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!