Farewells in Slovakia

Well, tonight's the night.  I need to post for the last time on this "Slovakia Service Stories" blog.  Why have I been putting it off for so long???  The answer is easy.  In my heart, I know it's because it is incredibly difficult to say 'farewell' to our Slovakia service experience.  Because in serving, we grew, we learned, we made wonderful friends, we loved and were loved in return; we received far more than we could ever give.  We were blessed beyond measure.  God's great mercy and love for all of us was made more evident during these past two years.  Those of you who have read all 238 posts can understand it best.  A piece of our hearts will always be in our second home --- Slovakia!  

Some of you may know that Tim has returned for an 8-week extended service in Slovakia.  One of the replacement lectors for our school won't be arriving until October, so Tim will teach in the meantime, be there to overlap with and help orientate the new lector, and also serve as the Lead Teacher for the Central Europe program again, visiting all the new American lectors in Poland, Hungary, and three other sites in Slovakia on weekends and mentoring them.  He is the perfect person for the job, but I'm a little jealous of all the fun he's having already!  I am teaching full time right back in my old position in Ankeny.  The gal who replaced me when I retired is taking the full 12-week FMLA maternity leave, so I started on August 12, only eight days after we returned to Iowa, and I'll continue until the beginning of November.  And after that, we'll perhaps finally find out what this 'retirement' thing is all about !!  Maybe.  :-)   I'll continue subbing occasionally to help pay for health insurance, and Tim will be teaching a math class at DMACC (local community college) for the rest of the semester.  

One thought that we really want to leave with all our readers, on any continent, is one important concept that was a recurring theme during our two years of service.  God calls each of us to serve right where we are, no matter if it's thousands of miles away from home, or right in our own hometown or household or workplace or school!!  We have witnessed so many examples of people serving others in a multitude of situations and settings.  God's love shines through all His children who choose to serve Him by giving of themselves to others.  It's that simple.  Go in peace and serve the Lord.  Anywhere you are!!  

And now for some photos from our last days together in Slovakia.  

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My dear office partner and friend, Ad'ka, invited us over to their home for a meal.  This is her sweet daughter Ninka - we had such fun together!!   (The gorgeous mosaic wall behind us was created by Ad'ka's talented artist husband!) 

With the whole family in the garden behind Ad'ka's house.  

Beautiful gladiolas from Eva!  

We were all in tears after our last English lesson / party at our flat, so I didn't even think of taking a picture of the three of us until after they left.  So, this is Tana and Eva, on the sidewalk below our 5th floor window!  Such wonderful friends!!   

My other office partner, Peter, and his wife Bet'ka also invited us over.  They are still honeymooners --- theirs was the wedding we attended in April.  What an awesome couple!  

We rode our bikes one last time to Bobrovec - such a picturesque village nestled at the beginning of the mountain valley.  

In Bobrovec, we visited the newly reconstructed house of our friend Ján, who runs the bike shop where we first met him.  We enjoyed delicious refreshments and their darling family! 

Stopping to enjoy the views on our way home from Bobrovec.  Wow!  

Vivid red poppies on the edge of a wheat field along the ride home. 

Dinner at Villa Betula with Rivi and Pat'ka, who has taken such good care of us from the very beginning.  It was a beautiful evening to enjoy good company and friendship.  

Erika came to church to bid us farewell one last time on our last Sunday morning in Liptovský Mikuláš.  We'll miss our wonderful students - they are so sweet!!  

We ran into Eva on the town square after church too -- this time we were able to share smiles instead of tears!  

We stopped for tea and cakes at one of our favorite sweets shops after church with Zuzana, our dear colleague and faithful friend.  

One last mountain view from out our kitchen window, across the red roof of the flats between us and the green foothills which we love to walk along.  

Mr. Betko, our landlord, Eva, and Saška all helped us load our luggage onto the train, since it only stops at the station about 2-3 minutes.  Mr. Betko always took such good care of us whenever we needed something repaired in the flat, and he always welcomed us with a smile and a "dobrý deň".  Eva rode her bike down to the station to help and give us one last hug.  And Saška surprised us by having her car outside our flat in time to drive our heavy luggage to the station and make sure she was the last one to see us off.  Thank you, dear friends!!   

I can't even look at this, our last picture in Liptovský Mikuláš, without tears in my eyes.  Visions of beautiful mountains, wonderful people, precious memories, and lifetime friendships will forever be in our hearts and minds.  Thank you, Slovakia!!  
And farewell, for now.  God bless you all!!  

Ephesians 2:19-22Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

19 So then you are no longer strangers or people far away. But you live with God's people and belong to God's family.

20 God's family is like a house and you are part of the building. The apostles and prophets are like the lower walls of the house and you are the building on this foundation. Jesus Christ is the big stone at the corner.

21 He is the one who holds the whole house together, and it becomes a holy house belonging to the Lord.

22 You too are a part of this house. God himself lives in this house by his Spirit.