SLOVAKIA

August 17 - 28, 2023!
 

Our hot dog picnic was held on Saturday at a really nice park. Many people came. It was great to meet and talk with several family members of the students. Wonderful fellowship.

Here are videos posted by the New Life Church for days 4 and 5 of class. My tradition with the students is to take pictures on the last day of class. Their name tags help me remember who is who when I return home.

Here are the instagram posts from the church team for day 4.

Day 5 finished well. All goals were met. God sustained us and carried us through. Here are the four class pictures

Here are several short videos that were recorded on day 4. The electric looking item is a Tesla Ball. Everyone seems so glad to be in the class and to spend time together.
Mark

Day 4 was as terrific as the first three days were. The lemon battery finally worked and lit the LED bulb. Today August 24 is Ukrainian Independence Day. Tonya (on the left of the photo) is wearing a traditional Ukrainian shirt. She and her friend Anna asked me why I have come to Ukraine 17 times before. I was able to share that God had led me there and that He had given me a love for the Ukrainian people.

Then they noticed the salvation beads on my backpack. I was able to share the gospel with them. They did not even know each other before the class and now they seem like best friends. God is working here!  One more day tomorrow. Prayers for us to finish strong as it should be.

Here are two videos prepared by the church team. Great fellowship. Please keep day 4 in your prayers. Thanks!  All is really really well.
Mark

Today is Ukrainian flag day. Showing the students the US map. Snack time!  The lessons are going so well. I can feel everyone's prayers. Don't stop!  Thank you!
Mark

Wednesday:  some of my younger students gave me a gift today. Ukrainian coin, stuffed polar bear, and handmade artwork.
Mark

Today Nastya and I recreated the photo from 2007 when we first met. She's a little taller and I'm a little bigger. Such a blessing.
Mark

Here are two short videos from class. Playing a color game and after class time.
Mark

Day 2:  Almost all of the students returned (which is always a good sign) and we had a few new students. Today was Bingo day. Water science went great with little spillage.
Mark

Here are two short videos that the church team put together for day 1 of our classes. Tuesday morning here already and I feel very good. Please keep praying for us.
Mark

First day of classes went great. 54 students total heard the story of Peter’s great catch of fish and experienced the science of the floating ketchup packet (ask a VBS child for an explanation). Pray for rest tonight and stamina tomorrow. Videos are a rock-paper-scissor tournament and an after class hang out with the older class.

All ready for our first class. The church members did a wonderful job of decorating the room.
Mark

I went to the New Life Church this morning. Sang songs which I knew. Pastor Ruslan streamed his sermon to us. Saw three friends and former students there. After the service everyone hung around, shared coffee and tea, and talked. We got the room ready for classes tomorrow including a portable air conditioner!  Resting today. PS. I have my own QR Code!
Mark

Today we went to the New Life Church to meet the team and do a media check. The church meets in the building in the picture. The circled balcony is theirs. All is well.
Mark

The online registration for the English classes is continuing. Currently there are 70 souls coming. Nastya is the administrator for the website. Planning session and meeting with the church team today.
Mark

Dear Church Family,

I arrived safely in Vienna, Austria this afternoon at 1:30 local time (7:30 am Charleston time).  There were no customs to clear as Austria is an European Union country.  A one-hour drive to arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital.  There were many huge windmills on the Austrian side of the border.  Nastya and her husband Yehor picked me up, along with Pastor Ruslan's right hand man and senior guy Stas.  All is well here.  Thanks for the prayers.

Mark

Hello Church Family,

The New Life Church in Slovakia has posted my introduction video on Facebook.  In the video I share my thoughts about my upcoming trip to Slovakia and the English classes I will be teaching.  To watch, just click below.  Thank you for your prayers!

Mark

Hello Church Family,

Here is another update:

The attached photos are of my friend Nastya.  I knew her and her family before she was a student in my Chygyryn English classes.  The first photo was taken 16 years ago in 2007.  The second photo is of Nastya and her husband Yehor.  They were married in July in Slovakia.  She will be my translator for this trip, and they will be my host family during my stay.

Mark

Dear Church Family,
     My trip to Slovakia is between August 17-28.  Due to the war with Russia, the New Life church in Chygyryn, Ukraine (this is a village) sent 12 of its members to Bratislava, Slovakia to start a satellite church there.  Seven of these refugees were former students in my English classes.
     I will be teaching English again.  There will be six classes of 15 for a total of about 90 students.  There will be two children's classes, one teenager class, and three young adult classes.  The goal of the classes is to provide outreach to all of the age groups represented.  We will have two class parties on the Saturday following our classes.
     My main prayer request is for God to be honored in our activities.  Reaching nearly 100 souls for God's Kingdom is an overwhelming task that only God can accomplish.  Beyond traveling mercies and care for family left behind, I ask for prayer in two areas, both of which are new territory for me:  The lessons will be much more computer based than in past years, so pray for the technology not to betray me.  Secondly, pray for easy transitions between the different age groups in the classes.

Mark