“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.” Jesus
Dear Prayer Partners,
I (Vic) would like to share a few updates with you from our last month.
Mom’s Bible Study
Darla will begin her first Mom’s Bible study March 2 forming from the Moms In Touch prayer group that she has organized the last 2 years at Narnia School. We are really excited about this opportunity. She has 5 moms committed, including one mother, Kvetka, (Ana’s previous class teacher), who will be having her first child due date: March 10th!
Majka
Many of you have met Majka, our 17 year old Slovak friend. We have asked you to pray for her, as she has been in the hospital for over two weeks now. She seems to have some psychological difficulties, and it has not been easy for her or her family. I can say that through it all, she has been really learning about God and His love and care. Her spirit is obviously much more teachable than before this hardship. She hopefully will be going home by the end of the week, though she will be out of school for several more days and on medication for at least a year. We are grateful that God is working all things together for His good.
Spiritual Renewal Retreat
Our Teachoverseas Spiritual Renewal Winter retreat went well, and Darla did a great job organizing it. After several weeks of praying and waiting, God brought forth a speaker for the retreat, Patrick Higgins, an American missionary planting a Calvary Chapel Church in Bratislava. It was obvious that this was God’s chosen man to speak to our team. One team member said:
Today being the day of our retreat, I have a different answer about my frustrations with ministering in Slovakia than I would have had yesterday. I had been feeling frustrated and condemned, as Patrick put it. The time spent with team in prayer and worship was very renewing. Patrick’s talk also helped a lot in thinking about our mission here, possible reasons for frustration, and ways to deal with frustration and condemnation. I need to remember that God is at the center of all I do, and He will work wonders with or without my help. The world of ministry in Slovakia doesn’t rest on my shoulders. Kate from PA
We also took an afternoon trip after the retreat to a small village 30 minutes from Bratislava to enjoy swimming togther. We had an unusual turn of events when we arrived back to the train station that night to find that the train going to Bratislava (30 minute trip) would be 55 minutes late in coming. Attached is a picture of some of our team members making good use of the time as we were waiting for the train.
We just returned back to school on Monday after our 1 week winter break. As a family we decided to be at home and enjoy daily simplicities like playing in the snow, going sledding, and meeting with a few of our students and friends. We took Maja and Lucy ice skating for their first time, of course they are both great on roller blades so it was no problem for them. We spent an evening at Brano and Kvetka's home drinking coffee and talking about contentment. We also went sledding behind our flat near the bus terminal, then we realized that there are no dog toilet zones in Petrazlka, so that night all snow gear had to be washed, the next day we chose to travel to one of the city parks on the top of the Small Carpathian Mountain Range, not only was it a much longer ride down, but also people are a bit more polite where they walk their dogs, so it was a more enjoyable experience.
Please Pray for:
Majka-God's Word to soak in her heart and her mind
Mom's Bible Study-The women to be committed to attendance and homework and that they would feel God meeting the needs of their hearts.
Kvetka & Brano-We have invited Kvetka and Brano to join us for church. This would bring great joy to Kvetka if Brano shared in her faith in Christ, pray that Brano would not only be receptive to God's Word and prayer, but to recognize Jesus Christ as the truth, the way and the life. Pray for the birth of their son.
Darla will be sharing at a women's retreat in Austria March 27-29. Pray for an anointing, confidence, and God's direction.
If you would also continue to pray for us in the midst of this decision time. We have been feeling so much confusion and one thing that we are certain of, God is not the author of confusion. Pray we would experience peace as we wait to hear God's voice, pray our ears would not be blocked, and that God would clearly reveal His good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.
We are very grateful for the investment of your prayers for us and God's work in Slovakia.
Blessings,
Vic, Darla, Dominic & Ana
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