MAY 2018 UpDATE

Hello friends and family ,

While the political unrest referenced in the previous newsletter has somewhat settled, frustration is still bubbling under the surface here in Slovakia. Unfortunately most the same players involved in the former corrupt government are just being relocated.  "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." Unsavory political leaders have stepped down and the roots of corruption have been exposed thanks to the protests of the Slovak people. Yet change remains slow. Please think of this tiny country sometimes, and pray for continuous change.

End of March

After the events of our last newsletter, we finished up March with one final snowstorm, celebrated Jordy's birthday, had a visit from our friends in the city of Miskolc in Hungary, and an Easter retreat in the mountains. Jordy is not a fan of surprises, but he willingly endured a small celebration of his birthday with as well as prayers and blessings from our precious Bible study group. A few days afterwards, our Miskolc joined us for supper and a short evening walk along Kosice's main street; each time we can meet is precious. We are blessed to have them as friends!

At the tail end of March we celebrated Easter with a retreat with the Halustok family. Despite the rain, our cabin gave us an amazing view of the Tatra mountains and the fellowship deepened our relationship as an extension of the Halustok clan. Jordy spoke about redemption, the Word of the Cross, we sang hymns in Slovak and in English, and we also had a successful Easter egg hunt indoors due to rainy weather. ​

Tragedy and Hope

Last month was the most trying of the whole time we've been in Slovakia. In mid-April our dear brother and friend Andrej O. (He's been mentioned multiple times along with his wife and young boys.) was killed in a motorcycle accident. The news was so sudden and heart wrenching. He was an incredible support to us, generous with his time, patient and intentional in forming a relationship with Jordy. We got to know Andy and Katka during our first year here, when we "clicked" with them immediately as a couple. As an attorney, Andy was instrumental in securing our residency permits, contracts, finding doctors, etc.. His funeral was attended by well over two hundred people, brethren, family and colleagues.  We with our fellowship in Slovakia are just really brokenhearted. While his boys aren't emotionally suffering due to their young ages as they will in the future, his widow Katka is heavy burdened. The boys are 3-years and 4-months old. Andy was only thirty six. 

During the midst of traveling to his funeral near Bratislava (about a four hour drive), we were also waiting for news about Natalie's mom, who had discovered after major surgery that she had a malignant tumor with a rare but very aggressive cancer and underwent more tests. After surgery and tests, her doctor is reasonably sure all the cancerous tissue was removed. She will continue going in for tests every three months. 

On the way back from the funeral, Dixie (Jordan's mom) that severe grass fires were ravaging western parts of Oklahoma, including the ranch of Jordy's parents and grandmother. One of Allen's farms burned, and part of the homestead of Jordan's great-grandmother. But the damage they sustained wasn't nearly as much as others in the area. 

The Sunday after returning from Andy's funeral, we welcomed brethren from Debrecen, a city in Hungary about two hours or so from Kosice, to worship with us. Everything had to be translated from Slovak into English, and from English into Hungarian. But we sang worships songs in all three languages and had a potluck, getting to know each other better. While we weren't able to speak Hungarian, or some of their members didn't know English, there was still a comfortable camaraderie among us. Addie also helped as a charismatic ice breaker. ​

Natalie also had a birthday, even though she thought she thought she had canceled future ones. She celebrated with a dinner date with three of our bible study students, Lenka, Natalia, and Alena, three women who are lovely inside and out. They, like the Halustok family, have embraced us as family - especially Addie. They cherish the times that they can celebrate others. They have helped Natalie feel very welcomed and loved. 

Wrapping up April, we visited Cologne, Germany and were hosted by our friends Uli and Ursula. The grandparents of five, they naturally embraced Addie as number six, and Addie warmed up to them quickly. We were fortunate enough to do a bit of sightseeing in the city proper as well as along the Rhein River. We also attended Sunday morning service at the church, and after the German assembly Jordan presented a program for the English speakers. The church also has outreach programs for refugee children and moms, mostly from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana and North Africa. It is a warm, thriving church full of peoples of every color and nationality, and we count ourselves blessed to be able to visit for a foretaste of heaven. ​

Welcome Springtime

Last week, Jordy bid farewell to his Senior class as they started a new chapter in their lives. There have been two holidays this month, Labor Day and the Day of Victory over Fascism, each a week apart. Most of Kosice (and likely Slovakia) is closed at that point, so we figured getting to know new friends with cookouts would be a good use of our time. We also celebrated the birthdays of Peter, Pepe (Peter's youngest) and Kveta (Peter's mother and Pepe's Grandmother) Halustok. 

As we did last year, we will travel next week to another retreat about Christian business values, principles, and managing finances, headed by Lared, an association of Christian entrepreneurs. Right after that we welcome visitors from Whitehouse Church of Christ in Texas to see what we're up to in Kosice. Jordan is once again eager to be host and tour guide.  

Praise and Prayer Requests

For a long while, we have had a friend, D, who has had many struggles, and has been unable to see that he is the root of most of them, or that he could react differently and make a positive impact in his circumstances. While many of his struggles are related to alcohol abuse, even sober he makes bad decisions. This unfortunately has required him to serve some time in jail here in Slovakia. Even though it will be a short time and it is likely his sentence will be shortened, it is still hard for him, and also for his mother. Please remember them in your prayers.

We also are praising God for Natalie's mom's continued health as she goes through follow-ups and check-ups and passes them all with flying colors. Jordy is also doing well and continuing his new treatment. 

Lastly, please remember Katka O., her sons, and family in your prayers. She has a lot of support, but the road will be long for her.