August 28th, 2013 by Zac

If I’m honest, I will admit that I really didn’t think it would get this far! Really. Not that I didn’t believe God could do it. But you know, the uncertainty of chasing a dream, questioning, “is it really from God” and all the skepticism that goes along with that kind of thinking. However, I didn’t stop praying. I didn’t stop asking you to pray with me for it. And now it is REALLY HAPPENING!

I  (Kim) want to share with you a dream God has given me for Slovakia. Many of you may have already heard about it, but it doesn’t hurt repeating it!

Last year when I was in the hospital for over 3 weeks, I stumbled on and began reading “blogs.” It was really my first experience with this kind of a blog. Until then, I only understood blogs to be like mine: I tell about all the ministry things we are doing here in Slovakia. The audience is people who support us – kind of boring, but purposeful. Read the rest of this entry »

August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

For eleven years we have been here in this city and we have done very little for the Roma (or Gypsy) people. I feel a sense of disgrace to announce it openly. But, God has helped us to break through whatever barriers were holding us back for all these years and we have taken some baby steps toward these needy people.

It started back in April, when our church leadership team felt God leading our church family into the issues of justice and compassion. Since that time, we have learned so much about God’s heart for the poor, oppressed, mistreated, abused and fatherless.

A couple of key Bible verses continue to resonate in my heart.

„The righteous car about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.“  Proverbs 29:7

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will reward him for what he has done.“ Proverbs 19:17

When our church family got to the part in the series where we should investigate areas of injustice and where compassion is needed in our city, we were attracted to one opportunity in particular.

About a year ago, two young single girls from another local church in our city, got a passion from God to help Roma (Gypsy) children in the Roma neighborhood in our city. So, for one year, they had been visiting these children each Monday afternoon to do a kids club.

Our church decided to join these faithful girls in this ministry. 

 To date, we have helped with the weekly Bible club until the end of the school year. Then we came with the idea of a week long day camp for the summer. Each day this past week, we have visited the village for this day camp. (See the next post for details about the day camp). 

 We thank God for teaching us so graciously about himself and for leading us to this opportunity to know him better through touching poverty, injustice and oppression.

Our understanding has only just started. 

August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

“Gypsies will never change!” “They will only take advantage of you”. “They can’t learn like everyone else”.”They will just spend any money you give them on alcohol”.

These are the common phrases you hear when you bring up the topic of helping Gypsies.

From all the discriminated people that I have ever encountered (African Americans, American Indians, Jews, Mexicans), I believe Gypsies are the most widely hated in the world. For centuries they have lived in Central and Eastern Europe. As many as 500,000 were exterminated in the Holocaust. It is estimated that now 6 of the 10 million European Roma, live in Central and Eastern Europe.

So, how does one church help in this centuries old situation? How does one small group of God followers make a difference? Read the rest of this entry »

August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

*10 English conversation camps

*10 different camp locations

*10 Slovak local churches / youth group teams involved

*2 music (Fusion) camps

*2 Slovak local churches / youth group teams involved for Fusion camps

*12 American local church teams

*300+ campers who heard and experienced the gospel.

*Final number of decisions for Christ are still being totaled

*Countless hours of preparation

*Thousands of dollars/Euros invested

*Impact on the churches of Slovakia – limitless!!

August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

It’s a bit daunting – the faces of all those students in the classrooms, who want some hope and help about how reach their dream of a healthy family. They are normal High School students, lost in a sea of desires for love, sex, acceptance and the now. Future is so far away. By the time they are married and start their family, much of their potential for a healthy family is damaged or broken, with a slim chance of anything being repaired enough to function properly.Some are drawn to God’s truth about life, but it’s like a blurry hologram of truth. They seem to sense the truth in what we teach them, but the leap of faith is so intimidating.

After a long day of class lectures this past spring, I met one girl at an afternoon activity we sponsored, for follow-up. Read the rest of this entry »

August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

One year ago, July 27th, at around 4pm, I received the chilling phone call from Kim. She had been in a car accident and she said “it was serious”. The hours that followed presented the most serious crisis ever faced in our family.

But one year later, we are remembering God’s grace to us in those hours. Kim, Gwyneth, Sam and Hampton are all strong and healthy once more.

And even though no one would like to repeat the pain and fear of that time, the relational benefits, personal growth and spiritual changes that have occurred cannot be denied.

We are so thankful to God for his faithfulness and care for us even during crisis times.

August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

I’m a fisherman from my childhood, thanks to my parents, who encouraged it and loving men like Bill Bennet, Shorty Jones, Arnold Jacobs & Lavon Post who took the time to teach me.

But fishing in Slovakia is another story. I always dreamed of being able to fish here, but language and the red tape of getting a fishing license always intimidated me.

But this year, after 11 years living here, I had a break through. I met a Slovak fisherman who was willing to guide me through the process of getting my fishing license. And guess what? I’m fishing in Slovakia!! 

My first fish was a big fat Karp (the sacred fish of Slovaks). I know – a “junk fish” by American standards, but it was fun to catch and quite an experience to clean it. And a whole other experience to try to eat it!

But I’m glad I had the experience. Maybe one day I’ll be fortunate enough to catch a Slovak trout or some other exotic Slovak fish. But for now, most of the thrill is just being a fisherman again.