Leadership Conference : Spain

We just returned from assisting at NLI's 3rd ORGANIX conference at a monestary (pictured above) in El Espinar, Spain. This conference saw over 100 leaders come together from across Spain for a time of teaching and connection. We taught a seminar twice on the role creativity and problem solving plays in strong leadership. Also, we helped facilitate a team building activity on following and leading (picture of people with their eyes closed). Amber also shared in a workshop about women in ministry - this topic apparently made a big impact on a lot of the women who attended.

It was great to be a part of this event. The leaders who attended expressed how they view this conference as an integral part of their ongoing development as a movement. On a smaller scale, it was amazing to connect with people over meals (which take at least an hour-and-a-half in Spain) about where they have come from and where they are going. It was a real treat for us to be able to sit down with young couples who, like us, are learning about marriage and ministry simultaneously.

Thank you for keeping this event in your prayers - it was a success!

*wrote this post just after we returned, but posted it late

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a Little Chocolate Devil

Meet Čert (Chert).

Our language tutor taught us about a rather interesting tradition: Today, being his Name Day, many European countries celebrate Sväty Mikuláš aka Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Traditionally, on the eve of December 5th, children would polish and set out out their shoes in anticipation of Saint Nicholas' arrival. That night St. Nick would arrive by horse drawn coach and leave children either a gift or a lump of coal, depending on behavior per annum naturally. This all sounds quite familiar so far (and you thought Santa Claus was an original idea...).

In Slovak days gone by, Sväty Mikuláš was accompanied by Čert, the devil, and an angel. The devil would come rattling chains and dealt with those children whose behavior was lacking over the past year while the angel was for those more well-adjusted kids. Google and Wikipedia have loads of interesting tid bits about this tradition that is rich in history and is still practiced, in different forms, all across Central, Eastern and Northern Europe.

As is the way with most traditions, this one has grown into something different now. Today family and friends will exchange little chocolate Saint Nicholas figures. As you can see there is also the chocolate Čert option if you are wanting to deliver a clear message to a misbehaving kid, but rest assured, the child's therapist will probably here about it one day!

Jet Lag...We Meet Again

The secret is out - we snuck in a power visit to Canada.

The catalyst to the whole trip was Amber being in a friends wedding. From there it grew into an action packed 3 weeks of seeing friends, going to the doctor, spending time with family, visiting the dentist, meetings, speaking engagements, random appointments and stocking up on some goodies for our first Christmas "abroad". It was full - in a good but exhausting way.

To add to the logistics of it all we tried to surprise people (see the video) which made for even more juggling. Facebook is quickly jeopardizing the longevity of the secret!

By no means did we accomplish everything on our list or get to see everyone we wanted to (which is sad). Being on Canadian soil was not a vacation, but was still energizing. For starters, we only had to think in 1 language. The real goodness came from being able to connect with friends and family while sharing cow meat (yeah Alberta steak), Starbucks, sushi and indoor carpeting. Thanks to everyone who took some time out to see us.

We returned to Slovakia today and have encountered another old friend - jet lag. This blog is 1 part overdue, 1 part an amends to everyone we did not see, but mainly 8 arts an attempt to stay up until at least 10pm...

Surprise

Amber's thoughts on Emerge: Women's Leadership Conference

This past weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of Next Level International's first ever Women's Conference. Linda Howell, director of Leadership Development & Women's Development for NLI, has a vision to see 1 million women across Europe to be equipped and challenged to move into leadership. This was the first step towards seeing her dream become reality. Sheldon's connection with NLI was my in, and so I had the chance to help out where I could. I was working alongside the other women from NLI and a team of American women - we had a great time!

Perhaps what surprised me most was how much I was impacted over the weekend. There was a fabulous worship band and for the first time in 10 months, I was able to worship in English.... it was incredible. I believe I've taken my ability to worship God forgranted. After 10 months of struggling through worship songs in Slovak, where I'm so focused on getting the pronounciation of the words right, let alone understanding what I'm singing... I was able to worship God effortlessly. It was such a gift.

In addition, I was able to connect with one woman in particular that really spoke into my life. There are definitely times when I feel that at 25, I am in WAY over my head. Through a one hour conversation I was able to gain perspective, peace and the realization that I'm not the only one to have gone through a challenging time.

This weekend once again proved to me that God often does incredible things in a person at the most unexpected times.



The all Slovak, all girl worship band!



In the front row the 3 main speakers: Linda Howell, Gabrielle Reinas & Judith Green (from left)

Whose Laughing Now?!

This past Tuesday evening I (Matthew) was helping at a discussion club our church hosts for university students. It's called Potichu Nahlas (Quietly Outspoken). As part of an icebreaker game everyone had to make up a story about the person to their left. So my friend got quite a few laughs at my expense as they told tall tales about me...of which I understood enough to know that I was getting razzed pretty good.

Then it was my turn. Speaking in front of a group of strangers in a language in which they are fluent and I am not is a humbling experience at best.

Though I struggled with my grammar, I got in a good joke. People laughed at what I said and not just how I said it (or mispronounced it). I've missed being funny. It was a good feeling.

That said - there is still so much to learn!

Our Migratory Church

This is the VBC Business Centre located within Centrum (downtown Nitra). It has a large "congress hall" that has sat empty for years now - until last week. Church family went in and washed, scrubbed and cleaned away years of dust to get it ready for Mozaika. You can read more about it at www.vbc.sk (there is an English option in the top right hand corner).

The facility includes a dedictaed foyer, a large meeting hall with chairs and a stage, and a space behind the stage where kids programs can take place. It is everything Mozaika needs and it has been promised to us only for the month of October. We have had our past two Sunday services there and there are already ideas swirling around of what we could do with this space if it was ours.

So we are thankful that we have this space and very much appreciate all your prayers BUT we still need your support. The VBC administration has told us that there is another business interested in renting the space. This other business is willing to rent the room 24/7 (thus pay more) while we can only afford to rent the room on Sundays. We are not sure whether this is a business tactic to pressure us into signing a 24/7 contract (afterall, what are the odds of 2 businesess wanting the same spcae in the same week after it has sat empty for years). The VBC will make a decision regarding who gets the room by the end of the month. So for now we know we have a space to meet in until the end of October.

The Mozaika family would really like this space. Not only is it in a good location and a good facility, but the VBC intends to remodel the room in 2 years time as part of a larger building renovation plan. As such we could renovate the room however we want since they will demolish it all anyway. So we could build multiple kids rooms, paint, post community bulletin boards etc.

So keep praying with us.