Easter In Banska

I had an amazing idea for a post a week or so ago. I thought, "I'll put that up for Easter. People would enjoy it." Now for the life of me I can't remember what it was. So instead I'm just going to put my random thoughts on Easter this year up on the internet for all to see.

This is my first Easter not being at home. It is strange to think about actually.  Last year I missed Christmas but very deliberately was home for Easter. This year I miss both.  Hopefully I don't regret it, but at the very least it is going to be a different experience.

Being in Slovakia itself makes Easter seem different.  Two weeks ago a big tree was put up in the middle of the square and decorated with paper Easter eggs. Then all these booths selling different folk arts were set up on the square and a kind of spring festival appeared.  I enjoyed it when I was able to get to the square, but that wasn't very often.  One day I made a point of it and was able to catch a folk music and dance group performing. The dance was pretty lame (compared to the fast paced, competitive Ukrainian dance of my youth) but I really enjoyed taking pictures of their costumes.  They really intrigued me.  Now I'm even wondering if I should buy myself one of their traditional blouses as they are very pretty in my mind and would stand out against traditional Ukrainian clothing.

Someone's funny belt got loose!

There is one thing about Easter in Slovakia that I'm not very stoked about at all. It is their Easter Monday tradition of throwing water on girls and hitting them with willow sticks. It is meant to bring girls fertility or something but I think it was more of a spring flirting ritual as all the young guys are the ones going door to door dowsing people. Apparently Slovak girls even like it. So I am praying very hard for nice weather Monday so I'm not freezing when I'm wet! As for the willow sticks- we saw tons on sale in the square but Shay didn't buy one so I think I'm safe on that account. 

This Easter was the first time that I had ever prayed the Stations of the Cross. A Slovak Catholic friend took us and it was great!  I can't believe that I had never been exposed to this before. I think it was one of the moments that I realized that ecumenism is something that is important in Canada too. If I had been part of an ecumenical group in Canada, who knows how my relationship with God would have grown and matured? So even if you are Protestant, take some time to think about the death of Jesus.   You can find a prayer outline here that was made for youth, but I'm sure there are many more around. Really check it out!  

Have a Good Friday and Great Easter.  

He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!

Bratislava Christmas Market

I love Christmas. I don't think I realized until I spent a year in a warm, foreign country without my family.   Now I don't take Christmas for granted. So when we were able to go to Bratislava for the Christmas Market last weekend, we were so excited. It ended up being quite the adventure too!

Janko hosted us at his own home and also some of his friends let us stay at their flat. However, we arrived Saturday morning to go into the city and found that one of the other residents of the floor had changed the lock on the metal gate. And no one seemed to be home to let us in or the people inside out!  Thankfully one man came home from his shopping and had the new key. But the stress of wondering if  we were going to get them out is pretty crazy!

This is our group minus me with all the identical flats behind us.

The UFO Bridge in Bratislava from the castle.

 My favorite church in the world! Not quite as beautiful after they cleaned it up, but I think it is still my favourite.

 Bratislava Castle from across the river

The view of the castle from the top of the UFO bridge. That is one fancy restaurant!

Enough of just the pretty city. Now for the Christmas stuff!!

This says Christmas Market on the signs. 

 Some pretty little Christmas shops. I think they are adorable!

Nice little trees on a side street

 Lollipops for Christmas?

Cute hanging gingerbread house.

Hot Honeywine (Medovina)

It was so nice to have a Christmas adventure with a somewhat cold climate
 (even if we didn't have any snow at all). 

Bojnice Hrad

I LOVE CASTLES!

I didn't realize how much I love castles until yesterday. That is when I took Shay to once of the nicest castles in Slovakia for his birthday. And I hope I can be forgiven if I enjoyed it more than he did (although he did really enjoy it too).

And because it is so GORGEOUS I hopefully can be forgiven for posting so many pictures (hint: you can click on the pictures to see them full size!)

The Birthday Boy!

Gold leaf ceiling? Yep!

The cave below the castle

These last few pictures are credited to Nick, one of the other DTS students who came with us. He isn't camera shy, but doesn't like pictures on public blogs. So I'll just give him a shout out!

We haven't had this many pictures of us together EVER. So I'm kinda enjoying them.

Ta ta!

First Two Weeks

When I left to come back to Slovakia for this trip I told myself that I would do a better job of posting on my blog this year. I definitely have not. I forgot how long it takes to get into the rhythm. And with the extra stresses and planning that comes with being staff I'm finding it difficult to have enough time. Right now I'm drafting this while on a bus to Bojnice for a day trip. It is Shay's birthday this weekend and pictures of the beautiful castle there will becoming soon. But I haven't even shared about teachings yet! Last week a wonderful woman of God who has been in YWAM since it's first school of evangelism came to speak. I had met her and her husband before but she always inspires me to become a greater and more faithful woman of God. if I have half as many adventures when I'm seventy then I will be very happy! Unfortunately smuggling bibles into Slovakia isn't really an adventure anymore (praise be to God for that!).

She taught us about prayer and the fear of the Lord. I really love her teachings on prayer because you can tell how much of a prayer warrior she is. Her daily intercession on others behalf, her group intercession for countries and cities, how she approaches God with prayers for herself.

One of the most inspiring things she told us about is women from her town coming together to pray. they come from 14 different denominations (every one in town except the evangelicals-which makes me sad because my church at home is evangelical. I hope we wouldn't pass an opportunity like this up). And these women meet together and learn what is happening in different churches and pray. A could times a year they put on a luncheon and invite Christian women to come but they are required to bring one unsaved friend. They have a speaker and lots of fun. And through these women getting to know eachother, the denominations are working together. When two churches hire a youth worker jointly and give them a commission to work with all the towns youth, that is a huge step for unity in The Church.

I also believe she has a powerful understanding of prayer. And it probably is what people have tried to teach me my entire life, but when YWAM explained it for some reason it clicked: Prayer is partnering with God. We ask God what he wants us to pray for and do and we agree with his plan by praying with the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is present and you already know God wants to do it you can pray with strength and confidence! Your prayers and words are strong to tear down and build up. I had even heard this teaching last year. It's amazing how quickly you can forget if you aren't actively applying. But I have six months to practice applying this whenever I'm interceeding on anothers behalf or my own.

This week we had another speaker and he was Irish but living in Scotland. He also has acting training so it was so fun listening to him switch between accents. He spoke on sin, forgiveness, conviction vs condemnation, and giving up rights. Those seem like some pretty tough topics, and they are, but he was so easily able to make it real for us. One of his best analogies was about sin and temptation. (Skip to the next paragraph if you have a weak stomach).  Temptation is a nice, shiny wrapper from your favorite candy ( werthers or toffee?) that gets you excited in anticipation and you greedily want the candy... But as you unwrap it and shove it in your mouth you realize it isn't a candy. It's poop. And you taste it and smell it and your breath stinks. It is the grossest analogy ever but sin is gross. And when he was explaining it I was actually very grossed out. But I think it was good to use such a strong idea.

He also taught on how we need to lay down our rights. I hadn't really thought about it before, but the places where you are frustrated and upset with God often are the places where you are unwilling to lay down what you think are your rights in that area. If I think I have a right to a white picket fence life, I'll be upset when it isn't what I have. If I think I have a right to use my money and have a good reputation, and to get married, and to live where I want to then I will not be grateful for God's blessings when they aren't what I think I deserve.  Its such a sacrificial and biblical message, but I've thought my whole life that making sure that I have those rights is the most important thing. To lay them down and let God tell me what is actually what I need.

Next week we talk about the Father heart of God. I LOVE this speaker and his message. And I will upload pictures from today ASAP as well. Thank you all for your prayers. They mean so much to us, and we really do rely on them!

Urpin

This weekend we went exploring!

We went up the "hill" called Urpin to the chapel and for a hike. It turned into a much more intense walk than I expected. We went all the way to the observatory.  I don't think I'll ever take that route to the observatory EVER again. 

The Chapel

The Observatory

If you look really close you can see students behind the trees!

I also had a chance to take pictures in town. So here is one the I got the other day just as the lights were turning on and the sun setting. I really like this building. 

Tomorrow our speaker is Reona, an original YWAM-er. She spoke last year and I'm so excited for her to be here again!  She challenges me to be a stronger woman of God.

Slovak Concert!

Today is the end of day four.

Last night we had a very cool opportunity as the DTS to go to a concert of Hillsong Live.  This was a VERY big deal in Slovakia. Slovaks from all across the country came to a basketball arena (is it an arena if its small? More like a gymnasium) to be at a Hillsong concert.  The place was amazingly full.

And although I was disappointed by the first couple songs, they actually were a good show.  To see all those Slovaks praising God, with hands raised and in English none the less.

While this event wasn't nearly as big as YC, the other times I've seen Hillsong.. I think the worship was great and worth our evening even if I didn't know about 1/3 of the songs.

I also got to see my Slovak parents at the concert!  Janka's parents came with her and I got big hugs from both of them.  It's so nice to have Slovaks that love me, even if we don't speak the same language. 

Hopefully I'll be able to blog more this weekend. Now we are off to visit the city!  

First Week Back

Well the first week back in Slovakia has been pretty eventful!  Outside of all the preparation work that needed to be done for the students (who began DTS today!) we actually got to do quite a bit!

This weekend was the market (which has a real name in Slovak, but I didn't learn it) in the town square. It actually was a HUGE event!  They brought in acts from Russia and some former Yugoslavian country (which one in particular I forget) to be on the main stage on Friday and Saturday nights.  They also had vendors lining the streets selling all kinds of goods.  It was so much fun just watching people and looking at the goods!

There were balloons EVERYWHERE!

These cookies are everywhere.  Some of them said "lasky" or versions of that word which can be translated love. I'm not sure what all the others say, but they all are heart shaped so I expect they are for sweethearts.  And no I didn't get one. 

They also had falconers (is that the real word? I just made it up...) who were showing off their birds.  It seems to be a pretty big thing here and they had quite a few different birds.  These owls were my favourite but they also had actual falcons and a hawk and a raven.  I'd love to see them actually practice with them.  I know some castles have birds of prey that they show for tourists, hopefully we will get a chance to see that. 

We also had a birthday party which is where all these pictures came from.

Yes this is a gummy bear cake. But it has gummy cows and frogs and mice and the normal worms and bears. Shay says they were surprisingly good. 

It is the end of day 2 of the DTS. I'm already wiped but I'm so happy!  I love this group. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to post a bit about what we are doing.  I have yet to pull out a camera this week though. That is how busy it is.

Prayer Requests

Hi Everybody!

I'm just 24 hours away from leaving Alberta and 7 days from leaving the country. I don't think I'm quite comprehending it.   However I've been asked a couple times to share my prayer items as I head out to do another 7 months with YWAM. I don't know if I have officially said on this blog but my boyfriend Shay will be going to Slovakia as a student in the DTS, something that we are so grateful to be allowed by our staff. We really appreciate having the opportunity to be on the same base.

I love this picture of the WWII museum in Banska.

So my prayer requests are these:

For safety on our travels as last year my bus got in an accident on my way to the airport. 

That God would be preparing me and all TEN students for the months ahead of us.

Prayer for safety for those students and that God would work their circumstances that they can come without regrets for leaving people behind in their home countries. 

That God would help me reconnect with the other staff that I already know, and maybe even bring us someone else to help?

For Shay and me to be able to handle anything that gets thrown at us in these next months.

For wisdom as I'm going to have to make many more decisions than last year.

I want to be open to everything God has to teach me this next year so I'm praying that my heart and mind and spirit would be fertile soil and that I would learn how to bring this new understanding back into how I live my life in Canada. 

For guidance as we decide where we will be doing outreach (please somewhere warm!)

Lastly, I'm asking God for cohesion for our group. Last year we hardly had any reason to feel disconnected as a group. We got along so good. I am praying that God would help that be the case this year and prepare each persons heart to want to make the group one that is connected and very much a family.  I know that takes time, but I'm really praying for it to happen quickly.  

Thank you to everyone who has already told me that they are praying. I'll keep you updated on what you can be praying for and what is going on in a general sense. I expect that the next week I'll be in an internet black hole but look for a post while we are waiting to take off in Vancouver or between flights in London.  

Blessings, Alison

Announcement!

Announcement, Announcement, A-NNO-UNCE-MENT! 
(my brothers might realize I'm trying to imitate in writing how a certain tape we used to listen in the car would say this, everyone else thinks i'm crazy. go camp caribou anyways!)


So if you haven't heard... I'm going back to Slovakia!

This is Kosice I believe...

After hard thinking, much praying, a bit of freaking out, some waiting, and only a tad of discussion: I applied and was accepted back as staff. Which means more responsibility, more work, more blessings (I hope) and thankfully smaller fees.

I'm so excited yet nervous to go back. I had the perfect experience when I did DTS myself. How could this next year measure up to that?  Can I actually lead people in a missions trip of some sort? The list goes on.

I always hate buying the tickets. Because that is one of the biggest expenses. But that is done already. No going back now! It is just packing and stocking up and all kinds of other things left to do. And making money.  Good thing I still have a month left to work!

Slovakia Spring

It rains here in the spring. Which is crazy. Lots and lots of rain in the last week. Last week it was beautiful! Sunny, warm. This week is rainy and fairly warm, but rainy and dreary mostly.

This was last week in Bratislava at a beautiful blue church. I haven't taken any pictures of the rain.

Last week we had a video series from a speaker from the states, Lance Wallnau.  It actually was really great.  It is about not only being focused on saving souls, but also discipling the nations and changing our cultures. It was very interesting and exciting. I think this is the teaching that many of the youth in the church need to hear right now. Because we don't want an exit strategy.  And that is what the salvation message kinda is... hold on until you die or Christ comes back because then its eternity with Him.  But this message adds to that by saying that we need to be influential and change the society for the good, that God actually has a mission that is greater than just saving the world, it includes changing the world and nations that we live in.

I really want to get the video series and start spreading the message. Because I think lots of people have this sort of thing on their hearts, they just think that they are being bad Christians by trying to be influential people who are going to fight for godliness in our culture.

So that was last week. This week is something a little more personal, essentially a week to find our strengths and goals to help us what to do next. What to do with the rest of our lives. It has been really interesting too. I realized today that it is exactly two weeks until we are done DTS. Then it is going to be goodbyes and busses and airplanes. How crazy!