October Newsletter - Mark in Slovakia

Ahoj and Greetings from Slovakia. I can't believe it is already October.
I want to again thank all of you who have and continue to support me
through prayer. It helps to know that we are together in the Lord
despite however far apart we may be. Please continue to pray for me and
the other young adult volunteers around the world.
I have been writing some other updates on my Blog for those of you who
are Internet savvy. The address is http://www.moltron.net/blog/
I also have many more pictures available at
http://flickr.com/photos/themoltron
Having been in Vrbovce for about 2 months, I am starting to become
familiar with the people and customs. I feel like I have a place in the
village.
Here is a small list of things I enjoy about living in Vrbovce.
- Seeing many of the same faces all the time
- The music and announcements over the village loudspeaker system 3 or 4
times a day
- When ever you are invited anywhere you will have some Slivovica (Plum
Brandy)
- Delivering lunches to the old ladies most everyday in the old car
- The made up language I have with the other volunteers. Oliver and Flo,
a mixture of Slovak, German and English
As I struggle with learning the language one word that I keep hearing
and repeating in my head is "Pomaly" or slowly/gently. The word has made
me think a lot about how I think about and do things. We all have a
tendency to want things fast and in a hurry. I am enjoying the slower
pace of life and learning how to enjoy the small moments and
experiences. I am learning to spend time with people, listen even if I
don't understand very much and take things as they come instead of
trying to stick to a schedule. I am reminded of one occasion when
Oliver, Flo and I were on our way to the school to eat lunch when one of
the neighbors needed some help. So we stopped and helped her haul
several bags of potatoes. It was a rather small favor. She then invited
us for Kava (coffee). Not being masters of the language we couldn't
politely say we had to go eat lunch at the school. So we had coffee,
which then turned into lunch. I am often overwhelmed by such kind and
random hospitality. I can see Christ reflected in the small things, like
being invited for coffee and it turning into lunch when we didn't even
do very much to deserve it. This is only one of many such stories.
I have never been a huge fan of wearing sweaters. As the weather gets
colder I am finding the layer system quite wonderful, which often
includes sweaters. One of the big things in Vrbovce is the Cultural
Hall. Every village in Slovakia has one. The one in Vrbovce is rather
run down and is right now being used for storage of the many things
donated from Germany or other parts of Europe. These items include
useless medical equipment, beds, furniture, lights, and clothes. We are
often asked to move things or thrown things away as the process of
cleaning up and renovating the culture hall is starting to take place.
The villagers are appreciative of any work that we do and often give us
cookies, cakes or Slivovica. Many fun times have been had looking at old
junk and sometimes taking things for our own use. One time we made an
imaginary car from some old junk and proceeded to make fun of our daily
lunch run. Many things are rather ridiculous but, a warm sweater is a
warm sweater and a nice couch is a nice couch. I look forward to helping
in the renovation process and seeing what will happen.
As part of getting to know the culture I have joined the local futball
team (soccer in the US), We practice once or twice a week and I have
made many friends and I am getting to know and use the language. I am
not that greatest at futball but, the rest of the players appreciate my
efforts and we often joke about it. I have enjoyed the exercise as well
as the opportunity to have a more active part in village life. I also
sing in the Choir, which has been a very much enjoyable language lesson.
I may not understand all I'm singing but I'm learning to pronounce it
correctly. We sang one of the songs we have been practicing during the
birthday of the church, "Mam Velkeho Moceneho Krala" which means ...I
Have A Great Mighty King
I teach once a week at the local school where I assist with 2 English
classes and I am teaching some of the local village youth how to play
drum set. Both have been an interesting experience. I am struggling to
understand and communicate with the children but I am understanding and
speaking more everyday. Many of the kids try to joke around with me and
are interested mostly in learning "Dirty Verbs" as they call them. I try
my best to teach them proper and clean English.
There are 3 girls, Monika, Dominika and Veronika (they happen to be
triplets) who on occasion spend some time tutoring me and the 2 other
Germans volunteers in Slovak. It has been nice making new friends and
learning to have more detailed conversations in the process. I have made
2 observations in regards to dealing with the village kids. 1) All kids
are the same: Silly, Loud and Mischievous 2) Simple is always better
One weekend Vrbovce had its annual Jarmok (Market). The center of town
was filled with many people and vendors were selling things on the
streets. Clothing, Food, Handicrafts, etc. I saw many familiar faces
from the school and from church. The night before we had decorated
cookies with the youth group which were sold at the market. I had the
opportunity to buy some raffle tickets from the school. I didn't win
anything but; standing in the cold weather surrounded by tons of people
listening for my number to be called in Slovak was exciting.
I look forward to sharing many more stories with you as the year unfolds.
One of the things I have been asked to write about is how I see my role
as a Missionary. I have been reading some essays by a theologian Thomas
Morten. I have found a quote that I think sums of what mission is:
"Christ has planted in the world the seeds of something altogether new,
but they do not grow by themselves. Hence history has never yet really
had a chance to become a Christian creation. For the world to be
changed, man himself must begin to change it, he must take the
initiative, he must step forth and make a new kind of history. The
change begins within himself." Thomas Merton
As much as we want to change the world we must first let Christ
transform us. God has chosen US to be a part of global transformation.
It isn't easy; it is never easy to change. Christ's ultimate goal is
that hearts are transformed by his grace. We start by learning to really
love others and ourselves as Christ loved.
I am here in Slovakia not to change the people around me but, to let
Christ change me so that his love may be shown to those for whom I am
called to witness.
"This is real Love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends,
since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one
has ever seen God. But, if we love each other, God lives in us and his
love has been brought to full expression through us." 1 John 4:10-12
Learning to Be Loved and To Love. Learning to see Christ in others and
ourselves. Dying to sin and being Raised again to Live in God's Mercy.
That is what we are called to as Christians. That is our Mission.
God's unbounded love be with you.
Your Fellow Servant and Brother in Christ
Serving in Slovakia
Mark