Dobryden! (Good day!)

Various people from our team will be writing for the upcoming blogs. Following are comments from Brant, Jade, and Liz...

From Brant...
Dobryden (good day)! We've been having a blast participating in ministry in Hermanovce and Hlinne. We spent Thursday with the Hermanovce youth having a snowball fight, building snow forts, playing ultimate frisbee, and participating in fun activities, through which we have been able to build relationships. It is awesome to see how big God is in that He is the God of all people and of all languages.

On Friday and Saturday we stayed busy with ministry in Hlinne working with Roma children. Many of us have shared a Bible lesson, a testimony, or played games with the children. We have been excited to see the kids, build relationships, and share Christ with them. They have been excited to see us. I must say when they sing it comes from deep within them. It is awesome to sing with them.

Sunday the team sat in on the church sevice in Hermanovce. Being the first Sunday of the month, other villages joined together for communion and a community lunch. It was a joy to be a part of the community of believers.

The team was asked to present a program after lunch to share ourselves with the church. We shared a children's song ("Praise Ye the Lord") and two common worship songs. "Betka" (Bethany) shared her testimony. Jade played a special music piece on the violin. I was able to share a message from God's Word. Heather, Amy, and Jade presented a short music drama, which has also been used for Timber-lee's winter retreats.

We have done a lot, but there is still a lot to do. Please pray for us to have renewed strength. Pray that our translators would communicate well. Pray that God (through us) would encourage the ministry workers here.

Dovidenia! (Goodbye for now!)

Brant

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From Jade...
As I was asked to share, my mind goes in a million directions. So please forgive my randomness! :)

1. Things observed about believers here:
**The Roma children have such sincere worship. They truly sing their hearts out and it is inspiring!
**The people are soo hospitable. They are all so giving and want to serve us while we are here.

2. Going beyond the language barrier – One thing I and many on our team were worried about was how we could be effective despite the language barrier. Here are some ways we have connected without words:
**Games
**Music, They love hearing our music and it is something we can both read!
**Snow, Let me tell you, guys are the same here… We went on a hike with some youth here and while we were out the guys sabotaged the girls with snowballs!

3. God “sightings” – (Where we have specifically seen God at work)
**Safety in traveling
**Getting through the airport. The weight limit of each bag is 50 lbs. We had one bag that was full of climbing equipment. There is no way that bag was 50lbs. or less. Anyways, the airline registration attendant checked our bags without weighing them!
**The week we were able to come fell on the youth’s spring break, giving us more opportunities.
**Resources being available - We led a church service this past Sunday and as we were planning we were seeking more to fill up the time. So I offered to play something on the violin, but unsure how that would work seeing I didn’t bring my instrument. Needless to say God provided a violin.

God has been good! Our team continues to grow together and God continues to put opportunities to minister in front of us. Please continue to pray for us and that we would be tools to give Him all the glory and honor He deserves!

In Christ, Jade

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From Liz...

-Habakkuk 1:5-
“Look among the nations and see;
wonder and be astounded,
For I am doing a work in your days,
that you would not believe if told.”

This verse stands true as we are coming alongside the ministry here in Slovakia. The Lord is doing a great work in the hearts & lives of the people here. Already they have been a blessing to my heart. I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve & be a blessing to them as we are here.

The church here is a symbol in the community as a place of joy, hope, and refuge. One can only find that in trusting in the Lord. The people of Slovakia have very little, yet they serve with their whole heart in all that they do. They make sacrifices each and every day, whether it’s food, money, or their time. Not long ago, this church began children & youth programs throughout the week for youth in a village called Hlinne where the Roma live.

Over the past week that we have been here, the children’s & youth programming has been our biggest form of ministry. The first day as we walked into the room full of children who spoke a completely different language, it amazed me how we were still able to communicate through our actions & expressions. It was such a beautiful thing, especially when we all gathered together to sing praises to our God. It was a room filled with children praising their Savior at the top of their lungs & with their whole heart.

This morning I read a verse in 2 Corinthians 3:18...
“And we all with an unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”

Praise the Lord for the work He is doing in our lives & through us as we reach out & embrace these people with Christ’s love!

Liz