Christmas is coming!

It’s really hard for me to believe that Christmas is next week. It just doesn’t feel like it should be that soon, and it feels strange knowing I won’t be going home. Usually now I would be going home, helping my mom with shopping and baking, decorating the Christmas tree, and all that fun stuff. I am still having fun preparing for Christmas here, it’s just different. One thing that I really enjoyed over the weekend was making and decorating medovnik with Marcela. These are cookies that look like gingerbread cookies, but they aren’t. They are made with honey, and I think they taste a lot better than gingerbread. They are traditional for Christmas here and are elaborately decorated with white frosting. This week I am going to bake peanut butter cookies with Hershey kisses for Christmas and I think everyone will really enjoy them (Thanks to Grandmom for sending the peanut butter and Mom for sending the Hershey kisses!!). Not too much else has been going one here. This Thursday I am going to visit Kristen, the volunteer in Velky Slavkov, and will stay there until Saturday. I am really looking forward to this, and it should be a lot of fun to see another placement and for us to be able to hang out and be ‘refreshed’ before Christmas. Here is some of the Christmas vocabulary I have learned:

Christmas- Vianoce
Merry Christmas- Vesele Vianoce!
Christmas tree- Vianočné stromček
Christmas Eve- Štredrý deň
Present/gift- darček
Angel- anjel
Cabbage Soup- Polievka Kapustnica (traditional for Christmas)

Vesele Vianoce to everyone!!

Last Thursday was St. Nicholas Day here, and I was so surprised- it was like a little taste of Christmas already! In Slovakia on the night of Dec. 5th the kids leave a pair of shoes by their window and St. Nicholas comes at night and leaves small gifts and candy in the shoes. December 6th the kids wake up and it’s like a miniature version of Christmas! People give each other small gifts- mostly candy on this day, and most of the schools have special programs. I got some candy bags from St. Nicholas too :-). What I thought was really strange is that St. Nicholas comes with an angel and a devil. The devil is for the bad kids, and the angel for the good ones. So on Thursday I saw someone dressed up as St. Nicholas, and people dressed up as angels and devils. Even in the stores they sell chocolate Santas, angels, and devils. I think it’s kind of scary for kids, but they say it is a cartoon devil, and there is a different word in Slovak for a cartoon devil and the devil. It was interesting to see how this day was celebrated, even though it was just a small ordeal mostly for kids.

Saturday was quite an exciting day also. I met a girl who lives in Banska Bystrica and is a University student. She was coming to talk to the Pastor about being baptized, and Saturday was the day she was baptized. She is about the same age as me, and comes from a family of atheists. Her father is a chemist and her mother grew up not believing in God, because her father was killed in an accident when she was a baby, and she does not understand how there could be a God with the painful things in this world. Somehow this girl started to believe there was something out there, and started going to church, reading the Bible, and learning about God. Her parents were both so angry with her for having anything to do with the church, and would not allow her to talk about it at all. After wrestling with Christianity and atheism for a long time, she became a Christian and came to the Pastor to be baptized. When she told her parents that she was going to be baptized her parents were angry about it and still do not allow her to talk about Christianity with them or any of her siblings (who are atheists). So on Saturday morning the girl and four of her friends came for the baptism. Throughout the service I just kept thinking about how much of a miracle it is that this girl is getting baptized, despite everyone in her family objecting. She sent me a thank you e-mail today and this stuck out: "I realize that the God is another kind of perspective on life. I like it so much. I dont believe in atheism- I just know that people, who dont believe, only ignore the miracles around, because the whole life is one of the greatest miracles." After the baptism her friends stayed and we had lunch together, talked, and played a really fun Slovak castle game. We are planning to hang out again soon, when they are finished with exams. I have to get going now, but hopefully later tonight I will mail out my November newsletter and post it on here too, because it is super late!

You know you're in Slovakia when...

One of the other volunteers, Ashley came to visit this past weekend and while talking, sharing stories, and laughing we compiled a list that you might enjoy. Other Slovakia volunteers let me know what more you have to add!

You know you’re in Slovakia when…
-You go on “holiday” instead of vacation
-You go “to University”
-You always carry a plastic bag with you
-You have multiple pairs of “papuče” (slippers) and wear them all the time indoors (At home, in school, at work)
-You drink Slivovica (plum brandy) at least twice a week- for your health of course!-(Na zdravie!)
-You read words that have five consonants and no vowels
-You add “ička” to the end of a word and it makes it something small
-You add k’s in names to be friendly
-You “ring” people (call a lot of times and hang up, leaving no messages)
-All the women’s last names end in “–ova” (I’m Coleova)
-You eat bryndzova halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese)
-You celebrate name days
-You drink coffee (kava) and tea (čaj) all day long
-You drink Kofula
-There are loud Speakers in the village with music and announcements
-You crave ice cubes and peanut butter like never before
-You always see hitch-hikers and give them rides
-You watch the nighttime fairytale at 19:00
-You have two choices of coffee- instant or with the grounds in the bottom of the mug. So despite the obsession with coffee, there are no coffee makers!
-You say “Dobru chut” (enjoy your meal) when you see anyone eating anything
-Every conversation is full of “hej”, “dobre” and “tak”
-Whenever you go in a store you say “Dobry den” (Good day) and when you leave you always say “Dovidenia” (Good-bye)
-People ask you what your village is like in America
-You dress extra warm to go to church and leave your coat on during the whole service
-You blow your nose and smell strawberries, chamomile, or mint
-You pick mushrooms outside and eat them- somehow knowing which ones are eatable
-You buy large bags of poppy seeds and put them in almost anything- in large amounts (I mean we’re not talking about a little sprinkling on a lemon poppy seed muffin)

After the retreat last weekend in Bratislava, and talking with Daniela about my placement here in Horna Micina we came to the conclusion that somehow things needed to change. She had a long discussion with my supervisor here, and then we had many discussions about how things can improve. We also talked about the center and what the hold up is. He is still waiting for the government to give the okay that it is registered and allowed to open. Until that comes we are not able to give pamphlets to hospitals and doctor’s offices to get clients. He was supposed to receive this by December, but he said there is no guarantee. Since it is a church-run center he says the government is not too concerned about it and will get to it whenever they get to it. So, it does not sound very promising that this will be open anytime soon, but he is not giving up on it. It was good to finally know exactly what was going on and what the hold up has been. Basically, it is very difficult for the church to open up a social service center like this. We talked about what this means for my placement, since that would have been where I was mostly spending my time. We decided that I can still teach Sunday school, deliver the lunches to the elderly, help teach English lessons twice a week, help with the Bible study at the church, and help with church office work that needs to be done. Right now there is not a youth group here, but somehow we would like to try to start that up. I have also met some students at the Lutheran high school in Banska Bystrica that would like conversation practice. So, I am going to try to start an after school informal conversation class with whoever is interested there. We decided to just see how that goes and then adjust things as we feel needed. It is difficult because I was excited about being placed in a center like this, and being able to do activities with the clients, but it’s just not working out like that. The village is so small also, so I have to travel to Banska Bystrica to be involved with the schools. At times I just get so frustrated and wish it was somehow different, but maybe this is good for me. It would be so much easier to be in a center and have people right there, but this is a challenge having to go out and take more initiative.

It wasn’t the easiest week, but it was good to work things out a little more. Also, last night Ashley, the volunteer in Koseca came to visit! She is here for the weekend, and it has been great hanging out with her.

At orientation my small group leader shared this with us and it has stuck with me:

Oh God, who am I now?

Once, I was secure
In familiar territory
In my sense of belonging
Unquestioning of
The norms of my culture
The assumptions built into my language
The values shared by my society.

But now you have called me out and away from home
And I do not know where you are leading.
I am empty, unsure, uncomfortable.
I have only a beckoning star to follow.

Journeying God,
Pitch your tent with mine
So that I may not become deterred
By hardship, strangeness, doubt.
Show me the movement I must make
Toward a wealth not dependent on possessions
Toward a wisdom not based on books
Toward a strength not bolstered by might
Toward a God not confined to heaven
But scandalously earthed, poor, unrecognized…

Help me to find where I am
As I walk in others’ shoes.

-Katie Compston

And now a little bit from the Thanksgiving retreat…

What's better them some fun on the see saw!

A giant garbage incinerator in Vienna designed by Hundertwasser...
yes we saw a garbage incinerator in Vienna...it was a random trip

I'm not sure if there's any explanation for this
The Vienna Christmas Market!

Update

Ahoj!
Once again, I am sorry it has been so long since an update! It's hard to be on the internet very long though. Anyway, this past weekend I had a retreat in Bratislava with the other volunteers in Slovakia. I arrived on Wednesday and it is was so wonderful to see the other volunteers again. Thursday we took a day trip to Vienna, and it was so much fun! We found ourselves mostly just walking around and talking, because we had so much to talk about. At one point we were on the subway going somewhere and we were all talking to each other- We didn't even realize that we were at the end of the subway line and we had completely missed our stop. So we didn't see a lot of the touristy things, but it was great to be together and get a taste of the city. We got to spend time at the Christmas market in the evening and that was really beautiful.

Friday we met up with our coordinator Daniela and spent time in Bratislava talking about our placements and how things were going. It is so funny how even though we all have different placements- doing different things in different areas of the country, we have so many similar stories and can relate to each other so much. Saturday we had some activities and more discussion in the morning, along with a Thanksgiving worship. In the afternoon we went to the seminary here to meet up with other American missionaries and volunteers from Slovakia, Hungary, and Kazakistan. We shared a nice Thanksgiving meal and played the "IT" game with small presents. It was so funny how much everyone wanted peanut butter, chocolate chips, and taco seasoning. I was very excited to win both peanut butter and taco seasoning!!

Now I am getting ready to head back by bus to Banska Bystricia, and it's a stramge feeling. The retreat was perfect- we had so much fun and laughed so much that it is a little hard to go back. I also had a more detailed discussion with Daniela (the country coordinator) about my placement and the issues- like the center not being open yet. Things will be changing and I do not know everything yet, but I will let you all know what is happening when things get worked out. Daniela is so wonderful and understanding and I am thankful for her and her hard work to make sure the placements go smoothly. I think the next couple of weeks may be difficult as things get worked out, but I think it will be for the best. Sorry this is kind of vague, but I don't know a whole lot and will let you know you all know everything when I know all the details. For now I am just praying and trusting that it will all work out for the best.

I posted a link to my webshots so you can see more pictures of Slovakia! At the bottom of this page there is a link called "My pictures"- just click on this and you will be directed to the page. Enjoy!

A Prayer by Thomas Merton

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,
And the fact that I think I am following
your will does not mean that I am
actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please
you does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire in all
that I am doing.
And I know that if I do this, you
will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death, I will
not fear, for you are ever with me
and you will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

Slovak Food

One of the things everyone is curious about is Slovak food, so I will tell you all about it! Overall the food is very good and not tremendously different than food I am used to. There are a lot of potatoes and meat, and the meat is usually beef or pork- very rarely chicken. Marcelka told me that potatoes have always been very popular, because they are cheap. When the country was really poor potatoes were the cheapest and easiest thing to eat, so potatoes were the main food. Now it’s mostly just a traditional food.
Breakfast usually consists of cereals, breads, yogurt, vegetables (like peppers and tomatoes), cheese, and sometimes salami and ham. Usually I stick to the yogurt and breads though. The bread here is absolutely amazing! There are so many different kinds and it is all so fresh- I love it. Lunch is the biggest meal, and it always consists of some type of soup and then a main course. The soups are pretty good- a lot of different kinds, usually with meat, potatoes, and onions. The main course is sometimes rice, or potatoes, and then a meat, usually beef. The national food is called halušky and it is like potato noodles- it’s hard to explain, because it looks like pasta, but isn’t pasta. It’s potatoes mixed with flour and something else, usually topped with goat cheese and bacon. It’s pretty good, but very filling and heavy. The bacon is really different here though, because it is sold in a block and they leave all the fat in it. They actually prefer to eat the bacon fat and that grosses me out a little bit. I try to steer clear of that. The other thing I am not crazy about is cabbage and that is really popular here also. Sometimes at lunch they have what is called a "sweet lunch", and this is great. It’s so strange to me, because it is like dessert, but they eat it for lunch! It is dumplings filled with fruit usually (apples, berries, jam, or poppy seeds) and then topped with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. It is very, very good, but it is so strange to think of it as lunch.
Dinner is usually a small meal. Sometimes just some bread with butter, or bread with some cheese, peppers, and tomatoes. I never ate peppers before, but now I eat peppers all the time, and I realized that they are pretty good. Once we had pudding for dinner, and that was different for me too. It’s different having lunch being the biggest meal, and dinner being small, but I think it is healthier to eat more in the middle of the day, and I have gotten used to that now. The main drinks are tea and coffee- lots and lots of tea. Usually there is just hot tea with all the meals. But one of the unique beverages here is called kofula, and it is like soda, but with some added flavoring. It almost has a lemon and licorice taste to it. I don’t like it very much, but a lot of people do.
Hopefully that gives you an idea about the food here and I will try to post more about what is going on sometime soon!

This past Sunday at church one of the ladies from the village invited me to her house Monday afternoon to pick grapes from her garden. Her name is Pani (Mrs.) Markova and when I first met her I knew she was just the nicest lady- she is always smiling and laughing. Monday afternoon I went over to her house and she fixed coffee and had a plate of little cakes prepared. We sat and attempted to have a conversation, which actually went really well! I had my Slovak-English dictionary, which is a big help, and she is so patient with me. For some reason she is a lot easier for me to understand than some other people. She uses hand motions, and talks slower, and I don’t know what else it is, but we were able to communicate! She showed me pictures of everything- from when she was growing up, to her wedding, then her kids, and the church. It was great, because she was explaining things while showing me the pictures, so I could understand more about what she was talking about. And even when we weren’t talking or when we couldn’t understand each other- just sitting with her and drinking coffee was so great. Then we went out to her garden and picked grapes- she has tons of grapes, and she gave me a bunch to take with me. I realized how much her presence meant to me, how much joy she brought me, and how she ministered to me by just being with me. I hope that I can do for others what she did for me that afternoon.

I also realized that one of the difficult things about the Slovak language (of the many things that are difficult about it) is the words for yes and no. Yes is “Ano” and No is “Nie” which is fine, but people shorten it and will say “No” instead of “Ano”, so I am hearing them saying “No” thinking they mean No when they really mean yes! I have to constantly remind myself that no means yes…that is unless they are trying to speak in English.

Život v Horna Mičiná (Life in Horna Mičiná)

I have been in the village of Horna Mičiná for a little over a week and have been learning all about what life is like here. It is a small village of about 500 people, and is about 10 km from Banska Bystrica. In the village there is just one small market, a Lutheran church, a Catholic church, and then the houses. The Lutheran Church was built in 1785 and has a lot of history, which has been interesting to learn about. It is a pretty small church, but really pretty inside. Right next to the church is the parsonage where I have been spending a lot of time. The Pastor, Dano and his wife, Marcelka have a son, Danko who is 4 years old. They are a really nice and welcoming family and I really enjoy spending time with them. Dano is also a beekeeper, so he has houses of bees in the yard and makes honey each year- and it is really good honey! I am enjoying meeting people from the village, and I try to talk to them, but usually the conversation ends in me saying “nerozumium” (I don’t understand) and hoping they are patient with me! I have a lot of learning to do.

At orientation one of the ELCA staff members told us that when we get to our placement it will not be what we expected. She said even if we think we don’t have any expectations, once we get there we will realize what our expectations were. She is a wise woman, because it is so true. Everyone says “just go with an open mind”, and so I tried as hard as possible to do that and to not have expectations, but that is impossible and I have already realized what some of my expectations were. I expected to be working in the center for the elderly (which I expected to be open and running). I expected to be doing different activities with these people, and practicing the “ministry of presence” which we talked so much about! When I got here I found out that the center has not opened yet (things in Slovakia move a little slower than usual and paperwork takes a while…) So, it is not what I expected, but not in a bad way at all. Each day is different, but I have been helping get things ready for the center to open. There is still some work inside that needs to be done in order for it to meet the regulations for inspection so I am working on that with the Pastor. I was able to meet Zuzana who just finished her PhD in Social Service and who will be the main boss of the center. She doesn’t speak any English, but she is really nice and I am looking forward to working with her. I have also been helping deliver lunches to elderly people in the village (most of them will be attending the center when it opens). The Pastor also has lots of other things for me to do to help with the church, so until the center opens there is at least some other stuff to do. Yesterday was the woodcutting day, so a bunch of people from the village came to the church and cut wood all day long. It was really a lot of fun to interact with the people and to see how the village comes together to help the church. The shed is full of wood so we will be warm all winter!

Usually I spend my free time at the parsonage talking with Dano and Marcelka and drinking kava (coffee) and čaj (tea)- that’s really all people drink here, but I am loving it! I also have a lot of fun helping Marcelka in the kitchen, and trying to learn Slovak from Danko. He is a little bit impatient with me and my lack of understanding him when he talks to me, but he does get really excited when I say something right! My phrase is “Čo je to?” (What is that?) as I point to things and then he tells me the word. All in all I am lost and confused often, but from talking with the other volunteers this is pretty normal. I am so thankful for Dano and Marcelka, and for the other Slovakia volunteers. Even though we aren’t in the same place anymore, it is so nice to know they are going through the same thing and it’s nice to know they are at least in the same country! That’s enough for now, I will keep you updated on everything!

Some Pictures!!

This lake in the Tatras Mountains is called Strbske Pleso

Maike, Mary, Me, Mark, and Zuzka our Slovak teacher at Strbske Pleso

The whole group of volunteers at Devin Castle

Velky Slavkov

We made it to Velky Slavkov on Sunday and began our Slovak language class on Monday. So far it has been going well. It is a lot of information packed into such a short amount of time, but we are all trying to learn as much as we can. The village of Velky Slavkov is very small, but it is in such a beautiful area. We are right at the bottom of the Tatras Mountains, which are just incredible. This weekend we are going hiking in the mountains and I am so excited fot that! The nearest internet access is in the city of Poprad. We took a train into town today to go to the internet cafe and get some things. The weather here is crazy though! It is so so cold- I am in a winter coat, scarf, and gloves right now, and there is snow on the mountains. I was not expecting winter to be here so soon! I will try to post pictures sometime soon- hopefully the next time I can get to the internet. That§s all for now!

Slovakia So Far...

I arrived in Slovakia, along with the other volunteers Tuesday afternoon. Daniela, the country coordinator, greeted us with hugs at the Bratislava airport and it was very exciting to see her! We met up with the four German volunteers and we all had our first dinner in Slovakia together. We have been staying in a hostel right in Bratislava (the capitol) as we did paperwork, health checks (not fun but we survived), permits, and orientation things. We have also had some free time and Daniela has been showing us around Bratislava. Even after just a few days there is so much to tell!

Yesterday we went to the Devin Castle ruins, which I was so excited about. It was so beautiful and had a great view. It also has a chapel from the 4th century that we were able to see. We walked around the old city section, which has an open market, and is full of old, historical buildings. Today we went to the Bratislava Castle, and the Parliament Building. It was great, because we are here during the 15th anniversary of the Slovak Constitution. Because of this we were able to walk around inside of the offices, and there were special events going on. We saw some traditional Slovak music, singing, and dancing.

Tomorrow we will go to church and then take a train to Velky Slavkov where we will have our language training. It is a small village in North Eastern Slovakia, in the mountains- yay! We will be there for two weeks and then travel to our placements September 15th. I have learned a few key phrases that are helpful to know, but I am excited for the language training. It is great spending time with the other volunteers, and we have been having a lot of fun together, but I am excited to get settled in my placement!

Orientation Fun

I have been in Chicago for just about a week with the other volunteers and it has been an interesting week. It was great to see the volunteers I met back in April and so comforting to know we all have the same roller coaster of emotions going on. It's so hard to explain, but we all know we are going through the same thing. The week has been packed with speakers and small group time everyday. It's actually been a really exhausting week, because there has been so much information to take in and it is a bit overwhelming. It has all been insightful and thought provoking, but at the same time it is difficult to think about all the things we are expecting to or may experience during the year. I think it's gotten to a point where we are all just ready to get to our country, which is good since we leave Monday!

Some highlights from the week:
-Learning about what mission really is. The word mission has been so tainted in the past, but we can redefine mission as God's activity in the world through a model called accompaniment. Accompaniment means walking alongside people and being present with them. There may not always be a specific task to do, but we can always offer the ministry of presence and this is often what people need. Holistic mission includes both proclamation and service.
-Singing "The greatest thing in all my life is serving you..."
-Roommate talks
-Learning about globalization and it's effects- "You've not heard the word of God until you take action"
-Spending time with the other volunteers
-Walks around the city, going to Lake Michigan, and laying in the grass during breaks
-Talking about how to deal with the lifestyle changes that will occur
-Learning about safety- stranger danger! watching out for people who may want to do obnoxious things...This was an entertaining discussion...

So, although there's been a lot of sitting, discussing, and just taking in information, it has been a good week of preparation and I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be for what's ahead. Tomorrow morning I am going with the other Slovakia volunteers and 2 alums who were in Slovakia to a Slovak church service in the area. Then Monday morning we are off! Next time I update will be from Bratislava... :-)

Getting closer...

In less than a month I will be in Slovakia!!!! Today was my last day of work and I am finding it hard to believe how fast the summer has been going by, and how close it is getting to my departure! Many emotions are starting to set in. I am so excited and can't wait to go, but at the same time I know how hard the good-byes are going to be. Sometimes I think a year is not long at all and it's going to fly by, but then other times I think wow... a year not seeing my family and friends...it's going to be a challenge. I think it will be both- super exciting and challenging at the same time. Even though the adventure hasn't begun yet, I already feel like I have been blessed and learned about trust. I was worried about raising the money I needed in the short amount of time I had ($3,500), but I have been so overwhelmed by the support and generosity of everyone! I ended up exceeding this amount by a lot. I can't believe how many people- some who know me well and others who don't know me at all- have been so supportive. God has already shown me that He is taking care of me and will take care of me this year no matter what challenges I may face.

Now I am headed up to Philly for Hannah's wedding, then to Nashville for a few days. It should be tons of fun, and then the 19th I fly to Chicago. Orientation with all the volunteers (40 from the ELCA and 30some from the PCA) will be in Chicago for a week and then the 27th I fly to Bratislava with the four other Slovakia volunteers. We will spend a few weeks in Bratislava and then travel to our placements!!!

I will leave you with a selection about steadfast trust written by Catherine of Genoa...
"May this be our prayer: 'I do not want to turn my eyes from you, O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without.' For those who trust in God need not worry about themselves. God's pure love is attentive to all your needs."
This is my prayer for the year.