Living In Slovakia: 12 Weeks
My last 4 weeks in Slovakia passed so fast. Last update I had written, I was in Banska Bystrica about to do school promotions for Fusion camp, and those went well! We had about 8 class presentations about Fusion and camp this summer. One thing that is super interesting that you will never see in American schools, is the freedom to promote your faith or religious programs in classrooms. It's really cool opportunity for the ministries in these Eastern European countries that JV is in.
After spending the week in Banska and hanging out with the Fusion kids, I headed back to Bratislava to have Easter with the Chases. Easter was very different away from home... After 18 years of huge celebrations at a church of 1400 people, with choirs and orchestras, and everyone dressed up, it was strange to be in a more laid back, small celebration without family. But nonetheless, it was a great day of celebrating Christ's resurrection and I was once again so thankful to be surrounded by people like the Chases.
One thing that stood out to me in those next couple days was the encouragement I had received randomly it seemed... The biggest thing that I wanted to focus on while living in Slovakia was understanding more deeply the concept of who "Christ In Me" really is. This started to click for me, as you might remember in my previous updates. Living and serving with Christ inside of me and guiding me every step was becoming easier and natural to the point where I didn't have to think about it as much... and then I got these messages from dear friends that I had met in different cities around Slovakia. One in which included the words, "I can feel that Christ live inside you" and another including, "Jesus in you". These brought tears to my eyes as I realized just how much Christ has done in my heart in just a matter of months. What an answer to prayer that after seeking God to be my identity and make me into "Christ In Me", I get these messages of encouragement as if God was saying, "You're on the right track, kid." I realize how I stopped asking for Him to change me into a better person, and that I instead opened the door for Him to just rid me of myself and bring more of Him into me. I think as Christians it becomes easy to fall into spending so much effort, time, and prayer asking God to change us, make us better, but really, it's not about US at all. It's about asking God to not change us, but remove us from this life because there is nothing good in our flesh. We desire to make a difference in this world for our Father, to please Him, but we forget that that's impossible for us; the only one that can make an impact for God's kingdom is God Himself. And yes, He can and does use us, but only when we set ourselves aside.
That was really my last "calm" week, if you will... I was still teaching workshops, teaching English in the high school, and helping with Fusion, but I got a bit of rest. ;) Then we went to Spring Conference.. Oh my. I can not explain how blessed I was by this week and those people. I felt like a part of the JV family in so many ways and I could never have asked for that. Each person that I had the honor to meet was a blessing to me. And in turn made leaving a week and a half later all the harder.
Following that conference, I went straight to EXIT Tour in Lyptovksy Hradok where I helped present Fusion to students in their schools and share Fusion's values. This was a great opportunity for me and once again I was shown how much God is at work in Slovakia... There is a movement starting in this country and it is amazing and powerful and so exciting to witness and be a part of! There was another tiny detail that stood out to me though here... At the beginning of my time in Slovakia, I hated talking in front of groups of students... It was physically and mentally exhausting and I dreaded it. And then I was in the middle of talking to a class of 7th graders about why I was in Slovakia, and how God influences the songs that I write... I couldn't help but notice that I enjoyed this. I felt joy doing this! I have no explanation for this other than God, is INCREDIBLE.
Since the beginning of April, I've discovered this passion for the ministries and people here in Slovakia has been growing inside of me. Constant thoughts of what life as a missionary would look like, how I would fit here, and the longing that I have to be in Slovakia and be a part of this team. This is something I have never felt or experienced before, which is why it was very hard for me to define. Having never felt this before, I couldn't help but think, "Is this a call from God?"And while part of me said, "Absolutely!" I also let doubt creep into my mind and question everything. I started to believe that if I was really CALLED by God to do something as crazy as be a missionary on the other side of the world, I wouldn't really want to do it at first. Sounds crazy, right? But for some reason, this has been a belief I've carried for awhile now. So with that I started examining my situation and thinking, well I clearly want to do this, so maybe it isn't a call from God... maybe it's just me being selfish. And I believed this and wrestled with it for a good week solid.
However, after a couple really great talks with some good friends also in the mission field, I realized there were several things that I had been overlooking.
1) I have never wanted to be a part of the mission field. Period. In fact I wanted NOT to be a part of the mission field.
2) I tried working with youth ministry in the past... I hated it.
These have been life long truths for me, and in a matter of months... they have completely changed. How is that possible?
1) I can see myself living across the world, serving with JV, with TCKompas, working with Fusion, KPM, EXIT tour... I can see all of it, and it makes me EXCITED!!
2) I get pumped to work with teenagers, to teach them music, to talk with them, to walk around downtown with them, to take ridiculous selfies with them... I mean what is this?? 4 months ago I avoided youth ministry like the plague!
Talking with these friends I started to accept that God gives us a passion for the plans that He has for us. He doesn't just call us into ministries or through doors just for us to dread every step along the road. He gives us passion so that we can wholeheartedly serve Him. Amen.
Now, I don't write these updates or share these thoughts for my own appreciation, praise, or attention, but because I want the world to know how God has been in work in the world and in me. I write these words and share my experiences because I believe we are all called to encourage each other with our testimonies; with the proof of God in our lives. I think of Romans 15:18, where it says, "For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." Are we not called to testify to God's miracles in our lives and proclaim them to the world? Please know that I share these thoughts and experiences so that God may use them however He wishes and to glorify and praise Him for what He has done and is doing and will continue to do.
So now I sit at home, in good old Fort Collins, Colorado, missing my dear, dear friends in Slovakia but at peace knowing that this passion I feel is from my Father, and it is there for a reason. And I will discover it soon enough.
For those of you who have been praying for these adventures of mine, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have felt your prayers and God's hand over every part of my journey, and I don't say that lightly. And if you would like to continue praying for me, please pray for clarity for the future. I would love to pursue an 8 month internship with JV in Slovakia again this coming February through October. This of course will require a lot of prayer, and a lot of financial support.
I appreciate you all for reading my thoughts and allowing me to share my heart. :)
Eating with the Fusion kids in Banska Bystrica after a hike in the mountains.
Taking Selfies at the Fusion Bratislava Concert!
After spending the week in Banska and hanging out with the Fusion kids, I headed back to Bratislava to have Easter with the Chases. Easter was very different away from home... After 18 years of huge celebrations at a church of 1400 people, with choirs and orchestras, and everyone dressed up, it was strange to be in a more laid back, small celebration without family. But nonetheless, it was a great day of celebrating Christ's resurrection and I was once again so thankful to be surrounded by people like the Chases.
One thing that stood out to me in those next couple days was the encouragement I had received randomly it seemed... The biggest thing that I wanted to focus on while living in Slovakia was understanding more deeply the concept of who "Christ In Me" really is. This started to click for me, as you might remember in my previous updates. Living and serving with Christ inside of me and guiding me every step was becoming easier and natural to the point where I didn't have to think about it as much... and then I got these messages from dear friends that I had met in different cities around Slovakia. One in which included the words, "I can feel that Christ live inside you" and another including, "Jesus in you". These brought tears to my eyes as I realized just how much Christ has done in my heart in just a matter of months. What an answer to prayer that after seeking God to be my identity and make me into "Christ In Me", I get these messages of encouragement as if God was saying, "You're on the right track, kid." I realize how I stopped asking for Him to change me into a better person, and that I instead opened the door for Him to just rid me of myself and bring more of Him into me. I think as Christians it becomes easy to fall into spending so much effort, time, and prayer asking God to change us, make us better, but really, it's not about US at all. It's about asking God to not change us, but remove us from this life because there is nothing good in our flesh. We desire to make a difference in this world for our Father, to please Him, but we forget that that's impossible for us; the only one that can make an impact for God's kingdom is God Himself. And yes, He can and does use us, but only when we set ourselves aside.
That was really my last "calm" week, if you will... I was still teaching workshops, teaching English in the high school, and helping with Fusion, but I got a bit of rest. ;) Then we went to Spring Conference.. Oh my. I can not explain how blessed I was by this week and those people. I felt like a part of the JV family in so many ways and I could never have asked for that. Each person that I had the honor to meet was a blessing to me. And in turn made leaving a week and a half later all the harder.
Following that conference, I went straight to EXIT Tour in Lyptovksy Hradok where I helped present Fusion to students in their schools and share Fusion's values. This was a great opportunity for me and once again I was shown how much God is at work in Slovakia... There is a movement starting in this country and it is amazing and powerful and so exciting to witness and be a part of! There was another tiny detail that stood out to me though here... At the beginning of my time in Slovakia, I hated talking in front of groups of students... It was physically and mentally exhausting and I dreaded it. And then I was in the middle of talking to a class of 7th graders about why I was in Slovakia, and how God influences the songs that I write... I couldn't help but notice that I enjoyed this. I felt joy doing this! I have no explanation for this other than God, is INCREDIBLE.
Since the beginning of April, I've discovered this passion for the ministries and people here in Slovakia has been growing inside of me. Constant thoughts of what life as a missionary would look like, how I would fit here, and the longing that I have to be in Slovakia and be a part of this team. This is something I have never felt or experienced before, which is why it was very hard for me to define. Having never felt this before, I couldn't help but think, "Is this a call from God?"And while part of me said, "Absolutely!" I also let doubt creep into my mind and question everything. I started to believe that if I was really CALLED by God to do something as crazy as be a missionary on the other side of the world, I wouldn't really want to do it at first. Sounds crazy, right? But for some reason, this has been a belief I've carried for awhile now. So with that I started examining my situation and thinking, well I clearly want to do this, so maybe it isn't a call from God... maybe it's just me being selfish. And I believed this and wrestled with it for a good week solid.
However, after a couple really great talks with some good friends also in the mission field, I realized there were several things that I had been overlooking.
1) I have never wanted to be a part of the mission field. Period. In fact I wanted NOT to be a part of the mission field.
2) I tried working with youth ministry in the past... I hated it.
These have been life long truths for me, and in a matter of months... they have completely changed. How is that possible?
1) I can see myself living across the world, serving with JV, with TCKompas, working with Fusion, KPM, EXIT tour... I can see all of it, and it makes me EXCITED!!
2) I get pumped to work with teenagers, to teach them music, to talk with them, to walk around downtown with them, to take ridiculous selfies with them... I mean what is this?? 4 months ago I avoided youth ministry like the plague!
Talking with these friends I started to accept that God gives us a passion for the plans that He has for us. He doesn't just call us into ministries or through doors just for us to dread every step along the road. He gives us passion so that we can wholeheartedly serve Him. Amen.
Now, I don't write these updates or share these thoughts for my own appreciation, praise, or attention, but because I want the world to know how God has been in work in the world and in me. I write these words and share my experiences because I believe we are all called to encourage each other with our testimonies; with the proof of God in our lives. I think of Romans 15:18, where it says, "For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." Are we not called to testify to God's miracles in our lives and proclaim them to the world? Please know that I share these thoughts and experiences so that God may use them however He wishes and to glorify and praise Him for what He has done and is doing and will continue to do.
So now I sit at home, in good old Fort Collins, Colorado, missing my dear, dear friends in Slovakia but at peace knowing that this passion I feel is from my Father, and it is there for a reason. And I will discover it soon enough.
For those of you who have been praying for these adventures of mine, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have felt your prayers and God's hand over every part of my journey, and I don't say that lightly. And if you would like to continue praying for me, please pray for clarity for the future. I would love to pursue an 8 month internship with JV in Slovakia again this coming February through October. This of course will require a lot of prayer, and a lot of financial support.
I appreciate you all for reading my thoughts and allowing me to share my heart. :)
Eating with the Fusion kids in Banska Bystrica after a hike in the mountains.
The precious girls I got to hang out with every few weeks!
Fusion Camp Promotions in Banska
My second family across the ocean. I've been incredibly blessed by these people in so many ways over the last few months and I know they will continue to impact my life.
Some of the girls I got to meet helping with EXIT tour.
FUSION BRATISLAVA CONCERT!!
My guitar students in Fusion :) Love these girls!
I've been so lucky to meet so many amazing servants of Christ and these guys are some of them!
I already miss these clowns.
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