Hello!
The Slovakia team of 9 arrived safely to Timber-lee yesterday evening. We had no problems getting to our destination. It was sad to have to leave our friends in Hermanovce, but we are all thrilled for the ministries that took place. We'll never forget our friends in Slovakia.
We'll post more later, so check back! For now, enjoy this video from the kids ministry in Hlenne, a nearby town. The team came to this kids ministry 3 times during our trip to teach a lesson, do a craft, sing songs, and play games. This video captures a tune that is familiar to our team. The kids would sing several Roma songs together at the beginning of each meeting, and later we would teach them an American song. Enjoy!
Ahoj! (Bye!)
Betka (Bethany)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Holy Spirit Moves
Hello Everyone, greetings from Slovakia! We just had an incredible night of ministry at the Hlinne church this evening. First of all it is always amazing to hear the Hlinne people sing. You can just tell it is deep from within them.
Our teams participation started with Paul Huck giving his testimony. He did a great job in making it real to the people there. One man at the end of the service even stood up and told everyone how Paul's testimony convicted him of areas of his life he was not fully giving to God. The man said after he heard Paul speak that he had to confess his sins and give every part of his life to Jesus. That in itself was just great to see how God was working.
Jon Hill followed with giving a really good sermon on Light vs. Darkness and how even as Christians we can be tempted by darkness, but that we need to constantly look to Jesus as our light and that God's word is a lamp unto our feet. Jade then came with an offertory violin piece "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross". Before she played she explained the words of the song in which many of the people responded with "Amen", or "Alleluia".
The last part we conducted was leading the church in a few 'American' songs: "All in All", "Heart of Worship", "Open the Eyes of My Heart", and "Blessed be Your Name". The first three songs fit very well with the message and were not the original songs that we planned to share. So the Spirit led and we thankfully followed. The people here knew "Heart of Worship" and "Open the Eyes". So here we are, Slovaks and Americans, singing the same song but in two different languages, to a God who understands both. It was really a spirit-filled time with the people tonight.
Many of the congregation members at the end said how they were encouraged and challenged by what we shared. They gave us many thanks. I just wanted to say, don't thank us, thank the Lord for the way he orchestrated the evening. It truly was a God thing. May He receive all the glory for what was done in both the Slovaks' lives and ours. I hope you are encouraged by this story, as the team was encouraged tonight. Praise the Lord!
-Brant
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Building Relationships
As I write, our team has just gotten back home from a busy evening program with the Hlinne youth. This group of LCMs, like others in the past, continues to impress me with their love for children, passion for camp ministry, and skill in effectively building relationships with youth. I believe we are clearly communicating the importance of living a life that is submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our host ministry partners continue to tell us encouraging stories of how our coming to Slovakia is helping to further the work that is already being done. I am thankful for this collaboration. Thanks everyone for your prayers! LCMs, keep up the good work!
-Ed Hooke
Serve the Lord
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. Ephesians 6:7
I have been watching the adults here in Hermanovce. They truly work for the Lord and not for man.
Pastor Peter is the pastor of the church in Hermanovce, oversees Camp Opal, then is in charge of 5 other church stations, in nearby towns, where he also preaches. Maya is newly married, lives in her parent's house, helps with programs and fundraising for Camp Opal, and leads kids club and youth group programs in Hlinne three times a week. They are both very busy but make worshiping God through service a priority.
The people here have been an inspiration to how I look at service. I see the love of God working through Pastor Peter & Maya, and many more. When I serve I use to look for earthly benefit. I asked, "What am I going to get out of this? What will I learn?" That doesn't matter to me anymore. If I love God like I claim to do, I will love my neighbor & serve as an act of worship. Slovaks know how to serve the Lord. Praise God for their faith.
-Heather Labine
Monday, March 2, 2009
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
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