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Please join us on Sunday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Place for an informational session and reflections on our recent "Vision Slovakia" mission trip. We thank you for your interest, prayers and financial support. We hope you can be with us to celebrate First Lutheran's important work with these wonderful people. Dessert will be served.
Reflections from the Vision Slovakia 2009 Mission Trip
"We came to teach, and we were taught". As one of the newbies to the Slovakia Mission, I witnessed families who had a deep, strong faith, which survived generations where no one could utter the name of God. This is truly God's plan to strengthen the faith of our Slovakian friends who, in turn, truly enriched all of our lives. Thanks be to God! - Marlene Saar
Because this was my second year on this mission trip, it was very rewarding to see many welcoming smiles from former students greeting us on our return trip to Slovakia. By joining us for another year, this demonstrated their desire to continue learning our language and also showed their willingness to learn and accept our Christian message during our teaching of English. This willingness was also evident during our opening exercises each day as they joined us in singing educational songs as well as singing songs of faith. I would like to thank all of you who opened your hearts to support this mission and hope this support will be extended as the need to review and reinforce the message of this year's mission continues for many years in the future. - Wayne Lucht
Over the past four years I've had the incredible opportunity to share music and my faith during Vacation Bible School and English classes in the small village of Pribovce, Slovakia. For seven years our First Lutheran mission teams have watched as our special friends there are re-discovering their Christian faith, following forty years of communist oppression. The children are bringing parents back to the church, and young adults are taking over the teaching in Vacation Bible School - some we knew as 13 and 14 year olds, just a few years ago. We continue to provide music, art and pre-school support in Vacation Bible School. In teaching English to young people and adults, we also have the opportunity to share songs of faith, share verses from the Bible, and demonstrate our love of Christ to these great people. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support as this important mission commitment of First Lutheran continues into the future. - MaryAnn Berg
Many Slovakians have kept their faith during Communism, despite being overlooked for job promotions. Others are seeing God's grace and love through VBS and English being taught by First Lutheran's mission team and are coming back to the church and getting involved in the church. Thank you for believing in this mission and supporting it with your prayers, financial support and your words of encouragement. Together we are bringing others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not only here in this community, but halfway around the world. - Julie Johnson
Two years ago, I didn't know exactly where Slovakia was located. I knew little of their oppression under the Austria-Hungarians, Nazis and Communists. Now I know about this country, its wonderful people and the re-birth of Christianity. Thanks to First Lutheran Church for allowing me to share God's word and make a real difference! - Craig Johnson
With every rainbow we are reminded God’s unfaltering promises. As an art teacher I reflect on that lesson every time students take out colorful crayons, markers, or paints. With each VBS project enjoyed in Slovakia, I feel blessed to be a part of God’s rainbow reminder one-third around the world!
As a teenager preparing for my first mission trip to Mexico, FLC youth leader, Rollie Johnson, shared how with our efforts we might as he “see God in the eyes of another.” Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to see just that as a mission team member in Slovakia. As a Concordia grad I have often shared “Soli Deo Gloria” – to God alone the glory! Indeed this is part of each mission trip – thank you for your part in making this mission possible! - Emily Malm Marcusen
First Lutheran’s mission statement includes the charge “to bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and to help them grow in the Christian faith.” Each mission trip allows us to share this charge by our actions by supporting churches and families in Slovakia formerly under a Communist eye! With grammar lessons when I illustrate parts of speech, I am reminded that God is a “name above all others” which is the noun in the center of our instruction. We as team members become the action verbs fulfilling this mission through your kind support for which we are truly grateful! We know prayers are answered as we are “a part of all who we meet” as we “go in peace . . . serve the Lord.” - Marianna Malm
into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and to help them grow in the Christian Faith.