Dear Faithful Partners;
Thank you so much for praying for us and the work here in Bratislava this past month. We have been blessed to see many answers to your prayers. Dominic had a great missions trip to the Roma village in East Slovakia. There is much prejudice toward the Roma population here in Slovkia, consider the African-Americans in the 1950s & 1960s. Roma are expected to sit on the back of the bus, they are considered thieves and uneducated, and some Slovaks believe that within the Roma population there should be forced sterilization. You can see on Dominic's face how much joy he found in serving these oppressed children with a carnival, face painting and a skit; making the children's Saturday a happy one.
Another blessing for us was the opportunity we had as a family to serve a church plant in Nove Zamky by teaching English at an outreach English weekend camp held in North Slovakia in early May. Vic and I co-taught 8 beginning English speakers, three ladies, along with a mother/daughter, an aunt/niece and a grandma. We had such fun and the ladies really felt comfortable by Saturday evening. Sunday morning about 90% of the camp attendees came to the optional worship service where they heard a message on the forgiveness God extends to us through Christ.
Through the silence and waiting on the Lord the last several months, we can say we have been blessed with a deeper understanding of God's marvelous ways. We thank you for praying for us as we seek the next steps. Please continue to pray that God will clearly show us the path for our continued journey.
Majka is doing very well, which is miracle from God. She is attending youth group each Friday night, she was a part of the Roma missions trip, and her parents have been coming to church with her each Sunday evening. Majka's family is hosting a Slovak Bible Study in their home led by one of the lay leaders at our church. Majka said that when she first starting attending youth group on Fridays, she felt too old to be there with the "younger" teens and thought of the discos she could be at with her other friends, and now she can't imagine being anywhere else but with her Chrisitan friends at youth group on Friday nights. Praise His Mighty name! Continue to pray for Majka:
pray that Majka's heart will be flooded with light so that she can understand the wonderful future
He has promised to those He called.
that she realizes what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to his people.
Ephesians 1: 18
Now graduation testing is here and next Saturday the 22nd we will be saying "Congratulations" to our 2nd graduating class. Graduation customs in Slovakia are very different from those in America, but our school also has some similarities because CS Lewis is modeled after a Christian American school in Minneapolis called Minnehaha.
Students must take oral tests in two subject areas that they intend on pursuing after graduation, and since we are an English bilingual school, they must also complete the oral English exams. The week before testing, students have "home study"; they do not attend classes but use this week to prepare for the graduation oral exams. The Friday before "home study" is officially the Super Seniors last day of classes and they go through the halls with noise makers, singing, shouting, and throwing candy to all of the underclassmen.
The Friday WIK (Weekly Inspirational Klub) is dedicated to the Super Seniors and each class pays tribute to the graduating class. The almost graduates then go to the Old City and put their picture board (which includes all of their pictures and their class teachers picture) up in a store window and run through the cobblestone streets shouting, singing, and using their noise makers, carrying a hat to collect money for the big graduation party. This Monday students will begin the oral testing and will receive their scores by the next day. On Saturday at the sponsoring church there will be graduation ceremony with gowns and hats (this is NOT typical for Slovak students) and a dessert, cheese, and drink reception after the ceremony.
The teachers are planning to sing a song to the students. Vic and I also hope to give out their Bibles during the ceremony. Please pray that the Bibles arrive this week so we can sign them, wrap them and deliver them on Saturday. Air transportation has been delayed throughout Europe off and on because of the volcano ash from Iceland.
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
Please pray that the Living Power will be explored by these students
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As always thank you for partnering with us and impacting the Slovak people. We love to hear news from your lives and to be privileged to pray for you. Please send us a note, let us be blessed to be in contact with you.
Love
Darla for Vic, Dominic & Ana too!
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