A Little of Everywhere

This last month has had a little bit of everything and a little taste of everywhere. Can I just say that I love traveling? I thought I would be exhausted by now... I haven't stayed in one bed for more than 5 nights in a row since February. I thought I would hate that, but actually, I love it. I have felt at home in Senec. I have felt at home in Bratislava. And these people have sustained me for all the other travels I embark on. 

Trip #1
I went to Spain a month ago with my oldest brother, Dan! This time was so precious to me! I wish so badly that Ryan, our other brother, could have joined us but he was graduating from PA school. I'm so proud of him and how hard he worked these last 7 years in university. He has dedication and determination that I wish I had!

Dan and I both flew into Madrid within an hour of each other, we met up and hit the metro exploring the city. Madrid is so beautiful.. The old cities, the streets, the people, the language. I was in awe! However, I have to say that I think I have fallen more in love with Slovak and eastern european culture. :) 

Dan and I at the Royal Palace, Madrid, Spain

The whole week of time with just me and my brother was so good for my heart. We have been blessed with such a great friendship in the last couple years and I'm so thankful to have my brother be one of the people that knows me best, that I can trust with everything, and that I can have a ton of fun and laughter with. 

After a week of walking an average of 8,000 steps everyday, we parted ways and continued life in our separate places much too soon.

Trip #2 

After one day back in Bratislava and picking up my official Slovak Visa at the Foreign police office, I repacked my bags and headed to Prague to pick up our 5 other American Fusion Interns at the airport! So I am now living the next 2 months with 5 other college-age, enthusiastic, crazy, musical people! 

As goes the tradition with Josiah Venture interns, we ran in the JV Amazing Race through Prague, Ostrava, and Frydlant in the Czech Republic. During this time, we learned SO much about each other. Though 4 of us knew each other already from our home church in Colorado, we didn't know each other VERY well, at least I wouldn't say that I did. And we have two others on our team from Arkansas and Georgia. God clearly put this team together with a purpose, and it has been an incredible privilege to lead this team and watch them be challenged, grow, and fight through mental and physical exhaustion. I'm so thankful for each person that God brought to be a part of our team this summer and I'm looking forward to the friendships that will come from this summer and the ministry we will do together. 

Trip #3

After the race was over; after the pure physical and mental exhaustion had set in for everyone; after eating Tlačenka, after running through blisters, through frustrating team challenges, and language barriers... we finally began Intern Training at Malenovice in Czech with 120 other JV interns serving this summer in central and eastern Europe. Training was also amazing and very helpful as our team prepared for all the challenges that we will face this summer and for all the work we have ahead. 

God really prepared my heart in this time of training. He was very intentional about telling me that this summer is going to be a very big challenge... one like I haven't faced before. He told me that He had a high bar for me during this next season, and at first it seemed intimidating... but then I realized He was excited. He's excited for me to grow and get through this to be an even stronger leader and even closer to Him through it all; so now I'M excited! I've already seen areas where He is really stretching me, and every day is a reminder of how much I need to rely on Him for all my strength and discernment. 

After 4 days of training, we all departed Malenovice and our team went with the English interns to Žilina for a barbecue with our Slovak JV staff. And after two days there, we went to our first Fusion city: Obišovce!

Trip #4

Our first day in Obišovce we had a small barbecue with some Fusion students and played games outside with them. On the next day, we got to go on a hike with all our interns and two of the Fusion leaders, we then headed out to Fusion! This was our interns' first time experiencing what Fusion during the year looks like! It was great for them to be a part of and to encourage the team and students there. We pray that this new Fusion will have kids sign up for camp this summer in July! 

It's interesting for me to look back in just these 4 months and see myself doing things that I was terrified to try then, like second nature now. For example, conducting. At Obišovce, it was just a last minute request for me to conduct a couple songs for them, and I didn't have to think twice about saying yes. How cool is that? Or sharing my testimony at youth group... leading worship at church. I can feel God's Spirit alive in me and He has given me this confidence that is incredible. And its not pride. It's different. I KNOW that this is not out of my own strength and abilities at all! I know that it is Christ in me. 

Trip #5

The next day after Fusion Obišovce, we headed out on a 6 hour drive to Bratislava for their spring concert! I love these kids! That 6 hour drive, I was so giddy. I was so excited to come home.  It had been over 5 weeks since I had seen those Fusion kids! I was so happy to return and to join them for their concert! They did so well and I was so proud to be a part of that Fusion family. 

So following the concert, we had an entire week staying in host homes in Bratislava. Those homes provided a specific type of rest for all of us individually which was a true blessing for our team as we all have different needs when it comes to resting. This week was full of summer fusion parties in Bratislava and in Senec, and going to the Bratislava youth group. 

We reconnected as a team on Saturday and mentally and emotionally prepared for our next city. 

Trip #6

We moved to Senec yesterday! This is where I lived through February to beginning of May, it's my second home in Slovakia ;) It was so good to reconnect with people that I haven't been able to communicate with in many weeks! We went to the lakes last night with Miška and Juraj and saw some of the most amazing fireworks I've seen in my entire life. 

Even better though, this morning most of our team got to lead worship at the Senec church that I have been serving with. It has been so long since I lead worship, actually lead, with a guitar... it was a strange feeling to return to that position! But an opportunity that I am definitely praising God for! It was a huge blessing for me to be able to serve this church in that way today! And I was incredibly proud of our team for our small amount of practice and for two of our interns learning their instruments in less than a week. haha.  Today was a blessing. Today I am thankful. 

I am so thankful for countless things. God is at work is amazing ways here in Slovakia, in my team, in our Fusions, and in my heart. Praise Him for how faithful He is!