evening colors

pigeon terrorism

department of homemade security

Good Energy

The coolest moment of my trip to Croatia over the long Easter weekend was walking very solemnly into the ruins Diocletian's seaside colosseum. Here were the seats for the rulers, there were the doors for the wild animals, and the doors where the martyrs and gladiators entered, and that hole there in the middle of the floor was for taking the dead bodies out. No doubt there was an energy in that place, and I was so full of emotion that I ran out into the grass in the middle and did a cartwheel. A few minutes later a balding, sunburnt German man named Pete walked up to tell me I had 'good energy,' even in this 'empty' place. He walked around the arena with his notebook and pencil stuffed in his black jeans, his black shirt sleeves rolled up, and has palms stretched out to the ground to 'sense the readings.' He came back again to talk about energy and I started to form an idea but I chickened out. And the 3rd time I went up to him and said something like, 'Listen Pete. Here's MY theory about energy: there's a spirit inside of me which is so full of life that cannot be restrained even from cartwheeling over a place where people have died, because I know that the carcass hole in the floor is not the end of what's living in me. Death is not the end! It doesn't win! Death itself has been conquered and I am rescued by a Jesus who LIVES! Cartwheel around for joy!

Jan Feb March April Pictures

Images of Slovakia

a bit of fall semester

Fall Semester 2008

Newsy news

In November my family purchased a surprise last minute ticket home for Christmas, so I have just returned from 2 weeks doing nothing except sleeping, resting, sitting, eating, replenishing, playing, soaking, touching, hugging, listening, talking, being home with family.

I finished the last of my coursework for Azusa Pacific University just before Christmas, so January is the first month in 19.5 years that I haven't been officially enrolled in any kind of school, and I feel wonderfully wonderfully free. Get this- with all my free time I plan on TEACHING English, STUDYING Slovak, LEARNING how to play my lovely new guitar and READING and WRITING whatever I darn well please. Let the education begin!

January 1st also marks Slovakia's adoption of Euro currency in the final stage of EU participation. I am a bit sad to see the old money(since 1993)go, but I kind of like paying for a meal with "just change."

In other news, Russia was withholding natural gas from Ukrainian pipelines which supply 100% of Slovakia and much of Europe. Some countries farther south were already completely in the cold, Slovaks had shut down a few major factories and schools to conserve, and electric heaters were sold out all over town. Solutions ranged from firing up a recently retired nuclear power plant in central Slovakia, to borrowing from our Czech neighbors, to closing schools and businesses all together and finding a cabin in the country where we could build a fire. I was kind of hoping for the last option, fondly remembering the good old days of blizzards in North Dakota holed up with family, painting all the walls, and eating hot from-scratch vanilla pudding from our propane camping stove. But, our friend the EU marched right over to the Russians and Ukrainians and said, now you boys better start sharing, and why don't you pick on someone your own size, and don't make us come over there...So we haven't lost heat yet and the future is looking...warmer...which is good because it looks like this outside today:



Actually just kidding. My roommate just came in to report that Russia said the deal was off. So we shall see. Maybe more of this to come:

The future is coming. By March, I need to submit my decision whether to stay at my current position at this school, or in Slovakia, or not next year. And if not, what should I do with myself? I think about it every day. Please pray with me that my heart and ears would be open to hear what God has to say about all this.

Why so downcast oh my soul?

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Team

Top 10 frequently asked questions

1. Did you graduate yet?

No. I wore a cap and gown and walked across a stage this summer in good faith that the work I complete this semester will be satisfactory to finish with a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages by Christmas. Twice monthly until then I will submit chapters of a final language program design project. It’s a good way for me to articulate what I’m actually designing and teaching, and at the same time provide a workable product for the school to continue to modify and change in the future. Azusa Pacific University was something that I did in addition to my ESI contract, so even though my studies will be coming to an end in December, I will still continue to teach under ESI at my school.

2. Do you still raise $ support?

Yes. With my returning teacher discount for this year plus the remaining balance from last year, I need to raise a total of $3100 plus airfares (which are usually in the $1200-$1500 range for round trips). You can help me stay here by giving at http://teachoverseas.org/contribute.php . One time gifts are greatly appreciated, as are commitments to give $20 or $50 monthly for 10 months, or until June 2009.

3. Are you going to live in Slovakia forever?

Maybe. But right now I’m just committing to serve my school for one year at a time. Exciting news: as of this month, I have a work visa that’s good until the summer of 2010! Pray for me as I think about the future.

4. What does your ministry look like?

This summer someone commented that I was “not a real missionary” in the classic sense of the word. I would agree in that I call myself a teacher first. However, some of my best conversations with students have come out of class discussions. Teaching Literature and Writing is a great way to get teenagers to really think, form and support opinions about meaningful themes. For example, once, after reading Edgar Allen Poe’s The Telltale Heart, students moved to different parts of the room based on how strongly they felt about statements about having a conscience, committing crimes, and experiencing guilt, grace, and forgiveness. One girl stayed afterwards to find out what I really felt, and I was able to share about Jesus in my own life! This year I’m excited to strengthen relationships with students, some of whom I’ve interacted with on an almost daily basis for 2 years now. Pray for us.

One way to do this is to continue the “coffee-time chats” that my former teammate Katie and I tried a few times last year. We announce the time and place in advance, and see who shows up for English conversation in a more informal, non-school setting. My goal is to organize one at least once a month, maybe even weekly as everybody gets into a regular schedule. Pray for us.

Also, most of my students are my “friends” on Facebook, which is a great way for me to be transparent about my life and faith as well as keep conversations going. Once I updated my status in Slovak and was surprised by the number of comments I got from students. So I know they’re watching me and will read whatever I write or look at whatever picture I post. Pray for me.

5. What do you actually teach?

This year I’m teaching freshmen General Literature and Writing, sophomore American Literature, junior British Literature, senior Elective Academic Writing, and super senior Advanced Literature for English Maturita and State Exams. The last two classes have never been taught before, as this is the first year that the school will be functioning as a complete 5-year bilingual program. So it’s still kind of crazy, but I get to be creative, and I like it. I have the coolest job. Pray for me.

6. How can we pray for you?

More and more I’m recognizing a theme among my friends and colleagues, in my students, and in the people I see in my neighborhood and around town. It’s simply this: they have no idea that they are known and loved by God, and they try to fill up their lives with beautiful clothes, thermal spas and perfect holidays, alcohol, a great education, a boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. Living here, it’s easy for me to get sucked into the same mindset, even when I know better. Pray that my life would reflect the truth and freedom I know in Christ, and that I would open my mouth to tell about it.

7. What's your ESI team like this year?

This will be my third year teaching in Slovakia with Educational Services International(or anywhere). I still live with my two original roommates - Karin and Jenni - my good friends, closest encouragers, and accountability partners. The larger Slovakia team includes Vic, Darla, Anna and Dominik D’Ettorre, plus an additional team of three new women (Katie, Kate, and Kim) who arrived two weeks ago. Pray for us.

8. Did you go home this summer?

I WAS home (meaning western NY) for a quick few days at the beginning of July before heading out to CA for 2 ½ weeks to study. Then I was home again for 2 ½ weeks before flying back here in mid-August. Pray for my family.

9. How's your Slovak?

Pretty good! I’m at the fun stage where I can piece together meaning during sermons and staff meetings when I know the context. I can eavesdrop on buses and students, and I can read signs and children’s books. I can carry on simple conversations with my friends and the old lady whose house we stayed at this past weekend. Slovaks are very complimenting and encouraging when they see that an American is trying to speak their heart language, which makes it very motivating for me to try. And today I ordered postage stamps to the US in the plural form with the correct grammatical declensions at the ends of 4 different words(with the help of my friend, but still, now I know how to do it). Great success!

10. Were there any Slovaks in the Beijing Olympics?

Yes, and they won 3 medals in canoeing/kayaking, 1 medal in shooting, and 1 medal in wrestling. Woohoo!