Being in a Capitol city, never paints a true picture of the entire country, but was nice to experience Latvia.
August 23
Otepaa, Estonia
Spending time in the forest. We are experiencing rain for the last two days, so pretty much resting and doing work. Oh, and eating well too.
My impressions of Estonia- for me it is very western. I say western, because I felt like in some places and times I was in America. The cars, clothes and housing seemed like being in the states. It was interesting to see wooden homes like you see in the Northeastern parts of the states rather then seeing concrete buildings. In fact, they have free wireless throughout the entire city and do most of their business over cell phones. It was great to see many Apple computers being used too. Tartu is a college town with lots of rich culture. It was also great to see and catch a glimpse of the ministry being done by the JV team up here. I'd ask that you be in prayer for them, as they will be starting a new church in mid- October.
August 22
This morning I was reading an article from Christianity Today related to the current situation in Serbia. Since we recently served in Serbia, I thought you'd be interested in this article to give you a feel of the current stronghold our brothers and sisters are dealing with. Visit: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/007/7.16.html
August 21
Tartu, Estonia
Well, I made it safe and sound to the Baltics. It is great to be around some Godly men who really know how to encourage, love and pour into others!
I arrived yesterday afternoon in Riga, Latvia, spent time with Edmunds and his fiancé, enjoyed a nice linner (lunch/dinner) with them, boarded a bus, crossed the border and arrived 4 hours later in Tartu, Estonia.
Today, I spent my time at the Going Up office, our Estonia JV National Organization, where I worked on several things for JV and spent some quality time with several of the JV guys- Dave, Peep, & Chris. During my time, I watched how the office functioned and really enjoyed watching so many young students come in and go. It was great to see these young leaders who are passionately serving to reach the youth of Tartu.
In the afternoon, Chris and I had some quality time getting caught up & walking around the college city. In the evening, we were invited to dinner over at the Cupery's who are also with JV. It was great to be around them and their children.
In the evening, I spent my time with Peep and Chris. When I am around these guys, I feel like I have known these guys for a long time. Like I belong, like I am important. They really know how to care for and have an interest in who I am and what I am doing. It is my desire that I too am doing the same for them as well. After our time, we had a great laugh with the local hedgehog!
Funny story- we were saying good-bye and Peep showed me a hedgehog in his yard. At first glance, it looked like the fake hedgehogs that some Americans have next to their door that are used to clean or wipe off dirt from the bottom of shoes. My mind was like, yea right, that is a real hedgehog. I thought maybe it was one of those plastic ones that fell off of their steps. Well, a few seconds later, Peep kicked it and it began to hiss and rolled up into a ball. I was surprised. My first hedgehog! We had a great laugh about it afterwards.
How I wish.
Over the summer, I came across so many people and was fun to be with them. But for some, I really learned how we are all in need of attention, how people respond to get that attention, and how people generally are. It was interesting for me to see even how I am & act around people. And from that experience, several questions/thoughts came to my mind.
How I wish people would be who they really are and be authentic and not worry what others think. How I wish we could trust each other. How I wish others don't need to put people down to make themselves look better or popular. How I wish others didn't have to be drawn to others just because of materialistic things people possess. How I wish others didn't have to hide behind masks or provide surface responses. How I wish we can grow deeper in Christ and love because God loved us. How I wish we can accept and understand the love we have received from God and share that same authentic love with each other. How I wish the church - the body of Christ can obtain this? How our world would be different?
How I need to grasp this myself and seek the Lord for sanctification- to become more like Christ and less like the worldly man I have become. It starts with each of us; it starts with me.
Encouragement from God!
As I begin to process my summer's experience, so many things come to my mind. One in particular was when God showed up one evening to encourage a drained soul through a book, bible, people and an email.
I truly enjoyed leading and serving the team I had this summer. But anytime you are in this position, and all you do is pour into others and no one pours into you, you eventually dry up. I was drained and very thirsty. One evening after returning from Serbia, I just broke down and had enough. I read a chapter out of The Ragamuffin Gospel & came across a quote that really spoke truth to me.
Louis Savary writes about the brotherhood of those drained. "Their life is full of demands from others. They seem to be living at least three lives; everyone wants a piece of them; they can't say no, yet they have no time do what they already said yes to . they cannot seem to find the necessary clarity & information on which to base decisions.they make a great investment in relationships & get little gratitude, feedback, or even acknowledgment from others." "Although nonreciprocity is inevitable & acceptable, it is also draining. No one can function long in a helping profession without feeling its impact."
I also spent time with God and He led me to Psalm 23:1; "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want."
I meditated on that verse for some time and realized that all I need is God. I am not in want for anything when I have Christ in me. How hard that is living in a broken world?! After spending time with the Lord, I shared some thoughts with Ryan and Jany, two guys who played a huge role in my summer. As I shared what I was experiencing, we came together and had an amazing fellowship, where we all realized some things about each other, encouraged and prayed for each other.
Soon after, I opened up my Mac to check email and received the following email from a student who attended camp this summer. It totally was a God thing and I praised Him for being my Shepherd!
From Maria.
Dear Mike,
it's about 1 o'clock, night. tommorow, in fact today, we're leaving on a holiday with my family, early in the morning, so I should go to bed, but I have to write to you first.
I've just read the blog at your website (I was expecting your coming back from serbia to add new days to blog 8-) ) and I just want you to know that I am really grateful for the day I met you at my school, because thanks to you, I went to Kecy and I met many wonderful people. But beyond, the most important thing for me was, that I learnt a lot about my faith. You know, we have bible study every friday with people from kecy. I am really thankful for all the meetings that we had after camp, beause for me it was like keeping in touch with something I didn't and I still don't want to lose. Now I see, that although I did believe in God, I didn't think much of things I believed in. I just believed. at bible study I learnt that faith is logical and every moment proves us that God really does exist. now every new information is wonder although I thought I had known all this before.
I want you to know that I think you're doing a really good job. Everything I read in your blog was amazing because you never stop, however bad it seems to be. Somehow I am sure that God sent you to Slovakia becase He knew we needed you here.
Kecy camp was a wonder for me (it was the first one for me), and not just because I felt very good and had a great time with a lot of fun, but because I felt that this was the right place for me to be , where God sent me, because He knew I needed to get closer to Him.
I wish you to be at least as succesufl in Czech as you were here. I am sorry that you're leaving, because it's not a long time I met you and I would like you to stay and share the moments with kecy people together, but I'm sure God knows why He's doing this.
well, I hope my parents won't kill me in the morning and I hope I manage to see you before you leave.
have a great time
bye
8-)
one Maria from camp
August 19
Planes, trains & Automobiles- heading to Prague this morning to visit a few friends, and then will leave in the morning for the Baltics.
August 18
Left for & arrived in Czech Republic, had a meeting and spent some time with a friend of mine, Becca, who also serves with JV.
August 17
Day of rest, getting organized and packing again.
Tomorrow I will leave for the Czech Republic to do some work and then will fly up to the Baltics to work, visit friends and participate in a friend's wedding. I am looking forward to this visit.
August 16
Saying "good-bye" is a hard thing.
Early this morning, we took Ryan to the airport to say good-bye. We have been living eating, praying, laughing, sharing, talking, serving, etc., together, almost every day, for about three months. And for me, it was a hard thing to say good-bye to a man whom I thank God for bringing to Slovakia this summer to serve, encourage, and walk alongside our ministry.
Ryan connected so well with students, and I got to see a guy really experience all that he has been going to school for- to become a missionary. Not only did he impact Slovakia, but he impacted me with his gentle spirit, calming attitude and relaxed personality which affected me this summer. I was thinking about all the times we were together and how even when he did not say a word, I got a sense of compassion and care from him when things got rough, tough or stressed.
In fact, today, I experienced a lost I have not had in a long time. And as I pondered more, I got a glimpse of what it must have felt like for God to send His Son down to earth to be with us for 30 some years. I can only imagine. Thanks Ryan for living Christ in front of me this summer!
On the way home, we stopped in Zilina for a debrief KECY meeting, dropped off Lee Ann and headed home with Anka. It was nice to spend time with Anka. She is such a great encourager and has a caring heart. I am thanking God for allowing her to be part of our team as well.
We arrived safe and sound.
August 15
Vienna, Austria
Today, we went to Vienna where we spent the day walking around the city, enjoying a good Whopper sandwich and sipping a Starbucks as well. In the evening, we went to a nice restaurant out in the vineyard and had a nice final meal together. We shared funny stories from the summer, what God taught each of us and prayed for each other before going back to our hotel.
August 14
Bratislava, SK
Today, Lee Ann, Anka, Ryan and I went to Bratislava to do our final debrief and close out our summer together. It was a nice ride to the capital city. We had a nice Mexican dinner, walked around the city at night, and reminisced about the summer. I will miss these guys a great deal.
August 13
CampFest was great. This year, I went as a participant and spent time with several students from KECY. Ryan, Jany S. & F. and I stayed in the same tent. We had lots of fun being together and visiting the various music groups and talks.
August 10 13
CampFest
We are off to spend a few days at CampFest in the Tatry Mountains. Several of our students from KECY will join us there. Look forward to sharing more once we return.
To learn more, visit: http://campfest.sk/en/
August 9
Rested and got caught up with odds and ends around the apartment. Ryan went to visit with Jany S. and his family. I will miss him very much. He has been a great friend. I am glad that those two have become friends as well.
August 8
Returned back to PO!
Ryan and I spent the evening with our friends, Mato and Jany Figura. Mato will leave on Thursday for the states to be an exchange student for a year. Ryan plans to visit him in the next few weeks. God was great to put them together this summer.
August 7
It was a great day to visit Mel & Amy. We got caught up with our summers, discussed a few things related to my new job and then visited our new office and my new flat. I am really excited about this new adventure and will miss everyone in SK.
August 6
Today, we took Anka to her parent1s house near Poprad, met up with our CZ friends, Katka & Svata, and took the van back to Zilina. We spent a few hours visiting the Danny, Clara, his wife and the Nickerson's who are with JV and in town. Danny and his family will return to the states for a year sabbatical.
Afterwards, we went into Czech Republic where we will visit the Ellenwoods for a day before heading back to PO.
August 5
Ryan, Lee Ann, Anka and I took off to Zakopane, Poland for our summer debrief. Officially our summer ends on the 16th, but with one of our camps in Serbia cancelled, we felt best to return to Slovakia, wrap some things up & allow us time to be with students.
Our debrief went well! It has been the best summer I have had since being here. I could not have asked for a better team to end my summer camp ministry. I enjoyed being with Ryan, Lee Ann and Anka. We visited the downtown, ate dinner, and played games back at the hotel.
August 4
Today we "vegged" around town and headed to Kosice in the afternoon to see Pirates of the Caribbean II. It was great! I cannot wait for the third one.
August 3
On the road again! Our team left early in the morning to a group of Serbian friends waving good-bye! We arrived home safe and sound and plan to rest for the next few days.
August 2
Novi Sad, Serbia
Today, we visited the Danube river park area & met up with several of the students. We not only swam in the Danube, we also played soccer, and built sandcastles with them. In the evening, we all participated in the Wednesday night evening service at the church and shared our experiences with the congregation. It was a blessing to see several of the students from camp in church sitting next to the Serbian teammates.
August 1
Novi Sad, Serbia
Today, we slept in, had our quiet times and then went out into the city with some of the guys to play billiards. In the evening, we attended the Chat Club at the church; we were met up with all the students, shared our experiences, and had a great fellowship. One of the comments the students shared with us is that they felt like we were all one family and did not want that to end. We encouraged them that that experience did not have to end that that the Serbian team was there to walk with them as the keep processing camp.
