Bratislava Blessings!

Well, today we finished the first segment of our time in Slovakia.  It has truly been a whirlwind time here - we have learned so much already, but we are keenly aware of being such neophytes in this country!!  Tonight our overwhelming sense is that of thankfulness.  We have been blessed in so many ways - by all of our family and friends back home who are supporting us in prayer and staying in contact - by our fellow new teachers here as we've shared this journey's beginning together - and by the wonderful training staff here who have led us, challenged us, and lifted us up as fellow believers in mission for Christ.  Each morning we began our day with devotions in a morning service including hymns sung a cappella (by amazing singers!), scripture, a message, and prayer.  That has been an important part of the cement that is building up our strength as mission workers.  And tonight we had our formal service of commissioning, which was incredibly meaningful.  Our little group of 8 new teachers was joined by other returning teachers, pastors, 2 bishops, and others who all celebrated the Lord's Supper together before we were commissioned.  We have always felt a strong call to this mission opportunity, and this week has only affirmed our commitment and peace about our upcoming year.  Thanks for your love and prayers from back in the USA!!  

This is from our trip last night back up to Hrad Castle

Our band of brothers and sisters in Christ being trained as new teachers

Breakfast always includes coffee, hot tea, bread rolls, and rye bread slices

Tim's breakfast of chocolate cereal with milk, and the hot dogs with ketchup and mustard!

This morning was again spent in our un-airconditioned classroom, all sweating together after another night in our un-airconditioned dorm rooms.  Tim and I are glad we'll be headed to the mountains tomorrow where it gets cooler at night.  :-)   After lunch, several of us took a bus ride across the Danube to the Lyceum (high school) here in Bratislava, where Aunt Ruth taught.  We especially wanted to see it, to envision where she spent her year here.  Then we all spit up and went our separate ways home, now that we can all get around independently.  (We are all so proud of ourselves that we don't need help any more to get back to the seminary......of course that skill competency will be of no value for us starting tomorrow in Liptovsky Mikulas!!  LOL!!)  Tim and I stopped at a post office and successfully purchased stamps for postcards, then headed back.  We wanted to shower and change for dinner, since it was a dress-up affair prior to the service tonight.  

Lunch always starts with soup - this was pea soup.  We also had a nice tomato salad, and there is always bottled bubbly mineral water.

Second course - pork schnitzel with boiled, diced potatoes

Dessert - a bread-like bun, filled with preserves, topped with cocoa powder and drizzled in melted butter.  No calories at all, thankfully!!  HAHAHA!

This is looking out from the seminary doors, as we leave each day.

At the doors to the Lyceum in Bratislava, where Aunt Ruth taught English

After all the formal events tonight, just the small group plus a few of the returning teachers, all gathered for the "Talent/No Talent" show they always have at the end of training.  Tim and I did a variation of the Smothers Brothers skit that Tim and Dave Swenson did for Augie's Diner many years ago, but with me being the dumb wife instead of Dave as the dumb brother!!  :-)   We also found out tonight that there will be 5 people in the van tomorrow, going to 2 towns, so there won't be room for all the luggage.  We each get to take one small suitcase, and the other bags will be fetched sometime by Monday hopefully.  Oh well, it's no different than when we first arrived - HA!!  So tonight we repacked suitcases again, making sure we have what we need for this weekend and the first day or two at our school.  

The new teachers with bishops and representatives from their offices

All the teachers with the bishops and dignitaries

Talent/No Talent Show - Claudia telling us a ghost story!!  

Breakfast is earlier than usual tomorrow - 7:30 - and we are to leave at 9:00.  We aren't certain if we'll have internet at our apartment immediately, but hopefully we'll figure out a way to stay in touch.  Thanks again for your prayers!!  Good night from Bratislava!!