WEEKS 31, 32, 33, 34

Domovina, n.o. is located in Žehra, a small village located in central Slovakia.  This beautiful mansion has been transformed into a home for men with mental disabilities, twelve of which have been diagnosed with schizophrenia.  We met Mikel who is a resident there and has been trusted to be the caretaker of the beautiful 17th Century small chapel located on the grounds.  With an impromptu organ and singing performance, we were amazed at his talents.  Coming from the Romani culture, he is a self taught musician with incredible abilities.  Coraline, one of our managers from Frankfurt was with us.

Transfers this week.  We quickly learned on our mission, that we don't like transfer time.  In a short time, we grow attached to these young missionaries.  We don't like saying goodbye, especially when they are transferred into Czechia.  They promise to come and visit us in Utah.

So long for now...

We always seek to involve civic leaders in all of our projects.  Once the mayor, city council and other municipality members are involved in a project, we always see better results.  Along with the school administrators, we have worked with Anna from Nadacia Mesta Zilina on several successful projects.  This particular project was replacing 50 to 60 year old chalk boards with new magnetic white boards in Špeciálna základná škola located in Žilina.

      

Spent last week in the north western part of Slovakia, this week we are in Humenné which is located in the north eastern part of Slovakia.  We have loved working with Silvia from the Red Cross in Humenne. The Red Cross-Humenne fulfills it's mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found and within the last year, has launched a new project to feed the many displaced people in Humenne, Slovakia. Often these people are victims of abuse, domestic violence, addictions or loss of income. Many remain as Ukraine refugees.  The Red-Cross soup kitchen feeds over 50 people a day which amounts to 1,000 meals served each month and the count is growing.  The Church provided funds to purchase and install a desperately needed commercial stove, an extractor hood, fan and filters in the soup kitchen.   Marilyn and I had he opportunity to help serve a few meals while we were there.

 

Since our arrival in Slovakia, we have seen many changes in the Church's humanitarian work.  The focus greater impact on more people.  We were asked to research and gather as much information as possible about the greatest needs of the people of Slovakia.  Marilyn spent countless hours gathering statistics and information on what we could do to have a greater impact on the lives of the marginalized people of Slovakia.  We then had two meetings with our managers and Field Operation Managers from Frankfurt and discussed in detail what strategies we should emphasize in 2025.  We wanted to get first-hand information from the grassroots people who are dealing with these important issues on a daily basis.  We met with mayors and vice mayors, hospital administrators, NGO leaders, and private humanitarian representatives.  We gathered some of our most trusted and knowledgeable people together in Michalovce for a very informative meeting.  After much deliberation, thought and prayer, and then final approval from Frankfurt, the two strategies which were decided upon will be 1)  Romani Education and 2) Mobility of the Aging Population.  We are anxious and excited to begin planning and implementing larger projects to emphasize these two areas of need.

Our bi-weekly Sunday lunches continue to be a highlight of our weeks and months.  We love these young missionaries and their friends who richly bless our lives.   We admire the sacrifices they make for the Lord and even though some days the work seems arduous and slow, they continue to cheerfully dedicate and commit their lives to serve and bless the lives of so many here in Slovakia.  

Our dear friends and neighbors, Phil and Wendy came to visit.  That's true friends when they make a huge detour to come to far reaches of Prešov Slovakia to visit us.  We had a wonderful time touring a centuries old monastery in Jasov and a centuries old Spišský castle, and then on to Krakow Poland.  We love Phil and Wendy--Phil will go to great lengths to fill a ministering assignment 😂

 

All Saints Day in Europe is our Memorial Day.  The cemeteries are incredible during this time of year.  We have never seen such beautifully decorated graves.  Its hard to tell from this picture, but the graves (lit with candles) went all the way up hill.  People in Europe are sensitive to taking care of the graves of their loved ones and the beauty of those cemeteries is evident throughout the land.

Elder and Sister Kozak completed a project in Bežovce in which the church reconstructed an existing building into a training center.  We were happy to finally see the finished project.  We had heard so much about its success that we wanted to visit it and see if it might be a prototype for additional similar projects.  Skills taught in the workshop include how to correctly use, manipulate, repair, and maintain functional tools. Functional tools include more sophisticated tools such as commercial lawn mowers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, cultivators, electric drills, grinders, etc.

The workshop is available for both the Roma and other residents of the village who are employed in the agricultural field to learn new skills and maintain existing skills. 

Ashley, Parker. Livee and Krew came for a visit!  

We had a great time showing them around.  We knew Livee was coming but had no idea Krew was going to surprise us.  It definitely was a pleasant surprise.  I had to gear up because he loves to tease his grandpa.  It helped remind us of how much we love our family and miss them all.  Marilyn and I talk all the time how blessed we have been for coming to Slovakia.  We love the country, we love the people and we especially love the humanitarian work we are doing.  We have never been so exhausted and stressed at times, but on the other hand we have never felt so strongly the profound love  and blessings from our Father in Heaven.  Thank you for your love and support!

Spišsky hrad Castle

                             Košice Branch with Robert and Ria

Krakow Poland

                                                  St Mary's Basilica, Krakow Poland

We love and miss you all!