Mark's Missionary Notes
Ahoj and Greetings from Slovakia.
Well here is my March Update. My March was spent mostly in preparation
for Easter or Velka Noc. I was great to experience some of the very
unique customs and celebrations. March was also filled with many guests
and fun.
And as usual 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/
I also have many more pictures available at
http://flickr.com/photos/themoltron
I have continued to teach English in school. I find it one of the most
challenging things I do here. I try to plan exciting and interesting
lessons but every week it is a gamble. Sometimes they seem interested
and other times not. As my Slovak is getting better it makes teaching
more difficult because they don't want to speak English. Despite this
frustration I keep trying, they are learning probably more than I think.
I have also been teaching drum lessons to several of the kids. This is
also a challenge because sometimes they kids show up and sometimes they
don't. I have to remind them to come often. When they do show up I enjoy it.
The weeks leading up to Velka Noc were a fun time in youth group. We
took the time to read the story of Jesus' journey to the cross. We then
made an illustrated time line. It was amazing how many things we forget.
We sometimes think we are familiar with story of Easter that we forget
to remind ourselves of the details. It took us 2 weeks to read, draw and
discuss the events. For me, it helped to get a better picture of the
passion of Christ and just how great Christ's love is for us. I can only
hope that the youth somehow got as much out of it as I did.
Good Friday or Velky Piatok was a big service. We had about 400 people
at the service. The church was packed. I sang with the choir and heard
the kids' choir sing. They had the brass ensemble perform and some
people play guitar. It was fantastic. Communion is served only at larger
events and significant times during the church year. It took about an
hour for everyone to receive it.
The Saturday of Velka Noc, or Biela Sabotu, we had more youth than
usual. Mostly from young people returning from school for the holiday.
We played a quiz game about the events of the Resurrection and
immediately after. With questions like, how many times did Jesus appear
to his followers after his death? How many people saw Jesus Alive? The
answers aren’t simple and it sparked some lively debate and thorough
searching of the bible for answers. From what I have found Jesus
appeared at least 5 times and he appeared to at least 20 people
according to combined facts from all the gospels. Don't take my word for
it. Find out for yourself.
The Monday after Easter was filled with a very unusual tradition. The
tradition involves young men getting girls wet and then hitting them
with green branches called a Korbača. The girls then give the guys
Chocolate and a Ribbon to be proudly displayed on the boy's Korbača.
Basically this only process is a huge flirting ritual. I had one of the
youth guys make me a Korbača.
Flo, one of the other volunteers from Germany, was leaving early Monday
morning. We waited until midnight and went to visit Zorka, who is the
vicar and lives next door in our building. We knocked on her door and
when she opened it, she was rather surprised. Nothing quite like being
splashed with water and being hit by Korbača and then reciting the rhyme
goes with it. "Šibi ryby mastné ryby, kus kolača od korbača" She then
gave us a ribbon with her name on it and chocolate.
After Zorka we travel to another house that at 3 young ladies living
there. When the first girl answered the door we surprised her with
water. She then told us to wait so she could get her sister. At the same
time the mother Shouted, "Already, it's so early, quick give me your
water buckets, I'll go fill them." It was quite a shock to see the
mother and the other girls helping us. After all the girls had gone
through the ritual we were invited in for coffee and snacks and each
girl gave us a ribbon for our Korbača. Well it was early in the morning
so no one else was up so, we went to bed. Later in the morning at a more
reasonable hour I went around the village with some of the other young
men participated in this ritual at several other houses. It was a fun
day and I met many nice girls.
They also traditionally have a small service. The Pastor arranges for
all the doors to be locked except for one. Then when all the ladies file
out of the Church he can hit them with his Korbača. Apparently they
considered it Good Luck, and wishes for Health and Beauty in the future
when they are hit by a Korbača. With the women being treated like it is
often said they boys should watch out the next day but usually nothing
happens.
March was also filled with a variety of Guests. Flo's family arrived to
spend Easter weekend in Vrbovce and then go to the High Tatry. It great
to meet new people and see the family of people I work so closely with.
His mother father and 2 younger sisters were quite a joy. Zorka and I
were invited to join in their family Easter egg hunt/walk after the
Service on Easter. When Flo and his family left for the High Tatry
another group of guests arrived the next day. Oli had spent his Easter
in Germany with family and arrived back with his Pastor and 2 friends.
They spoke decent English and Oli was able to translate well. I also
have been picking up a little German too so that helped. We had some
interesting conversations about life in Slovakia. They were here in
Vrbovce for about 3 days before they returned. After all these big
events I was feeling a little tired and wanted to return to a somewhat
normal routine.
Well, what I have I learned this month? I learned how Slovak's celebrate
Easter or Velka Noc. I learned and strange tradition of hit girls with
sticks the day after Velka Noc. I have also been learning about patience
and catching God's plan. Much like the Disciple's after Good Friday, I
sometimes think, "Where is God?" When I'm frustrated with working on
something I see no end to or I'm teaching English with kids who really
have not interest or when I have to chase to remind kids tom come to
youth group or drum lessons all the time and then they don't show up.
The disciples heard everything Jesus said but they just weren't sure
what was next. On Easter and many times after Jesus reminded them, "I'm
here! I'm Alive".
We too need to be reminded that Jesus died for our sins but he is a
Living God. When the 2 women went to take care of Jesus' body in the
tomb, they met an Angel who said, "Why are you looking for the living
among the dead?" We must ask this question to ourselves when we are
frustrated or lack vision. The fact that Jesus was resurrected as he
promised makes all his other promises more real. How can a dead God keep
his promises? He can't but Jesus is Alive.
I am reminding myself of God's Grace everyday that he is working, he is
living. I may not see results of my work now or even in a few months but
God is there, walking with me through all my joys and frustrations.
Lord,
Thank you that we worship you, a Living God
One who keeps his Promises
Help us to remember
You are Alive and walking with us
This is not another figure of speech, it is True
You showed yourself to the Disciples
And later gave of yourself to them your Holy Spirit.
We are your Disciples too!!
In your Holy Name, a name that has power of the living and the dead
Jesus Christ
God's Blessings and Peace be with you,
- Christ’s Servant in Slovakia
Mark
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