The Joy That Comes From Following

8 weeks… EIGHT WEEKS! How has it been that long already since I came back to Slovakia?? Time is flying by so fast.

One thing that has been on my mind a lot in these last couple weeks is the amount of change that has happened in just the last year. I remember back to last year before I left to come here, and I remember a young, prideful, lost girl who was desperate to find healing and a sense of identity. And as I think through every month and every experience that has lead to this month, this day, I am in awe at the growth and maturity that God has cultivated in my heart. I remember the girl that came to Slovakia to run away from broken relationships, that wanted nothing to do with missionary life, that could care less about youth ministry but loved music… And now? It’s hard to believe that the woman I see in the mirror is thinking about living here in Slovakia for longer; that the woman in the mirror is more than content without a normal “college experience”; that the woman I see wants nothing more than to keep following where Christ leads her every day; and that the woman I see knows exactly who she is. God is so, so good.

I have experienced so much peace and joy in these last 8 weeks, I hope that I can give you a small glimpse of why and what that has looked like for me.

Week 4: We had just launched the fourth Fusion in Slovakia in Rača and though I have not been there personally since then, our team says that they are doing well and growing!

Week 5: That next week I was in Żilina to help prepare for the annual youth leaders conference. I had the privilege to attend this conference last year and also to help in some minor ways, and I was so incredibly blessed by the entire experience. I remember writing on this very blog about how amazed I was by the team that put the conference together. And this year was just the same! Now having known the team a little better and a little more personally, it was still incredible to watch how creative, encouraging, and humbly they work together. I had the opportunity to help musically again this year, and I got to sing with some amazing musicians. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to worship next to these strong, talented, Christ following musicians.

The conference overall was a huge success, in that it encouraged and taught youth leaders from all over Slovakia to keep on pursuing the Kingdom of God. It encouraged youth leaders to seek the keys to the kingdom, to remain solid in their faith and to then reach out to those around them with the love of Christ. At these widespread events, I feel it is so easy for people to huddle around only those that they are familiar with or that they came to the conference with, but it amazes me at this conference that you NEVER feel unwelcome anywhere. Everyone is open to talk with everyone and they are there for the purpose of sharing their knowledge and being shared with. And not only that, but they want to be an encouragement to someone else. These environments are so hard to find, but they are precious.

Week 6: The next week after I returned to Senec, I began preparing for ANOTHER Fusion training. Last weekend we trained another team from East Slovakia to begin Fusion next month! Fusion is growing and it is so exciting! It was a joy to be able to share in this training and to be able to teach and encourage these new, brave leaders. I am so excited for their Fusion! They have a humble, Christ-centered, intentional team and you can just feel that Fusion is going to thrive in this church. At the training I also brought a Fusion student from Bratislava with me to translate for me. Her name is Kaja and she was a huge blessing to me! Without her, I would not have been able to understand the hearts of some of the team members, nor would I have been able to share my advice. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many 15 year old girls, who are fluent in two languages, who would offer to give up their weekend and spend 10 hours traveling for 24 hours of training in another village. She’s a special girl.

Week 7: Following the training, I was able to go on retreat in a cottage in the mountains with the Slovakia JV women. These are some of the strongest women I have ever met. Women that give, give and give until they can’t anymore. Women that serve and seek no approval. Women that desire nothing more than to know and be known by their heavenly Father. Women who are not shaken by the small waves of life, but stand firm in God. Women who are in charge of several different ministries and lead and delegate their responsibilities so well. These women know trust and endurance more than most people I have met. I admire every one of them, and I have learned so much from them and I hope I can follow their Christ-like examples. I would encourage you to please pray for the women serving here in Slovakia, because while they are strong, they are not without struggles or trials.

Week 8: And today, today I remembered the death of my Savior. I remembered that it was HIS DEATH that allows me to experience joy, freedom, and spiritual maturity. And I also remembered that I am surrounded, even in Slovakia, by wonderful, beautiful people. I am so thankful for the people here that I have gotten the opportunity to get to know. I am thankful that I can call people like Miška and Juraj, Miriam and Kaja, Gavin and Ian, Amy and Darina, Maruška and Cory, and SO many others my friends! and not just mere people that I met. You have all blessed me in several ways and I thank you sincerely. Bless you, friends.

And thank you for reading this and sharing in our Father’s love and joy with me!

May we remain joyfully and gratefully dependent on Him, always.