Two Years In Slovakia
The past two years have whirled by, and when I think of trying to describe the richness of my time here, I realize that it is impossible. I’ll just describe a few snapshots…
I’ve stood on a stage and welcomed more than 400 Slovak high school students and 70 Americans to camp as the band rocked behind me and the kids screamed for more. I’ve taken care of American college students who have given their summers to serve God in a country far away from home. I’ve painted walls in an elementary school and scraped linoleum off of the floors at the University. I’ve climbed small mountains in Poland as I participated in our college camp, NEXT, which we modeled after the American TV show “The Amazing Race”. (That camp also involved hitch-hiking across the country, eating snickers bars in bus stations, repelling down cliffs, looking for clues in caves, and walking barefoot across a small river.) I’ve struggled like crazy to learn the Slovak language so I can stop saying stupid things like, “Would you please throw-up on my food?” to strangers. (By the way, I was TRYING to say, “Would you please put my food in a to-go bag?”) I’ve learned to celebrate small successes like only falling completely down on the ice once so far this year…and being able to communicate well enough to get my dog an appointment for a wash, a cut, and his nails clipped. I’ve stood on the highest peak in Slovakia. I’ve struggled to walk to work through deep snow and over very slick ice. I’ve enjoyed friendship with some of the most interesting and wonderful people I’ve ever known. I’ve seen lives change and hearts melt and deep friendships grow. I’ve prayed with church leaders as they crash through the tired traditions of legalism and bring an exciting, fresh reminder to the people of Slovakia that our God is a God who knows our names and longs to be in relationship with us. In short, I have seen God’s grace reach into the most impossible places and produce amazing works of redemption. I’ve been in the most incredible places, doing the most incredible things. The past two years in Slovakia have been two of the best years in my life. Today, as I celebrate my two year anniversary, I thank God for the opportunity to be here!
