A not so normal way to wash the floor...

Yesterday after lunch Kristen and I cleaned up as usual and then Pali (the cook) told us he was going to wash the kitchen floor, so we stayed to help. Well, we actually ended up being entertained rather than helping. Jano, one of the guys and Pali began washing the floor by squirting an enormous amount of soap all over. Jano was barefoot and began pouring buckets of water on the floor and he slid across tons of soap suds. I told Pali I had never seen a floor washed like this before, and he said “Oh yes, I don’t know people who wash the floor barefoot” as if that was the only strange thing about it. As the music in the kitchen blared Pali and Jano danced and slid around while scrubbing the floor very intensely. Kristen and I sat in the corner sipping our coffee, and wondering how they could so confidently wash the floor like this- I mean soap suds covered the entire floor along with tons of water. After the floor was very thoroughly scrubbed they began to forcefully throw more buckets of water across the floor to rinse the soap away. Luckily the kitchen floor has a couple of drains that the water could go down. After a couple of minutes of throwing buckets of water on the floor the soap suds still were not gone. Next thing we know Jano has the hose that he disconnected from the laundry room next door and he is spraying the floor with it. This was much more efficient and after a short while the soap was gone and the majority of the water had been pushed down the drain and the rest was left to dry. Kristen and I decided we had now really learned how to wash a floor and the next time it needs cleaning we would like to give this new method a try.

Meet some of the Chlapci (Guys)

I have been enjoying my new placement and all of the people here and I thought I would introduce you to some of the chlapci I have gotten to know. I won’t write their names to protect their privacy.

One of my favorite guys is 19, full of energy, but really nice and welcoming. He is always ready to talk and very patient and understanding as I try to have conversations in Slovak. There are some people who are just easier to talk to and much more helpful in learning Slovak and he is one of them. He never went to school growing up, but he comes to the English classes here and is always participating in the activities. He also really enjoys music and singing worship songs during our Bible studies. One of his famous English phrases is “Why?!....Because!” and after a couple of times back and forth “OK!”

Then there is one of the few guys who does go to school. He is also really easy to talk to, understanding and uses whatever English words he knows in conversation with me. He is a really good artist, and also loves taking pictures. When the Koreans were here he used my camera to take pictures during the programs and had so much fun. He also enjoys listening to music and asking Kristen and I to translate the English songs into Slovak, which is interesting and usually not very successful. He is really thoughtful- like this morning he left a note on our door in English that said “Kristen and Jessica- Good morning. See you later. Good Bless you”. (People have trouble with the difference between good and God in English)

There is another chlapec who is very understanding, easy to talk to, and a regular at English classes and Bible studies. He is also helpful for me learning Slovak- after English the other day he went through a bunch of vocabulary flashcards quizzing me, and teaching me new words. Then there is one of the guys who doesn’t usually come to the activities, but he is really nice and I see him around often. The only word he knows in English is “friends” and he likes to just throw it into anything he is saying to me. So he will be talking in Slovak and then just say “friends” in the middle of everything. I think he needs to learn another word now.

There are a lot more I could write about, but I will save that for another time. Overall they are really nice guys, but have had difficult lives. It makes me realize how much I have taken for granted. Most of them don’t have families, haven’t finished school (a handful have never been to school, and there is a handful who are going to school now), and don’t have money or material possessions. They also have to face the prejudices against them because they are Gypsies. When I see them come to Bible studies, or when they are playing worship songs and singing in their free time, or when they talk to me about believing in God I see how God is active and working here.

I am sure you all know that I have changed placements, and have been in Velky Slavkov for about a week. I have been meaning to post for a while to tell you about it, but it has been pretty busy here. I am living at Myln, a center for Gypsy guys who are homeless and have various addictions and psychological problems. There are about 30 chlapci (boys/guys) living here.

Last week was busy and kind of unusual here, because there was a mission team from Korea here doing various programs and activities with the chlapci. They taught Tai Kwon Do, which was really fun and everyone loved it. After dinner we usually met in one of the large rooms here and played games or sang songs together. One of my favorite things is when we sang worship songs that everyone knew- So there were people singing in Slovak, Korean, and me and Kristen in English some and Slovak some. We also went to the Tatra Mountains with them and did some extreme sledding! It was a really good time for me to get to know everyone here, and a lot of fun.

This week things slowed down a bit, but there never seems to be a dull moment with a house full of so many people. Each morning begins with a Bible study with all of the workers before everyone begins the day. I usually help in the kitchen in the mornings, preparing the lunch for everyone. Usually there is somethingg going on in the evenings also- Mondays Kristen and I do a Bible study with the chlapci, Wednesday and Friday night we have an English class, and then usually on Tuesday nights is a community meeting. Tonight we planned a special party for Valentine's Day which should be a lot of fun. We made two cakes, and made a pinata (I'm not sure what gave us the idea to bring some Mexican traditions to Slovakia, but people here are quite excited for it!) We will have games and music also, so it should be a lot of fun. I will have to write more later, but that is an overview of everything. I wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!!!