February 28
Met with Peter and one of our Pastors, Bakalar, today over lunch. It was an enjoyable meal and conversation. I was very encouraged by several of the things the pastor had to say about the ministry we have been doing with his youth group. He mentioned to me that he too has learned a great deal and is thankful to have had the service our team has provided. From what I gathered, it seems that our ministry may have jumped started some fresh new kind of thinking with him and how the church should live.
Afterwards, I went to Kukova where they were hosting a younger youth over night retreat at the Fara, pastor's house. It was great to see the kids and student-led leadership. We had fun playing games, dancing, worshipping, listening to a great message on being salt and light for Christ, watching two movies, crashing on the floor with 30 students in one room and getting only 5 hours of rest.
February 27
Began reading 1 Samuel. Initial thoughts, it was interesting for me to see how Samuel did not know the Lord yet, and it took Eli to show Him who He was. God already existed and Samuel needed a "tour guide" / missionary to point to where God was. The other thought was how Eli did not react to the Lord's rebuke as others of strong faith did in the past. Eli did not plead a case with the Lord, but took what was given.
Today was a great day! I got to hang out with some students by playing in-door soccer with them. For me it was great exercise and to be with these guys whom I care for very much. They are all great students. Afterwards, I had lunch with Marian and his family. Marian is the director for Youth For Christ-SK. It was great to get caught up, share what my new role will be, etc.
In the evening, I went bowling with another set of students from another high school. It was a blast. We played for three hours. I like them very much and look forward to getting to know them more.
February 25
Headed back towards PO with a stop in the Tatry with a few friends of mine who serve with Campus Crusade. It was our day off and had a nice relaxing time.
February 24
Spent the morning in Cesky Tesin visiting the evangelism team with JV-Czech Republic. It was nice to be with them, to pray with them, and to learn from them. Afterwards, I walked around the downtown to get familiar with the city.
One observation I had was how this team functions together. After reading the Book of Ruth, and how the people lived together during that time, I got a taste of that while with this team.
I then headed to Zilina where I visited with some of the JV-Slovakia team. Again, it was good to be with them & get caught up. Spent time with Paige, Amy, Gavin & Amanda, and Kenric. Please pray for this group of folks who are going through a great deal of changes related to the church and training department. Specifically for peace, comfort, strength, wisdom & discernment.
February 23
Spent the entire day meeting with Mel, my new director. It was very encouraging to meet and talk through several things as I prepare to move. Mel & his family are amazing and will enjoy being with them. In my next prayer letter, I will share more about the transition details.
In the evening, I spent time with Greg who is a missionary that just arrived to the Czech Republic a month ago. He is adapting to the culture, learning the language and during the weekend visits a few youth groups on the south end of the country.
February 22
Read Ruth today great look at how people treated each other with kindness, selfless giving, and compassion. Really inspires me to live the same each day.
Going to spend some time with a few guys playing table soccer at a local pub where they hang out after school. Afterwards, I will head to Zilina and then to Czech Republic to meet with the new director, Mel.
I'd ask for your prayers for safe travels, protective heart, mind and soul against temptation and for wisdom & discernment on working out the details related to the transitions soon to take place.
February 20
Woke up from a great nights rest! Thanks for your prayers. I believe I have adapted to the time and eating changes! Culture is going well too. Have experienced some fun and interesting things that I had forgotten. Like seeing an elderly man peeing on the sidewalk in broad daylight. Still will never figure that one out©.but it made me laugh as did many Slovaks walking by.
Today, I cleaned the flat, did some work and will spend time with my small group this afternoon, before meeting with the leadership team to talk about the future and my departure. Please be in prayer as we finalize things.
February 19
Had another good nights rest! Woke up, cleaned the flat, and played tennis with Jacob, a friend/student of mine. It was fun to get back together with him, get caught up with how things are going and to do something active. He won the first set 6 to 2 & I won the second set before we had to quit, 4 to 1.
Afterwards, I began the new series that Andy has started, pause. If you are interested, visit http://northpoint.org/sermons In the evening, I will spend time with one of my other students to get caught up and see what is new with him.
February 18
Good nights rest! Reading through Judges and just finished reading about Gideon; an average guy who did extraordinary things for the Lord. As I read, I wrestled a bit with the thought of with faith, also comes fear and doubt. Much like many heroes in the bible, they too tested/questioned the Lord, only to find out that it all was based on trust. I also question the lives of the people back then. They would sin, seek the Lord, He would rescue them, then when the judge who helped them with the Lord died, they1d go back to their old ways. It was like they were following a man in the flesh and not the Lord. How often do we see that today?
Anyways, visited an American friend of mine in Kosice. We had a nice lunch with some great conversations. Afterwards, I returned to PO and hosted a US/SK Olympic party. It was 24 to 1©24 Slovak fans and 1 American fan. It was a blast having the guys over and watching a great game. They played well, and sorry to say, USA lost! The guys were very kind to me afterwards.
February 17
Hard night sleeping again, but had a great day. Peter and I did a few errands, had a meeting with a potential national intern for this summer, Rina, and then did some work. It was a slow day.
February 16
"You give & take away, my heart will chose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name." Matt Redman
First full night of sleep and I woke up to snow! It is such a beautiful gift from God to enjoy from your window as you remain in a nice warm & cozy flat. Then you get outside and "boom" it hits you, it is freezing, wet & cold, but still an amazing gift from God. I visited a Lutheran class this morning to share what I do over here in Slovakia. It was great to encourage the students to live for Christ, our personal friend, & share him with others.
In the afternoon, I had several meetings over the computer and then in the evening the KECY team came over to watch hockey (SK WON!) & had a meeting on upcoming events. It is great to be back here, just hard as I begin to work on the transitional side of things. Thanks for your prayers.
February 15
Ok, this time change is killing me! Don't ask, but pray that I will overcome this and get back to normal.
I had a great day! Spent several hours with a friend of mine, Tomas. We had a good conversation about God, Jesus and love. He challenged me a great deal and appreciate his thoughts. This evening, I went to the college/singles youth meeting. It was good to see many familiar faces and to hear a message about how the church-it's people should be.
In the evening, I watched Russia play Slovakia in hockey at the Olympics. SLOVAKS WON! Interesting fact, the coach and his two sons are playing for Slovakia. One of the son's plays for the Thrashers while the other one plays for the Rangers. Both whom I got to see during the Thanksgiving weekend. Afterwards, we watched USA tie to Latvia.
February 14
Happy Valentines!
In Zilina for a few meetings & plan to return to PO in the afternoon to see a few of my guys from my small group in a school benefit concert.
February 13
Continue reading through the currently starting the book of Judges & look forward to seeing God through these pages. In addition, at night, I am reading Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis. Truly an eye-opening book on what it means to be a Christian, what our role is & how everything points to God.
In one of his chapters, he encouraged me with a new insight on what it means to be a missionary. Too often, & I use to have this thought, missionaries are called to "take Jesus" to the field. However, that is the wrong perspective. Bell states, that "it is our task to go to a place & point out to the people there the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst." Rather then being called a missionary, he suggests that we should be called tour guides. He states that, "missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another & more about the identification of a God who is already there." He goes on to say, that its all about having good eyesight, or teaching people to use their eyes to see things that have always been there, but don't realize it. It is about seeing God where others don1t, & then you point Him out.
As I return to the field, I desire to have more of this type of view on my role then what I held onto when I first started. After all, as Bell states, "if you do see yourself carrying God to places, it can be exhausting. God is really heavy." (Velvet Elvis, pg. 87-88)
Meanwhile, today was an amazing day! I went to bed last night at around 11 & woke up at 7. I went to visit MPK-SK (Youth For Christ-SK). It was good to see many familiar faces. Afterwards, Peter & I went to the foreign police & obtained a 3-year visa. Yea I know what you are thinking, your time is short in SK, so why now? Prior to knowing my new role, I was already in the process of obtaining a visa, & felt compelled to obtain this amazing opportunity which was never shared with me before now.
In the afternoon, I left PO for Zilina. On my way, I saw for the first time, two foxes out in the snow-covered fields. It was an amazing sight! I arrived safely & spent the evening with a few "tour-guides" who serve in Zilina.
February 12
Wow, did I really wake up at 1pm!? Oh man, I have never done that. I feel like a zombie! This is the hardest adjustment I have had. I'd ask for your prayers during this time of adjustment. I spent the day in prayer and in the word. It was a great time.
Ok, so tonight, my roommate is watching Lost- Season 1 on television. I sat for a few minutes and watched where they crashed. No talking was going on until I heard in the background a few guys counting in Slovak. I was like, wait a second, this is in Slovak? I am such a dork- too much sleep or something. It is funny to see Lost now in Slovak.
Heading to bed!
February 11
It was great to see my friends last night. After we got caught up, we watched an episode of Slovak Superstar, which is like our American Idol. After lunch, some of my small group guys came over and we got caught up. It was fun hearing their stories and seeing their pictures related to their graduation party they had back in Jan.
A married couple came over for dinner and a movie. It was also good to get caught up with them. I went to bed and woke up at 3am only to go back to bed at 5 am only to wake up at 1pm oh man it is going to take some time to readjust to the time changes.
February 10
Ok. I went to bed last night at around 11:30 pm trying to stay up that late was hard, but after I went to bed, I woke up at around 3:00 am, went back to bed at 4:30 am and did not get out of bed until 12 or so. I feel like a zombie! But doing good.
Went out to get some fresh bread and a few groceries. Stayed in most of the day to unpack and make a grocery list. I will go visit the KECY team who is hosting a welcome party for me and then will go food shopping. Man is it cold here with snow everywhere!
February 9
Traveled over the Atlantic, never got any sleep, arrived safe and sound. Thankful for all my bags arriving and for sleeping in my bed!
February 8
Heading to the airport! Please pray for safe travels, healing hearts as I depart from friends and family and for a smooth re-entry into the ministry in Slovakia.
I have so many fond memories going back with me. From the Michael Card concert, to celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, celebrating New Years with friends, eating all the Mexican food & Pals I could get a hold of. To the comfort of dryer sheets from warm clothes, to drinking plenty of Root Beer, to seeing UT Football & Basketball, & taking my dog to the park. Lets not forget going to Disney, being at the beach for a few days, to worshipping our Lord at the Youth Specialties Conference, being in corporate worship at various churches, and just being around my parents, family and friends! I thank God for these memories and look forward to the new ones that will be made as I continue in the adventure with the Lord in Eastern Europe. Thanks God for your ultimate blessing, your presence, and for the gifts you provide. I am returning refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to serve you!
Cannot wait to have halusky and see all of my friends in PO! I will write more when I arrive.
February 7
Had a great quiet time with the Lord on how He suffered and died for me to give me a clear conscience. I focused on Heb. 9:14.
Today was my last full day in the states. I am wrapping things up, packing up the bags and saying my good-byes. I have enjoyed my time and will miss so many things, but know that I am to return to the field. Thanks for all your support.
February 6
'For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.' - Heb. 10:14
I agree with Piper in his definition of being sanctified- we are imperfect and in process. So many times, this ordinary person does stupid things, and seeks forgiveness. God wants to use me, an ordinary person, to do extraordinary things for His glory. Piper says, 'we fight against our sin not simply to become perfect, but because we are.' How true! As we walk this journey with the Lord, we are already made perfect, yet our battle is with sin.
Lord, today, may I know your perfection in me, Jesus Christ.
Week of January 30 - February 5
Monday - Friday: Relaxed around the house & prepared to head home. The weather changed almost every other day - hot, cold, warm, cooler, etc. etc.
On Thursday, mom and I went to visit some friends/supporters a few hours away. Thanks Miriam, Jim, Aaron and Micah for a great night.
In addition, I have had some great moments with God as I1ve been reading through Piper's Passion of Jesus Christ book with the following quotes encouraging me:
"To be in Christ, means to be in relationship to him by faith." (Rom. 8:1)
"The cross means freedom from the enslavement of ritual." (Gal. 5:11)
"When Christ died, he secured for his people not only new hearts but new security." (Jer. 32:40)
Saturday: Dad and I headed to K-town to see the up & coming UT Men's basketball team. The arena was packed, energy flowed, and another great win behind their belts. Go big orange!
Sunday: It snowed! All I can think of is that as I prepare to head home, God has a sense of humor and is getting me ready for similar weather back in Slovakia. It was a great day to be with my mom and dad to watch the Super Bowl. Those wondering, I went for Seattle since they were the underdogs. Yea I know, Cedric is on the Steelers team.
As for commercials - my favorites were the "streaker" Bud one and the one with the dead fly- humorous but don't ask me what company it was. Ok, the cutest one was the Clydesdales pushing the cart.
