2008 Slovakia Blog Archive

Retrospective on July in Martin

Friday July 18, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

The conversational English teachers all left Martin Slovakia last weekend on a train bound for Prague, Czech Republic.  The countryside was beautiful as we rolled along, relaxed, and tried to put our mission trip in perspective.

In spite of the disruptions to our planned teaching schedule and dormitory hot water as noted earlier in this BLOG, it was a unique and inspiring experience being at the Bible School this year to help celebrate their 10th anniversary.  Our students, all 60 of them, were some of the best we have had.  They were engaged and attentive during class, and we made many new personal friends among them.  Amid the smiles and laughter at the “graduation” ceremony last Friday, many teachers and students could not suppress the lumps in their throats.  This was a special two weeks for all involved.

Prague was enchanting, even in the rain.  We met up with the Saint Andrew’s choir returning from their concert tour to eastern Slovakia, and we all went on a dinner cruise together to see the city at dusk.  With the pressures of teaching and singing behind us, we celebrated our accomplishments in fine style.

Plans are already being made to return to Martin Slovakia next summer on a similar mission trip.  This is a fine opportunity to reach out to others in this Central European country we hear so little about in the daily news.  Your participation in Vision Slovakia is important, not only to the Bible School there, but also as a way to enrich and strengthen your own personal faith journey.  You will be blessed in ways you cannot imagine.

For more information on Vision Slovakia, contact RLC member Mary Schultz or the church office.

Wrapping Things Up

Friday July 11, 2008
Wrtten by Dave dudley

Yesterday, July 10th, we finished our last full day of teaching conversational English.  The teachers and students alike were beginning to sense that the end of the week was drawing near, and their energy levels sagged in the afternoon.  A new student joined one class at this late date, but she was eager to participate nonetheless.

Today we will hold regular classes this morning and have a special ceremony this afternoon when the Bible School will present certificates o the students.  Some of the students will speak, and we will sing a few songs together before closing with a circle prayer involving both students and teachers.  As always, it will be an emotional event because we have grown very close to the students over the past two weeks.  Our mission statement is “Building bridges through language, friendship, and faith.”  We have achieved that again this year in this very special place, helping carry out the challenging vision of the Bible School as they celebrate heir 10th anniversary and a “Decade of Miracles.”

Tonight we will be taken to the outdoor Museum of the Slovak Village where we will taste some traditional Slovak foods and (hopefully) hear some traditional music.  Then we pack our bags and leave on the train Saturday morning for a day-long ride to Prague in the Czech Republic.  Tuesday we expect to be back in Minnesota again.

To God be the Glory.

Today’s Big Surprises

Wednesday July 9, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

In an earlier BLOG I mentioned that we were having trouble getting reliable hot water in the dormitory.  Well, this morning right in the middle of our first class period, the plumbers arrived  –  jackhammers in hand!  They began to tear up the first floor of the dormitory, right outside our classrooms!  We couldn’t believe what was happening.  We ran around in circles for a few minutes, but quickly evacuated to the relative sanctuary of the Bible School building and the Parish House, where we were able to resume our lessons after the confusion.

The second surprise came when Mary Schultz ran into to see me while I was writing this BLOB entry to show me the latest issue of MY, a local newspaper.  There on the front page was a large color photo of Pastor Jan Hrobon presenting Karen and me, as representatives of RLC, with a gift from the Lutheran church here in Martin.  The photo accompanied a long article (in Slovak) about the 10th anniversary of the Bible School and the relationships this congregation has with RLC and many other congregations in the USA.  We will bring a copy back with us to show you.  Vision Slovakia lives on!  Thanks be to God.

It was another miracle in this decade of miracles for the Bible School.

Now, if we can only get the hot water running before we leave Martin on Saturday!

Lots of English Conversation

Tuesday July 8, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

All three sections of Conversational English are busy.  Some of the students are acting out simple fables.  Others are reading stories and commenting on them.  Still others are discussing current issues like adoption and international travel.

It is much quieter here now that the VBS volunteers have returned home and the Saint Andrew’s choir is touring eastern Slovakia.  We will see the choir members again in Prague this coming weekend before we leave for the USA.

Tonight we enjoyed a hike in the countryside and a picnic at a nearby farm.  This Turiec valley where Martin is located is so beautiful at this time of year.

A Walk Around Martin

Monday July 7, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

We went back to our classrooms today, but some of us did not stay there for long.  Wherever possible we would often gather in small groups with one teacher and 3 or 4 students.  There we would practice conversational English in a more intimate and comforable setting than is possible in a crowded classroom with over 20 people talking at once.  In the sun we go outside.  In the rain we find nooks in the hallway or on the terrace behind the dormitory.

One class took a walk around Martin, and the students acted as our tour guides, answering questions and explaining things to us “tourists.”  Some of the students knew Pastor Jan Bohdon Hrobon, the father of Bohdon, Jan, and three other siblings all involved with Christian ministry in one form or another.  They treked to the national cemetary here and located his grave, explaining what they saw along the way.  Gathered around “Papa Bohdon’s” grave, they volunteered a prayer in recognition of what this giant of a man and dedicated servant of God had done in his lifetime to further Christianity in Slovakia during some very difficult times. It was a beautiful moment.  Pastor Hroban died in 2006.

After school one of the students offered to take us on a tour of Strechno Castle, located between Martin and Zelina.  We took the bus and train to get there, and then climbed the 385 steps up the rocky bluff and eventually to the top of the castle tower.  On the way home it started to rain, but everyone agreed it was a memorable adventure, warmed by the friendship and enthusiam of the students who went with us.

To God be the glory of this time and place, and may he continue to nourish the Bible School here.

Worship and Hikes in the Sun

Sunday July 6, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

Church bells brought us again to worship at the Lutheran church here this morning.  But today the service was held outside in Memorandum Square.  The sun shown brightly and the risers for the Saint Andrew’s choir were set up in front of the church door.  A very large number of people attended, many more than could have been accommodated inside the sanctuary itself.

Both the Saint Andrew’s choir and the Slovak Lutheran choir sang numbers, and the congregation joined in some bilingual hymns as well.  Pastor Jan Hrobon preached an enthusiastic sermon that was simultaneously translated for us through headphones.  Some VBS kids did a reprise of a few songs from last week, so you can imagine what a wonderful service it was for everyone.  At the end of the service Roseville Lutheran and the other participating congregations were honored with some special gifts in recognition of their support of this congregation and the Bible School over he past decade.

In the afternoon Mary Schultz, Karen Dudley, Dave Dudley and several other English teachers all went on a hike in the beautiful hills outside of Martin.  The wild flowers are blooming all over, and it was a fine time to get away for a few hours to enjoy God’s natural world and relax with friends.  Tomorrow we resume teaching conversational English for our second and final week.

Bible School Memories and Visions

Saturday July 5, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

The Bible School at Martin hosted a conference today to help us put the events of the past decade into better perspective and open some windows to the future.  In addition to the Bible School staff (Dr. Bohdon Hrobon, Dr. Michal Vaco, and Dr. Adrian Kacian) we heard speeches by the bishop Msg. Slavomir Sabol of the eastern district of the Lutheran church in Slovakia.  We also heard a fine summary of the historical context for the Bible School from Dr. Milos Kavacka, a longtime personal friend of Bohdon’s father, the late Jan Bohdon Hroban.  Because of the ever expandng role of the Bible School in Slovakia, in the European Union, and in the world, the name of this fine institution will soon be changed to the Center for Christian Education.

In the afternoon individuals shared their memories of the past decade during the growth of the Bible School and associated Elementary School here.  Slovaks and Americans alike shared laughs and tears in the many heartfelt testimonies that followed the formal presentations.

Then in the evening the Saint Andrew’s choir presented a 90-minute choral concert in the Lutheran Church, singing classical as well as contemporary numbers, both of European and of American origin.  This was the first of five concerts they will present this coming week throughout Slovakia.

Following a fine reception in the Elementary School, we all got a good night’s sleep with the wonderful events of the day still fresh in our minds.

Thanks be to God for the Spirit’s guidance in making these miracles happen.

A Decade of Miracles

Friday July 4, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

A driving rainstorm this morning failed to dampen the joy and excitement of this special day — the 10th anniversary of the Bible School in Martin, Slovakia.  Originally planned to be held for all to witness in Martin’s main square, an ominous weather forecast forced events to be held inside instead.  A flurry of schedule changes in cooperation with the Mayor’s office in Martin secured the use of a large auditorium (now used as a movie theater) within walking distance from the Bible School.  The VBS open house and final program would take place there, protected from the nasty weather.

After breakfast we had another surprise.  The US Ambassador to Slovakia, Mr. Vincent Obsitnik, would be visiting Martin to acknowledge the anniversary.  We first met him in the Bible School building, where Bohdan Hrobon explained the significance of the languages (including English) incorporated in the large colored window that dominates that space.  Then we all went to the auditorium where VBS was rehearsing with the Saint Andrew’s choir.  The ambassador praised the many people here from the USA for their partnership with Slovakia, and spoke highly of the progress Slovakia has made economically and socially since independence in 1993.

In the afternoon our English students continued to work earnestly with each other and with us to gain confidence in their conversational English abilities.  They have a positive attitude, and we teachers have seen their definite progress in only one week.  We are eager to continue working with them more hours all next week when they are no longer involved with assisting the VBS program.

The VBS program was a sight to behold, with both children and adults crowding the stage, clad in red, blue, green, and yellow T-shirts.  The children’s singing was enthusiastic, and the Saint Andrew’s choir (still under the effects of jet lag) was a thrilling contrast to the young Slovak voices.  Throughout the auditorium proud parents beamed and cameras flashed.  Another successful VBS for over 300 Martin children had come to an inspiring conclusion.

The celebration, however, was far from over.  The Bible School hosted a reception for all of the volunteers and other special guests from the USA.  Not one, but three musical groups entertained during a hearty Slovak meal at the Elementary School.  Both the conversation and the dancing were filled with laughter, and the room was alive with celebration.

After dark the municipality of Martin helped the visiting Americans to celebrate the 4th of July with a stunning fireworks display visible from historic Memorandum Square in front of the Lutheran Church.  This was an amazing event because Martin was a major industrial center producing heavy armaments for the East Bloc countries during the cold war!

So much has changed here for the better during these past few dacades, both politically and spiritually.  The Bible School in Martin has been a leading voice in the religious revival in Slovakia.  This has truly been a Decade of Miracles for the Bible School.  Those of us who are here in this special place on this special day have been blessed to witness and share this celebration.

The Choir Arrives Today

Thursday July 3, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

Some of us in conversational English began to talk about holidays in Slovakia and in the USA today.  July 4th, of course, is Independence Day in the USA, and July 5th is a double holiday in Slovakia.  The arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia is celebrated here on July 5th.  These missionaries brought the first biblical scriptures to this area and established an Ancient Slovak written language.  July 5th is also named Foreign Slovaks Day because many people of Slovak heritage living elsewhere return here with their families to celebrate the culture and history of their homeland.  Things will definitely be interesting here tomorrow and Saturday on these holidays.

One English class visited the Martin Benka Museum this morning.  This is housed in the artist’s home and studio next to the Cherna Pani hotel.  Benka is recognized as a major national artist, and many of his paintings of peasants and the beautiful countryside in Slovakia are on display.  The students served as our docents, translating the descriptions into English for us.  It was a fine educational experience for all of us.

The choir from Saint Andrew’s Lutheran arrives today in advance of the big festivities this weekend.  During the next few days Martin will be host to about 80 volunteers from the USA representing 20 congregations!  This is a tremendous witness to the strength of the partnership and shared vision between Lutherans in Slovakia and the USA.

We will know the truth, and the truth will set us free!  Thanks be to God.

Worship at the Slovak Village Museum

Wednesday July 2, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

We had a very productive day teaching conversational English today.  Of course, we had another unexpected surprise during our classroom hours.  This was the day that a steady stream of big trucks drove in the gate and around to the back of the dormitory where they dumped their loads of earth.  Then a noisey machine spread and leveled the dirt all around the area behind the buildings.  This is going to be transformed into a grassy area complete with playground equipment for the elementary school.  The good news is that the brick fragments and broken glass in that area are now buried.  The bad news is that we had to struggle to teach conversational English with all that noise immediately outside of our classroom windows.

In spite of these difficulties, however, our students remained engaged during class.  We had some meaningful conversations with them, and the teachers are all having a good time working together with the students.  By now we know most of them by name, and there are smiles everywhere we look.

This afternoon after class all of the VBS and English teachers were bussed to the nearby National Museum of the Slovak Village where we had an evening vespers service led by Natalia.  Fino sang part of the liturgy in ancient Slovak with his booming baritone voice.  Tomas accompanied the hyms on his guitar.  It was a special moment for us to reflect on what we are doing and why we are here as we begin to prepare for the Bible School’s 10th anniversary that will occur this coming weekend.

The weather continues to favor us, and we are well and safe in God’s loving care.  Thank you for your prayer support.

Gathering Momentum

Tuesday July 1, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

Things began falling into place today after a confusing start on Monday.  VBS is going as planned, and several hundred children in multicolored T-shirts were busy and happy and active this morning as they learned about Jesus.

For conversational English, the modified, rotational teaching schedule is working out very well.  Although we still have only a limited number of students in the morning (because the others are all assisting with VBS), those more intimate sessions are proving to be very effective because they are informal and relaxed.  The students are very eager to converse on a variety of topics.  We have noticed a larger vocabulary and greater ease in speaking for those students we worked with last July.

After lunch the three English classes swell to about 20 students each, and the dynamics change.  The classrooms are crowded and noisey, and we sometimes try to disperse to shady spots outside the dormatory for small group activities.  Again, the students are fun to work with and they are all participating in the various activities we have planned to get them talking in English.  There are few dry grammar lessons here in Martin.  Instead, the lead teachers from RLC and Saint Andrew’s have worked hard to create a learning environment that is both stimulating and fun.

There are several teachers who have come here for the first time, and they are enjoying the city of Martin and the hospitality of the Bible School.  Pray about what you could do to support the important mission of Vision Slovakia, including a chance to come here yourself sometime in the future.

Yesterday’s thunderstorms have blown over, and we basked under sunny skies all day long.  We will build on our experience thus far as we look forward to reaching the hearts of our students.  Certainly, they are reaching our hearts already.  Thanks be to God for this blessing.

Now, if we can only get somebody to fix the hot water supply in the dormatory!

First Day Adventures

Monday June 30, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

Such excitement in Martin!  This morning VBS students poured onto the Bible School campus from all directions.  Academic Bible School students returned too for more practice in conversational English.  Due to a mix-up in communication, however, the English teachers found out that most of their students were going to be involved with assisting VBS in the morning, which left us with a student/teacher ratio of one to two until after lunch.

This required us to scramble to redo many of our carefully crafted lesson plans and make some teacher reassignments.  But “flexibility” is a required skill for volunteers coming to Slovakia, and we were able to work out a modified schedule for the balance of our first week here.  Next week after VBS has ended we will resume our original full-day routine in the classroom, and we look forward to that.

We were able to complete our student assessments and divide into three sections based on English skill level.  Some of the students, particularly the first year ones, are shy but they will gain confidence with each passing day.  The second year students were happy to greet those of us who had worked with them last July.

Today we had a couple of thunderstorms in Martin, but we were safe and dry in our cozy dormatory.  We prefer rain to heat anyway, so this was not a problem.

Tomorrow we will gather momenum, and hope for no more unexpected developments.  Our faith in our mission is carrying us through.

Worship and Goulash

Sunday June 29, 2008
Written by Dave Dudley

Church bells roused us from slumber this bright and sunny morning.  We enjoyed a simple but healthy breakfast on the veranda behind the dormatory building, and heard a daily devotion about the Christian perspective of teamwork –  we are many parts, but one body in Christ.

Before the church service those of us who have been here before renewed friendships with the Bible School staff (and their growing families), and with congregational members we have met in earlier summers here.  The church was packed because the children of the congregation had finished their first year of Sunday School and they were being recognized by the congregation.  Later, we celebrated communion with everyone present during the worship service.  (Usually, communion takes place after the formal service, and it is optional.)  It was very moving to witness the long lines of people continuously moving forward to receive the elements.  This congregation has grown a great deal over that past years.  Praise be to God!  The volunteers raised their voices in English to sing the hymns simultaneously with the Slovak voices of the congregation.  We are one family across the seas.

Following the service the volunteers (VBS and Conversational English) all were invited to share a marvelous meal of fresh salads, goulash, and crusty bread with the Bible School staff.  We all felt warmly welcomed to help celebrate the school’s tenth anniversary later this week.

The volunteers here are strengthened by prayer support they receive from their home congregations.  Prayer support from Roseville Lutheran members means a great deal to us as we prepare to meet our students tomorrow morning.

So now it is time to go to work.

Sojourners to Slovakia

Friday June 27 – Saturday June 28
Written by Dave Dudley

Travelling east across the Atlantic by air and then from the Vienna airport by bus, about 50 tired missionaries arrived in Martin Slovakia late Friday evening.  Our excitement built as we turned he last few corners to the Bible School campus and stopped beside he beautiful church building to unload our luggage.  The Conversational English teachers and Vacation Bible School teachers are all travelling together on this trip.  The choir members from Saint Andrew’s Lutheran are expected to arrive later this week.

The English teachers are all housed in the dormatory that was rebuilt with the help of the Builder’s Group from Roseville Lutheran under he leadership of Pasor George Weinman and Bud Helman.  It is a wonderful facility with residential rooms on the upper floor and three classrooms on ground level.  This is also where we are served breakfast and lunch each day by four sudents who live in the building with us.

On Saturday we got unpacked and settled in our rooms.  All of the English teachers met together for general briefings and then broke into the three sections for more detailed class activity planning.  In the evening some of us enjoyed part of the theatrical festival being held in Martin this weekend.  Then off to a good night’s sleep in anticipation of special welcoming activities planned for everyone on Sunday.

We feel God’s presence in this place, and priviledged to be here.  Praise the Lord!

We are on our way!

June 26, 2008
This is the fourth entry from Mary Schultz, a member of Roseville Lutheran Church

This week, we have been organizing, reorganizing,  packing,  weighing our luggage, repacking and finally, with two bags,  each close to, but no more than 50 pounds, are ready to go the Martin.

With thankful and anticipating  hearts, both the Conversational English and the Vacation Bible School volunteers will leave for Slovakia this evening We will arrive in Martin about 7:30 Friday night.

On the weekend, we will set up our classrooms so that we can begin assessing the students on Monday morning. Within one day, our new teachers will have begun to build friendships, and returning teachers will renew friendships with the wonderful Bible School Staff.

Katka Volcova  and her crew at the Bible School are ready for us.  They will meet us at the Vienna airport and will be our hosts for the next two weeks.

Thank you, to the members of Roseville Lutheran Church, and for others who know us, for your caring and for your prayers as we now leave on this journey.

Getting Ready. . . .

Wednesday, June 24, 2008 ( More precisely, it is really  €œone day before Thursday, the day we go to Slovakia!€)
Conversational English BLOG
This is the third entry from Mary Schultz, a member of Roseville Lutheran Church.

How are we preparing for this venture of Conversational English?

For the past weeks, we have been meeting at St. Andrews on Monday nights, (and a few other days) getting to know one another and discussing the plan for the two weeks of Conversational English classes that we will be teaching June 30-July 11.

Over the past few years, while we  have been teaching English, we have drawn materials from many sources. We have relied on English Language teachers including Sharon Peterson and Karen Dudley for guidance. We teach from a  the Oxford picture dictionary, from stories, dialogue lessons, from active experiences in the classroom and out in the community, and from classroom discussions, interviews, problem solving and short presentations. Each of these lessons has been planned here in Minnesota and is ready to be taught in Slovakia. ( As in any teaching situation, we are ready, but it depends on the specific needs of the students as to what  we actually do in the classes each day.

Mary Schultz and Sharon Copt are co-leaders of this group. Peggy Sontag is the chair of the beginning English students, Mary Schultz and Sharon Copt of the intermediate students, and Karen and Dave Dudley of the advanced students.  Each of these levels is somewhat relative, but we have developed two weeks of activities that we will use form 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM for ten days. We also have materials for the first day’s assessment of the students. We need to get to know each one of them and to get a feel for their level of English. We do not know what level the new students will be in. We like to anticipate an equal number in each of three levels, but we could have many more in one section than the other two.

Throughout the year, this leadership team has been meeting, along with with Paul Berge, the director of Vision Slovakia through St. Andrews Lutheran Church. We have a strong group of people at St. Andrews, including Diane Nash, Jan Gilbertson, and Nancy Olker who work diligently to make this Vision Slovakia experience blessed for both the teachers and the students. We are in contact with Katka Volcova at the Bible School. She is working on preparing for our arrival. She answers our questions and we answer her questions. She makes requests and we make requests. It has been a most enjoyable process. Although we are very excited and have been preparing for this venture for months, we have to keep in mind that this is only one part of the activities going on for two weeks out of a year long program.

Monday, June 16, we packed up our materials for this trip. Each of us will be taking one bag of personal items and one bag of school supplies. We are bringing an English picture dictionary for each student. We also bring all the teaching supplies we will need… paper, folders, tape, markers, erasers, staplers, and the materials for each of the activities.  Some of the supplies that remain after our trip will be given to the Lutheran Elementary School in Martin.

Yes, we have materials, lessons, plans, supplies and a plan for teaching English, but  we also have anticipation, openness, caring, and friendship to share.  We may be teaching, but much more so, we are learning. We may be bringing supplies and English lessons in our HEAVY suitcases, but we will be lightening our hearts and lighting our spirits as we come to know our wonderful students.  Our souls are being filled by the relationships we build with our students. We share our English skills, but we also share our witness as Christians who have a loving Savior, who loves us, who asks us to fill our cups with his spirit and then to . . . go and serve others.

Conversational English STUDENTS

June 23, 2008
This is the 2nd entry from Mary Schultz, an RLC member and a Conversational English Teacher.  (We are very excited! We leave June 26!)

Who are the Conversational English students?

In the beginning years, throughout the summer, we, along with other congregations from throughout the United States, taught English to students (mostly teens and adults) who came to  Conversational English classes form the Martin community. Through church newsletters, a few posters and word of mouth, students signed up for English classes. People wanted to learn English to help them in work, in business, in reading and advanced education. Needed text books are often printed in English.

Many other congregations continue to teach to members of the community, however, last year and this year our Vision Slovakia teachers work with college students who are enrolled in a  B.A. Youth Worker program at the Bible School in Martin with an affiliation at Zilina University.

€œStudents who have completed the whole program will be equipped with the necessary education and skills to work with a pastor in a congregation, as educated lay leaders in the area of youth work. They might serve even more extensively, working with and among several congregations. They would be further equipped to be leaders and coordinators of various groups of young people outside the context of a congregation or a specific denomination. Such  opportunities for service would be in interdenominational foundations,organizations, youth agencies, etc.€ Bible School in Martin

Half our our students will be students we had last year. These students are in their second year of studies focusing on Youth Work. The other half of the students are in their first year of this program and will be new to us. Some of these students are adults, already in the midst of a career, who are going back to school. Others are first and second year students coming from secondary school straight to this college program.  Some of these students come with a strong Christian faith, others with many questions, and some with no understanding or faith, but with a desire for a degree from the Bible School in Martin.

Our students come with a wealth of knowledge, a variety of learning styles and a variety of English language levels. For some students English is their third or fourth language. We are so excited to begin working with them, to renew old friendships and to make new friends.

What else are the students involved in?

During the first week, at the same time as we are teaching English, Vacation Bible School will be taking place at the Bible School for children from the Martin congregation and the community. Some of our Conversational English students will be taking part in dramas with the little children at Vacation Bible School.

When our affiliation with the Bible School started, volunteers from St. Andrews Lutheran Church  in Mahtomedi, Minnesota,  introduced and led the VBS with the assistance of interpre”
ers. Now after 10 years the Bible School is graduating many leaders and has an affiliation with the University of Zilina.  There are still teachers from St. Andrews coming to teach Vacation Bible School but the Bible Story Dramas are led by the staff congregation volunteers and some of our Conversational English students all from Slovakia!

What is our mission statement?

Building bridges through language faith and friendship.

We would ask that you pray for us as we prepare to work with these students. Thank God for his design for the gift of language for the freedom to share and grow in faith and for the boundless joy of new and renewed friendships.

A Blessing

Sunday June 22 2008 Happy Summer!

Hello to everyone reading this first installment of the Conversational English Teachers €˜ BLOG.  This week’s  entries are  being written by Mary Schultz a member of Roseville Lutheran.

What is going to happen?

Thursday June 26 the St. Andrews -Vision Slovakia Conversational English Teammembers will leave from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport arriving at the Bible School in Martin Slovakia late afternoon on Friday June 27. We will spend the next two weeks teaching English at the Bible School. Before going home we will take a short side-trip to Prague in the Czech Republic.

Leaving on the same day will be the St. Andrews -Vision Slovakia Vacation Bible School Teachers. They will be in Martin teaching for one week. At the end of that week the Choir from St. Andrews will arrive. The weekend of July 4 5 6 the Bible School will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. ( More on this later)  After the week-long VBS on July 4 there will be a musical program in the town square with the Vacation Bible School children and St.Andrews’ Choir. The choir will then travel to the eastern  part of Slovakia to tour before joining us in Prague.

Who are the teachers?

There are 18 €œteachers€ who will travel to Martin Slovakia to teach Conversational English We come from many walks of life with a wide variety of experiences. There are 12 returning teachers and six first time teachers. We are most thrilled having these new teachers! Three teachers; Karen and Dave Dudley and Mary Schultz are members at Roseville Lutheran. The others come First United Methodist Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis Christ Lutheran in Lake Elmo ARIZONA and St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi.

Teachers:

• Mary Anderson
• Phil Anderson
• Lois Anderson
• Sue Ann Anderson
• Tim Svoboda
• Renee Svoboda
• Dave Dudley
• Karen Dudley
• Kathleen Damon
• Mary Gookins
• Kathy Fredell
• Sharon Copt
• Len Copt
• Peggy Sontag
• Mary Schultz
• Candee Moser
• Ann Bielenberg
• Darlene Sitko

This morning June 22 many of the Conversational English Teachers joined with the Vacation Bible School teachers and the St. Andrews Choir members who will be traveling to Slovakia for a commissioning at St. Andrews.  The pastor asked God to bless us for safety for those of us traveling (81 in all)  and our families staying home. He asked God to bless us to have a sense of wonder in all that we experience and do. He asked God to make us to be a blessing to others. With those words he sent us on our way. With blessing in our hearts we look forward to this experience!

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS!! … a note from Michal Valco

May 13 2008

Beyond Expectations! - These are the words that summarize the feelings of our Bible School staff and of the people from our congregation. God continues to surprise us – beyond our expectations – in how He works through other people and touches our every day lives. It was so exciting to see Him act through the group of 13 builders that came to sweat and toil on the campus of the Bible School! Beyond expectations was the fun that we had while touring Slovekia. Beyond expectations was the fellowship of hearts created and strengthened among the people from different parts of the world. And beyond expectations were the accomplishments “on the field”! The “wailing wall” the fence surrounding the future playground the guest apartment and several other small projects were finished.

It is always a great encouragement for us to have the Builders with us. Things get done for one thing that enable us to serve others. But we especially enjoy being with the builders interacting with them on a human level as Christians brothers and sisters. It brings much joy and encouragement to us as we walk with Jesus in our every day lives.

Michal Valco

Director of the Bible School

Closing Thoughts

May 7 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

As another Builders Group Mission trip comes to an end I am reminded of how important relationships are in our lives. Many of us go about our daily routines without much thought of who will we cross paths with today or who will need help today or perhaps who will help me today. In Amercia we often are focused on the implementation of a project or getting through a big test or making sure we are able to account for that valuable resource of time. Too often we forget about taking time to create and nurture the relationships our souls need to survive. These Mission Trips are far more about taking the time to create and nuture relationships than they are about putting up a fence painting an apartment or installing glass doors on library shelves. These trips are about sharing our personal relationship with God with others through our gifts and talents so that they might then ‘pass it forward’ to others in their own community or in a community across the ocean. To talk to any one of the team members about why they participate in these mission trips you’ll hear over and over…..”It’s about the relationships that were seeded and grown from only THIS ministry event. Had this ministry event not happened I would not have the opportunity to know and love the people of Martin nor some of the people right here at Roseville Lutheran Church.”

In Dr. Bohdan Hroban’s meditation to the Builders Group at a special worship center on Friday May 2 in Sucany he reminded us of the need to keep mission work in the forefront of our lives and not have it come from the ‘excess’ in life. There is always something that you can do to make someone else’s life a little easier whether that’s lending a listening ear or giving someone a ride or helping them with a project or chore. It’s what Jesus EXPECTS of us as his followers. Those ‘tasks’ are simply the reason to come together and build relationships!

So next time a mission trip opportunity crosses your path please consider participating in it beyond prayer and financial support. You’ll change the life of someone else AND someone will change your life as well. For as the inscription on the Bible School windows say: Know the TRUTH (Good News!) and the TRUTH will SET YOU FREE. Know and SHARE the TRUTH and your life will be set free.

All Glory Laud and Honor be to GOD FOREVERMORE!

Your Sister in Christ KJ Olson

Final Day

May 7 2008

Good morning everyone.  It is Wednesday morning here and we are getting ready for our bus to arrive as we begin our journey home.  This will be my last entry as our mission work is complete.

Yesterday was a wonderful day!  When we arrived at the Bible School we found that the gate on the fence had been installed Monday afternoon.  The fence got touched up with paint and that job is a mojor completion for the team.  The floor in the room in the Bible School that will be come another class room for the elementary school this fall has been patched sanded and cleaned so it is ready for the new floor covering.  All brackets for the glass doors in the library are installed.  The hinge brackets were not delivered so we went as faar as we could on that one.

The new sandbox is also complete.  Through a lot of hard work by Jerry and Tim the new spot was dug out and the plastic pipe border installed (according to Dianne and Paula it is even color coordinated with the new paint job on the front door).  At 2 PM the sand arrived and when we assembled at the school to head for our farewell dinner there were already children playing in it!

We had a very touching moment when the first graders had us assemble and they sang songs for us and gave us gifts.  We had a partial reciprocation when we gave two new soccer balls to the school.  The children were thrilled.

In the evening we were taken out for a farewell party with our hosts.  It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and visiting with our friends.  Now sadly we must leave and begin our journey home.  Once again we exceeded all expectations of our hosts.

We survived withour injury and have renewed our ties with the wonderful people here in Martin.  What a wonderful feeling!

Signing out as assistant blogger – Denny Olander

Another Glorious Day!

May 5 2008

Today we were back to work.  With our time winding down we are becoming extremely driven to complete the various tasks we have undertaken.

The gate will be put on the fence by professionals “tomorrow” as we have heard too often during our visits here.  Jerry came up with an idea for the sandbox that was approved by our hosts.  The sandbox will be made from pvc drain pipe.  The material has been purchased so tomorrow the new hole can be dug and the piping (sand box frame) installed.  If all goes well we could even put the sand in but that may be too much to hope for.  The glass doors on the library shelving is being installed.  We are short the hinges to join the doors to the brackets but the brackets are now being installed thanks to Earl Pete Dianne and Paula.  Denny and Tim have nearly finished stripping off the old stucco overlay in the entry hall of the bible School and that should be completed tomorrow morning.  Joe and Orlin have the computer room floor nearly ready for new vinyl.  Again we hope to have the floor prepared tomorrow morning and the vinyl should be delivered.  We doubt that we will attempt installation but that may change tomorrow.  The enclosure around the gas main at the Zivina building is built.  tomorrow a second topcoat of sealer will be installed and a sealer applied around the lower window sills.

This afternoon our hosts took us east to visit a Slovak UNESCO village followed by a wonderful dinner at a resort in the woods nestled clost to the High Tatra mountains.  It was a wonderful trip and the scenery was truly beautiful.

It’s hard to believe that tomorow will be our last work day with our farewell party tomorrow evening.  We have had a wonderful time renewed old friendships and made new ones.  In addition I think we have truly made some significant accomplishments here in Martin.  By most observations we have once again exceeded the expectations of our hosts.

Substitute blogger Denny Olander

A Day of Rest

May 4 2008

Today was a day of rest.  The day started with Joe Joann and Earl accompanying Pete to the local Catholic church to attend mass.  Cisa went along to act as interpreter.

Worship service today was special.  For those who have visited Martin or have met some of our friends during their visits to the US Adrian did the liturgy and Bohdan gave the sermon.  Tomas provided music and led the singing.

Following the service we were again taken by various families to share in their Sunday dinner.  The meals they provide are always very special and much more than their normal fare.  At times we feel guilty when we realize the portion of their weekly food budget was probably spent to entertain us.  For many of us the meals were with families who have hosted us in previous years  so it was a chance to renew old friendships.

Pete’s cousins from Nitro (about 70 miles from Martin) came up this afternoon so he could spend time with family.  We were all happy that he was able to connect with his relatives as long as they lived this close.

Tonight we will see if we are able to stuff any more food into us as we gather for our evening meal.  We have invited Megan (Pastor David’s niece) to join us this evening.

Tomorrow will be a half day of work as our hosts have another trip in store for us so we need to make the most of our hours of labor.

It’s hard to believe that we have only a couple of days left in Martin.  We have been truly blessed by weather and friendship during our stay.

Signed – substitute blogger Denny Olander

An Awesome Day!

May 3 2008

Today we bid farewell to KJ and Vicky as they left Martin to begin their journey back to the USA this afternoon. You now have a new substitute blogger in me Denny Olander.  We wish KJ and Vicky a safe journey home.

Today we had a tremendous turnout of Slovak volunteers today to help with the work.  It was hard to get an accurate count of the help as they were working in several locations but I would guess that not counting staff members there must have been 30 people helping us.  What an awesome sight!  It is truly amazing when we remember those early years and the Slovaks watching us.

The fence that had us concerned has been installed with the exception of hanging the gate.  The “back yard” has had all the rocks and other rubble picked up and put in the low area we are filling with the bricks and other debris we have removed.  The old garage door got a second coat of paint the bars in the grade school all got a new coat of paint and the entry hall in the Bible School had the loose plaster scraped off.  The Joe and Orlin finished the enclosure around the gas line in the Zivina (second grade school) building and got a coat of sealer on it.  Somehow Jan and Joann managed to have lunch ready for us the staff members helping today all the other volunteers and their children who showed up.  Jan said she was making lunch for 70 and \i think we must have had that many!!

The glass doors on the library shelves continue to be a problem.  The shelving material is such that we are concerned how it will hold up with the glass doors that have been purchased.  Earl and Pete continue to work on this issue.

We have started preparing the floor in the old computer room in the Bible School for a new vinyl covering as this room will be used by the elememtary school as a classroom come September.

We had a very productive day and are looking forward to another day of worshiping with our Slovak friends tomorrow and enjoying their hospitality.

Some days are better than others!!

May 2 2008 (KJO)

Today we had one of our frustrating days in trying to get our work done.   But we did manage to get a second coat of paint on the fence posts completed the Bible School front door weather stripping The brick sawed around the electric box on the back of the Elementary School the Zivena School gas pipe enclosure got bricked in and the library glass doors got ‘a plan’.  So it wasn’t a completely fruitless day.  We ended today with a worship service at Suc’any where Lubos’ and Katka Frolonoci live and worship.  It was exactly how we needed to end the day.  It reminded us of why we are here and why God called us here – to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all nations.  Slovaks and Americans worshipping together with 2 different languages two different cultures but ONE GOD.  What an AWESOME GOD we worship and who loves us dearly.  Lubos and Katka then invited all the Builders Group to their small apartment for refreshments and snacks.  What a delightful couple to spend all day getting ready for 16 people invade their 2 room apartment.  It’s not about the size of the space or the food or the furniture but its about the relationships that we’ve nurtured in the past five years with our Slovak brothers and sisters in Christ

I’d like to think we’ve make a difference here in central Slovakia this past week. I know it has made a difference in my life…. again.  Tomorrow Vicky and I will depart from the Builders Group and begin their journey back to the USA.  We will be sad to not leave together as a whole Builders Group.  But it appears that God will be providing just the right number of people to do the work needed here in Martin in the days ahead.  TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

Happy May Day!

May 1 2008 (KJO)

Here in Slovakia today is a holiday so the schools are not having classes and even some of the stores are closed.  We worked only a half day to take advantage of the holiday as well to the Oravo Castle which is about an hour’s drive from Martin in the Small Tatra Mountains.  The drive along was spectacular in the mountains and valleys along a beautiful river.  The trees are just leafing out so the green color is so fresh and new.  The castle we toured is from the 16th Century with many restored rooms and furnishings.  During the 2 hr tour we climbed over 300 steps!!  We all agreed however it was worse going down.  We then had dinner at a restaurant at the base of the castle. I’m not sure we would have worked any harder at the Bible School!!

Let me backup to this morning and our project work:

1. The Bible School front door has a second coat of paint and only needs new weatherstripping to be a completed project.  Vicky and KJ were getting lots of compliments on the ‘new door’.
2. The cement repair of the Bible School front step was completed by Joe and Orlin today.
3. The painting of the fence posts and gates was done today by Paula Joann Vicky and Dianne.  They even painted the old gate at the back of the parsonage to now match the new green fence.
4. The corner posts of the fence have been completed by Pete Tim and Denny.
5. The footings for the gas pipe brick enclosure at the Z’ivena School building was completed.
6. Plans were developed to attach the glass doors to the library shelves by Earl and Denny.

So our project work continues despite all of our various side trips and tours.  Tomorrow is an optional trip to the crystal factory and only a few of us will go there.  We are all work-oriented so these side trips sometimes seem a waste of valuable time but we need the break and the Slovaks love to show off their country and a beautiful one it is.  But we’ll be having the Elementary School parents coming on Saturday to help with the fence and to cleanup the backyard.  It’ll be a transformation that has been a long time in the works.

I have noticed that there are more cars than ever in Martin…. and many of them are newer cars.  The economy seems to be doing well in Slovakia.  Five years ago the exchange rate was 33 SK to $1 while today the exchange rate is 20SK to $1.    Unemployment is about 2-3% in Martin when in all of Slovakia it’s about 8%.  The Bible School leadership is struggling to makes ends meet however.  They continue to grow so to keep up with the demand they seem to get a little farther behind financially.  Please keep the Bible School in your prayers as the leadership begins to look at different ways to make ends meet AND to prepare for the future.  GOD PLAN IS GOOD….. we just aren’t quite sure what it’s going to take to implement it!

A Day of Rest

April 30 2008 (KJO)

After yesterday’s long day it was good to have a day away from the project work.  Bohdan and Michael from the Bible School drove us to two towns in eastern Slovakia to see 4 Slovak churches.  Lenoca’ was a hub of financial wealth in centuries past and has the largest gothic altar in all of Europe.  WOW… it is glorious. … The lutheran church in Slovakia had a difficult time in the 16th-17th century getting their churches built due to lots of restrictions including having to construct a church completely from wood… no nails!  And behold many of these churches are still standing after 300+ years!  In Kazmarok we were honored with a tour of a library of 150 000 volumes of ancient manuscripts and books including first printings of books authored by Martin Luther!  This library is on the list of UNESCO sites to see in the world!  Kazmarok has a lutheran church constructed entirely of wood.  But it also has a ‘new church’ from the 19th century.

Having seen these sites today is another sign that when God wants his church to survive he makes it happen.  OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!

Miracles continue to happen…

April 28 2008 (KJO)

Miracles continue to happen…. right here in Martin!  It was a very long day on Tuesday for the Builders Group….  11 hours!  The key was that the forecast for Wednesday is rain and we needed to get 26 fence posts set in cement…. which was delivered as ‘dry ready mix’ from a dump truck!!  We needed dry ready-mix for Thursday!  With the forecast for rain on Wednesday it made sense to get these fence posts set today!

To start at the beginning of today….

1. Vicky and KJ and Dianne painted the front door of the Bible School the 1st coat of ‘orange/rust’ enamel paint.  Having taken the doors off the hinges to paint we spent the afternoon ‘watching paint dry’ and to keep folks from getting paint on themselves going thru the door.  We rehung the door about 5pm.  A second coat is needed but already it looks fabulous.
2. Joanne and Paula attacked the paint job in one of the Dormitory apartments.  Using latex paint that is similar to white wash and three coats later the apartment looks much better!
3. THE WAILING WALL…. as Denny called it…. is no longer -  Thanks much to hard manual labor and the use of a bobcat to move the debris to a depression in the backyard the false wall behind the Elementary School is removed!  What a difference this makes to the appearance of the backyard where the playground for the Elementary Schools kids will be.
4. Fence Posts……  This is the miracle that happened in Martin!!  This project took on a whole new meaning to ‘debate’ as it seemed every guy had a different opinion on how high and how level and how straight each post should be.  Dianne Vicky and KJ provided the ‘bucket brigade’ to pour water into each post hole once it was filled with dry ready mix.  By 7pm we completed setting the 26 posts and had 3 wheelbarrows of dry ready mix for a couple of other small projects.

We then went to Pizza 77 (with Megan Gauthier Pastor David’s neice) for a ton of giggling and laughter and silliness.  We were exhausted and thankful for a good day’s work.  THANK GOD FOR STRONG BACKS AND STRONG MINDS!

Greetings from the Bible School Dormitory

April 28 2008 16:30 (KJO)

We’ve survived our first day of work with grand results!  The weather started out cloudy and cool but by noon is was sunny and almost HOT.

Monday’s Progress Report:

1. Vicky and KJ prepped the front door of the Bible School for a new coat (or 2) of paint.  Many of the staff stopped and chatted with us as they past through the front door we were working on.  It was a good place to be today.  Natalia Katka V. Janko Adrian Lubos & Katka Bohdan and Bebe and little Martin Slavka and Tomas’ with both Misko and Ondre’ past through that door many times today.
2. Dianne Joann and Jan were the cooking crew today and again we had delicious soup with sandwiches.  Getting supplies and cooking a meal for 20 people all in about 4 hrs!!!  WOW!!
3. The guys spent the morning tearing down the false wall from the back of the Elementary School.  It was MUCH easier than originally thought.  Saving some of the bricks was the challenge as these bricks were fairly brittle.  And the mortar close to ‘dust’.  Saved bricks will be used for other projects!
4. The Lightening Rod ground wire for the canopy frame on the back of the dormitory was installed by noon!
5. The rented bobcat will be coming tomorrow to move the brick debris and fill in the behind the dormitory.
6. Postholes will be dug tomorrow for the fence.  Cement truck is on order!

We have accomplished much more than originally expected on our first day!  What a crew!!  God is GOOD in providing this team with the right skills for the right projects.

A few of us went to ECCO Shoe Factory Store this afternoon.  Earl decided he had already seen their selection of Size 13′s!  This evening we’ll have dinner at Cierni Pani Hotel and we all are looking forward to a nice hot shower.  PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!

Dobry Rono!! Good Morning!!

April 27 2008 9:30am (KJO)

Dobry Rono!! Good Morning!! from Martin SK.  We have arrived safe and had a good night’s sleep.  We have already reconnected with some of our Slovak friends and will see more as we attend morning worship.  More news and notes later in the day.  This is the day that the LORD has made…let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

Perfect weather & sunny skies

April 27 2008 7:30pm (KJO)

What a joy this day has been.  Perfect weather and sunny skies warmed our bodies this morning on our way to worship.  It was good to see our friends and for some of us to make new friends.  As usual we paired up and were hosted by Slovak families for noon lunch today.  Upon our return this afternoon we had a briefing by Gina the Bible School Project Mgr and Adrian served as interpreter to review the various projects which includes:

1. tearing down a brick wall
2. setting posts for a new fence
3. prepare the site for a new playground
4. remove/replace tile from the side steps into the dormitory
5. Remove top plaster layer from Bible School hallway
6. Install glass doors on the library shelves.

There are a couple of other small ‘rainy day’ projects as well.  Gina and Denny and Earl are already thinking about how to ‘attack’ each project.  After our briefing we were honored with BBQ’d sausages and beer and entertained with a LIVE band!  What more could you ask for!   It has been a very good day!!  But we are anxious to get started on our projects tomorrow.  One more good night’s sleep and we’ll be ready.

Jan O will once again be our chief cook for lunches.  We rotate through the group to help Jan with getting supplies and chopping veggies and prep’ing the lunches.  She does a great job and we are thankful to have her cooking expertise with us.

Again it has been a very good day….  but now it’s time to put our heads down for the night.  Gina Joe Denny and Earl will be dreaming about the projects tonight. Having these folks here is a blessing beyond belief.  The various glitches that COULD occur these guys seem to think of ahead of time.  Our time here over the next 10 days will provide more opportunity to ‘share God’s love’ in so many ways.  Tomorrow….The adventure will continue!  TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

Departure Day!

April 25 2008 (KJO)

It’s departure day for the Builders Group. As we begin our 5th annual mission trip as a Builders Group to Martin I am reminded of the words inscribed on the front windows of the Bible School’s large meeting room. “KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”.  This scripture passage is inscribed in five languages from Greek to Slovak and lastly in English. Someone once asked ‘Why English?  English hasn’t been a part of Slovak history?’.  The answer astounded me.  ‘For without our American brothers and sisters sharing the love of Christ our Bible School would not yet exist!’.  WOW….. what a testimony to the partnership between cultures of American and European churches and organizations to support and uphold the dream of having a christian school in Slovakia!

For those of us who have been on mission trips and experienced a life-changing journey we so much want to share the ways God’s love is spread with ALL of you who read these messages.  I encourage you to find some ‘quiet time’ to read these in the days ahead and listen to God.  Is he calling you to do something out of the ordinary for you?  Are you being tugged at to go visit a friend or neighbor just to talk?  How can you bring God’s love and TRUTH to set yourself or others FREE from sin and death?  Thirteen of us accepted God’s calling to share God’s Love with the people of Martin Slovakia this year.  Maybe next year it’s your time to accept God’s calling to Martin or Mexico or maybe it’s just within your own neighborhood today!

Stayed tuned to this BLOG for more ‘news and notes’ from Martin.  THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

4 days left…

April 21 2008 – (KJO)

Only 4 days left before we depart for Martin.  Yesterday we were commissioned at Roseville Lutheran.  Many congregation members wished us well.  We are all anxious to get on the plane and begin our mission work on behalf Roseville Lutheran Church and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.

One week left

April 17 2008 -  (KJO) Only one week left before the Builders Group departs for Martin Slovakia.   RLC will have a commissioning of all 2008 Vision Slovakia volunteers on Sunday April 20.  We are blessed to have this opportunity to participate in another RLC / St. Andrew’s mission trip for the Builders Group Conversational English and Vacation Bible School in 2008.  Please include these Builders Group servants in your prayers in the days ahead for their safe travel and safety in the work they will be doing.  THANKS BE TO GOD!

2008 Builder Groups participants are:

• Denny and Paula Olander
• Joe and Joann Lunders
• Orlin and Jan Herfindal
• Dianne Abrahams
• Earl Brunberg
• Vicky Lorenz
• KJ Olson
• Jerry Pulkrabek
• Peter Roth
• Tim Svoboda

Builders Group Overview

March 2008 – This Builders Group for Vision Slovakia will be leaving Minnesota on Friday April 25 and fly to Martin Slovakia for 2 weeks helping remodel and refurbish classrooms and dormitory rooms along with other ‘special assignments’ for the Bible School!  This year’s Builders Group has a few less folks but are no less excited to be a part of this outreach mission of Roseville Lutheran Church. Many of those going on this year’s trip have been to Martin in years past.  We are looking forward to being reunited with our Slovak Christian brothers and sisters that we now call ‘friends’.  Stay tuned to this blog between April 25 and May 10 for updates on our happenings while we are in Martin. (KJ Olson)

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125 Holy Week Descriptions 2009 holy-week-descriptions-2009 ”

During Holy week, we will hear again the story of One who risked His life for the sake of all. The Christ on the Cross is Jesus. The sun is gone. The day is done. He gasps his last breath. Thanks and praise as we go, this we know, there is Easter. The tomb is empty. Hope is resurrected. God is nigh. Our life in Christ does not end with taps but with reveille.

Palm/Passion Sunday

Saturday, April 4th

• 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 5th

• 8:00, 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.
• Youth Pancake Breakfast

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 9th

• 11 a.m. Prime Time Worship & Fellowship
• 7:00 p.m. Holy Communion

Good Friday

Friday, April 10th

• 10:00 a.m. Children’s Worship
• 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m. Community Tre-Ore Service
• 7:00 p.m. Evening Worship

Palm Sunday
Sunday of the Passion

will be celebrated on the weekend of April 4 & 5 at all RLC worship times. This dramatic worship begins with the story of Jesus’ welcome into Jerusalem with palms and celebration. This portion of the worship will include the distribution of palms and a procession including children. The mood shifts to the last days of Jesus’ life with the passion narrative from the gospel of Mark. (The €œpassion narrative€ refers to the story of Jesus’ suffering for us in His last week.) We prepare for the events of Holy Week, where Jesus embraces the worst of our sin and mortality – all in order to giveus a new life in God’s grace!

Prime Time for April – Maundy Thursday

There will be worship and lunch on Thursday, April 9 This time of remembrance will begin with a worship including Holy Communion at 11:00 a.m. in the Worship Center. A delicious lunch and table fellowship follow in the Social Hall.  For reservations, call the church office at 651.487.7752. If you know of other neighbors or relatives who would appreciate this opportunity for worship and fellowship, please know that they are welcome and extend them an invitation.

Maundy Thursday Worship

Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. worship will focus on the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples. We remember Jesus’ new commandment that we are to love one another as we have been loved by God. Holy Communion will be shared.  The Pre-communion class will bake our communion bread. They and their families and guests will be served first.

Children’s Good Friday

Friday, April 10 ~ 10:00 a.m.
This a unique children and family worship experience is for of all ages. The story of God’s gift for us is told in shadows and songs.  Geared to the children the presentation chronicles the last week of Christ’s life, death on the cross and resurrection. The worship service will be followed by a craft/activity that provides a good take-home activity to help re-tell the Easter story.

Tre-Ore: The Seven Last Words of Jesus

Good Friday, April 10 from noon to 3:00 p.m. Roseville Lutheran Church will host a Tre-Ore (three hours) ecumenical worship service.  Seven pastors from various Christian denominations in our community will each share one of the last words of Jesus from the cross.  A new word is preached every 25 minutes.  In between the messages we will read the passion story, pray together, and sing great Holy Week hymns.  Area churches will also provide some of their finest musicians and vocalist.  Holy Communion is served in the Family Room throughout the three hours.  Come for a portion of the time or for all three hours of this ecumenical Good Friday worship experience.

Good Friday Evening Worship

Come to Good Friday Evening Worship at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, and experience the depth of God’s love for you, revealed in the cross of Jesus. There will be readings sharing the passion narrative from the gospels with Senior Choir anthems and congregational singing. The worship ends in darkness and silence. This Good Friday service is a profound way to journey to the heart of our faith, in preparation for the buoyant good news that God gives us on Easter morning!

HOME SWEET HOME

Oct 15-17
By: KJ Olson

The Tanzania Team came back home this afternoon safe and sound with the exception of Vivian who extended her stay for another 5 days in the Arusha area! We THANK GOD for keeping us safe from injury, serious illness, or any travel issues.  We are very tired from our 30 hours of travel to get home.  We all commented on the ride from the MSPAirport how clean Minnesota is and how ‘controlled’ the drivers are compared to Tanzania.  Our 16 days together has certainly been a blessing for each of us on this mission trip.

We are anxious to tell our stories.  As you talk with any of the seven of us in the days and weeks ahead you’ll most likely see that we are ‘different’ …. in that we have experienced the joy and happiness of the people of Ng’ang’ange and the surrounding preaching points.  We’ve seen in the eyes of the school children the eagerness to learn and to reach out beyond their world.  We also see the daily struggles of many, many families to just survive the day.

In the days and weeks ahead, we will begin to share with you in words and pictures at various venues just a glimpse of what we experienced.  And, trust us when we say ‘only a glimpse’!  The experience was overwhelming for our senses most of the time!  As Bo Skillman told us early in our trip, our ‘work’ while we are in Tanzania was to observe, and that the REAL WORK begins when we get back home to spread the stories and share in what could be done for these people.  This is most certainy true!!

There will be one or two more entries to this BLOG in the next couple of weeks to wrap up this mission trip documentation, along with a few pictures.  The seven of us with to THANK EACH OF YOU for your prayer support while traveling to a far away land, and to PRAISE GOD for a safe adventure.

Tanzania Seven 2008

Dorothy Borgstrom,  Paula & Denny Olander,  Joanne Otis, Vivian Howatt, Addy Murtaugh, KJ Olson

ASANTE SANA (Thanks much)!!

Oct 14, 2008 6:30pm

God’s unique creation of wildlife is all around us the past two days as we left Iringa Town yesterday morning for a couple of days of safari in Ruaha National Game Park. As a part of most mission trips, we make a point to contribute to the local economy purchasing goods and services. The safari days certainly are a €˜win-win’ situation for both us Americans and for Tanzanians. Seeing God’s unique creation in the heart of Africa is certainly worth the effort as a part of this mission trip. In just a short 3 hours yesterday we observed 18 species of birds and 16 species of mammals and amphibians. The lodge we stayed at last night was called €˜Sunset Lodge’ and for good reason. The African sunset is like no other, especially here in theRiffValley. You might take a look at a map of Tanzania to see where we are. The vastness of the RiffValley is something to behold! We didn’t anticipate having such hot nights here, as usually the dessert cools off quite nicely. It is the dry season here now, so the rivers are dry and it is much like a dessert. It was near 100 degrees both yesterday and today in the heat of the afternoon. Last night it €˜cooled off’ to about 78 degrees. We are told that during the rainy season the rivers that are currently dry run wild with water. These rivers are up to 100 yards wide and 10-12 feet deep. The dormant trees leaf out with foliage greener than green and trampled grass grows up to 6 feet in height! We all agreed it was good to come now when we can see the animals and birds without a lot of foliage.

These days after our visit to Ng’ang’ange are a much-needed break from our efforts in getting to/from there. In retrospect, we’ve seen how the villagers struggle to have even a subsistence living. The burden of accommodating us to two + days was far beyond their means. Yet they so enthusiastically accommodated our every need. Even by building a new toilet for us€¦ with €˜Ladies’ and €˜Gentle’ rooms (that’s correct€¦.Gentle!). They swept the bare ground in front of the church, they put out their best dishes and more food than we could eat. Their sacrifice was far more than anyone of us had put forth to get to Ng’ang’ange!! We are not deserving of their hospitality!

EDITORIAL COMMENT:
As I sit on the bank of the Ruaha River this evening and enjoy seeing hippos, baboons, crocodiles, and impala wonder through the puddle of water that is left in the river during the dry season, I am reminded of just how blessed I am for my life. I am blessed to be born an American free from the trials and tribulations than many people of this world endure, I am blessed with a loving family, I am blessed with an education and employment, I am blessed with friends and an awesome church home, I am blessed with independent thinking, I am blessed to have God’s LOVE surround me each and every day through all of those other blessings. The seven of us have stated over and over that we wish there was something we could do to help the impoverished of Africa and other parts of this world. But, if it was that easy, it would already have been done. All we can do is continue to pray for them, and to help make a difference in one or two or three people’s lives. Student Sponsorship is one such way to make a difference. RLC currently sponsors 20 students. Ng’ang’ange parish would like us to support another 5 students for a total of 25 secondary students sponsored from that parish. Only about 25-30 percent of all primary school students attend secondary school. I challenge each of you that read this to contribute to a Tanzania Student Sponsorship. $10, $25, $100, or a full year sponsorship of $350 €¦. Any amount that can €˜make a difference’ in a young life, that perhaps one day will help all Tanzanians acquire safe water, make a few more shillings a year, and provide safe housing and food for their families.

Oct 17, 2008 8:30am

This is my last entry while in Africa.  Half of us have contracted a cold, which isn’t surprising after all the kids we were in contact with in Ng’ang’ange that had the sniffles. But we are doing well, and look forward to a couple of days of relaxation before we begin our flight home on Sunday evening. Much thanks for all your prayers and support for us.  We feel it every day!  TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

UNBELIEVABLE!!

Oct 10-12, 2008

How does one start this entry after being treated like royalty for the past 3 days? Let me start back on Friday morning when we each packed only an overnight bag and left the rest of our personal suitcases in Vivian’s room at the LutheranCenter for safekeeping. We took two vehicles as we had thirteen people going to Ng’ang’ange: the seven of us from RLC, Bo Skillman, Aleck Mhanga and his daughter AnaStina, the Secretary of Education from the Diocese, a secondary student in need of a ride, and our driver, Cua (we found out later his name is Kurwa, meaning first-born twin). We also had five suitcases of gifts & sleeping bags for each of us. There really wasn’t anymore room for our personal suitcases, which is why we opted for only an overnight bag. By 8:30am we were on our way to Ng’ang’ange. As we headed south the terrain changed as we went higher into the southern highlands ofTanzania. Soon we were in forested mountains of cedar, eucalyptus, and pine. The fragrance was so fresh and clean. This road was in a bit better condition than most of the roads we’d been on the past 3 days, but it was still quite rutty and bumpy. In fact, there is a bit of road construction taking place as there are small ditches being dug to divert the water away from the road. There is even a bit of a crown to the road. There are culverts being installed, too, but those appear to be laid on the ground and then covered over them with dirt. Makes for one BIG SPEED BUMP! We took a reststop at a village pastor’s house about an hour into the trip. Then it was on to Ng’ang’ange’. Vivian had warned us about the reception we might receive, but all the warning in the world would not have prepared us for the welcoming committee!! About 150 people greeted us as we began the ascent to the church on the top of the hill. Drums, Hehe Bell Dancers, and LOTS OF SINGING! What an amazing site to see these people dressed in FULL COLOR and BIG SMILES given us €˜wazungu’ (white people) a warm welcome! I’m sure some of the kids had not seen a fair skinned person before today, but none the less they welcomed us with singing that blew us away. After a formal welcome in the church, we then went to the parish house to briefly unpack and had our first true African lunch, before heading back into the vehicles for visit to the Mdeke Preaching Point and MdekePrimary School.

Our warm welcome continued with the folks at the Mdeke Preaching Point. They again sang and danced for us. We introduced ourselves, with Aleck Mhanga serving as our interpreter. Preaching Points are small congregations with only an evangelist serving as the €˜pastor’. However, the evangelist cannot perform baptisms, weddings or funerals. It’s a good way to get a congregation started without the cost of a full-time pastor. From the Preaching Point we then headed to the MdekePrimary School. With 225 kids ages 6-13, the energy level was quite infectious. With eight teachers for these 225 kids, it’s hard to imagine how these kids get much individual attention to learn. But they are quite well behaved and have the utmost respect for those older than themselves, especially €œBebe Addy€ (Grandma Addy). It was quite evident that these kids were from the poorest of the poor with few having shoes and most wearing uniforms that needed much mending. These were most likely the only clothes most of these kids had. Remember, these kids WALK to school on rutty gravel roads or dirt paths, some for even a few kilometers. We also learned that in 2005 RLC donated dollars for the building of 2 classrooms and an office. It was good to see our gift was used appropriately and was being well used. This school could use a water well, more class rooms, and teacher housing.

From Mdeke we motored our way to Boomalong’ombe Secondary School. This school has a headmaster with lots of energy and vision for the school. New living quarters are being built, as the existing living quarters condition is beyond description in this blog. €˜Poor’ is an understatement! Also a new multi-purpose building is being constructed. The kids have jobs do attend to after classes, and we saw 8-12 year old girls hauling bricks from the kiln to where they were needed for construction. But the good news is this school has a water well and electricity in a few of the buildings. We also were given tea during our visit to the headmaster’s office where we could ask questions and also get information on the needs of the school. RLC sponsors 7 students at this school, and we were able to visit briefly with 6 of them. The seventh one is currently in the village for the weekend. We’ll see him later in the weekend.

Upon our return to Ng’ang’ange where we were again fed with a variety of cooked vegetables, rice, pasta, fried chicken, coffee, tea, soda and water. The veggies were excellent! After we completed dinner we had a spirited conversation with kerosene lanterns and a charcoal cooker for a little heat in the living room. Conversation entailed a little politics and how to €˜fix’ Africa and its poverty, with the Iringa Diocese Secretary of Education (Wilber ??). Now it was time to get some sleep. We found kerosene lanterns in each of our rooms, but that was just enough light to get ready for bed. After a trip to the NEW outhouse (still with swat toilets however), it was time for some shuteye! Our first night in OUR village was upon us€¦€¦this was the main purpose of the trip. FINALLY, after 10 months of planning we are with our companion congregation!

On Saturday most of us awoke to a cock crowing at 4:20am! It was a bit early for most of us. He was certainly not alone either, as his crowing would be €˜answered’ by one or two other roosters. At about 6am, the church bell was rung, for what reason we are not sure, other than to denote it was6am! Without clean drinking water we all took our turn at brushing our teeth outside, just like camping! No electricity, no running water. No €˜conveniences’ of the American standard of living. The €˜kitchen’ was 3 or 4 small shanty rooms behind the parish house, made of slats of wood with a thatched roof. Looking out the back window of the parish house one could find 6-7 women (and even a couple of men!) cooking eggs, frying chicken, peeling potatoes, and tending fires. All for us €˜wazungu’ (white people)! Made most of us feel €˜undeserving’ of this privileged treatment in a place where they have so little. After breakfast we climbed into the van (aka Haice) for a day of visiting preaching points. We are hopeful that we can visit three more of them today. But with the road conditions, it will be a long day of travel.

We left about 9am for the first preaching point, Tumaini. Again, the road conditions are far from even poor. Our driver was very cautious on a few spots on the road as the ruts and potholes were very deep. Some parts of the roads are not traveled much as they have tall grass growing in the middle of the two wheel ruts. After about an hour, we see in the distance a band of about 40 people standing on the top of a hill, waving and dancing. As we came closer, we heard their exuberant singing!! As we came to a stop along side a building under construction the people again greeted us warmly! More singing, more dancing, more energy! Victor Myengo is the evangelist for this preaching point. When we asked about construction of the new church building, we learned that they had just started making the mud bricks the previous Monday (6 days ago) – - right there onsite. There was a small kiln for firing the bricks and a large hole (10′ in diameter €“ 8′ deep) which the dirt was taken for making the mud bricks. Water was carried by foot from a stream several meters away. There were 4 men building the walls of the church. Denny €˜inspected’ the construction, especially the straightness of the walls! The hope was to get the walls done before the rainy season starts in November. We then went over to see the existing church building about a kilometer away. Oh MY! This lumber shanty with a thatched roof is far from what we would call a €˜building’. They are so hoping to be able to complete the new church within the next few months, but all the needed funds are not available yet. What faith and trust these people have in God that somehow He will provide what all that they NEED.

From Tumaini we were off to our second preaching point, Idasi, with Eliasi Kifyasi as the evangelist. Again, the welcome from the parish congregation was overwhelming. We were ushered into the church to introduce ourselves. The church was decorated with kanga fabric, which gave the sanctuary a very festive look. We had lunch at this preaching point with tea and cornmeal biscuits. Then it was off to our third preaching point of the day, Sogaza, with Bethalina Sala as the evangelist. This sanctuary was also decorated with kanga fabric and even evergreen branches in the four corners. We did our introductions again, and the congregation danced and sang. Even Joanne would join in with the dancing which the Tanzanians enjoyed!. As we traveled back to Ng’ang’ange we all agreed that there are some needs for these preaching points that we might be able to help with financially from the Special Appeal contributions. Upon our return to Ng’ang’ange we spent some time in conversation amongst ourselves and also with the Tanzanians. The women were always busy cooking, which we noticed and were not involved in any conversation, unless one of our group started the conversation with them. After dinner 5 of the 6 evangelists, Pastor Msula, Bo Skillman, and the 7 of us met to talk about their needs. We had already gotten the Ng’ang’ange Strategic Plan a couple of months ago that had been filed with the Diocese, so we had some idea of what their needs were. Number ONE priority was transportation for Pastor Msula.

Sunday morning was another early morning with the cock crowing about5am. With the rain the previous evening, the morning was quite foggy, which gave a mystical feel to the village. Again, the women were cooking breakfast for us, getting the fires going by 5am. We had a number of gifts to distribute starting with the GoldFish Crackers to the kids during Sunday School. Tunso, one of the Secondary School Students, was the Sunday School leader, and he was thrilled to have a €˜treat’ for kids. There had to have been over 150 kids for Sunday School! And the singing these kids could do was so energetic!! WOW!! We had also put up the new banners that we brought from RLC on the front walls of the church. They looked wonderful, and really gave a festive feel to the church! The service started at 10am. We were warned that it would be a long service, but didn’t bargain for a 5+ hour service! Vivian read the lesson€¦€¦in Kiswahili no less!! She did us proud. Bo Skillman gave the message with Aleck Mhanga interpreting. There were acceptance of new members and a baptism of three new babies. The last hour was an exchange of gifts. Now this was quite an ordeal. The church was PACKED TO THE RAFTERS with people and there were another 100 people standing outside. When all was said and done, Ng’ang’ange and the 5 Preaching Points had given us baskets, a HUGE Cabbage, 30 lbs of potatoes, 2 chicken, a rooster, 2 goats, and a dozen eggs. We in turn gave them our €˜gifts’. Vivian presented the silicone bracelets with the inscription of €œNg’ang’ange  Roseville   Bega Kwa Bega€, Addy presented the banners to the church and the preaching points, along with some playground balls and Frisbees, Denny presented the motorbike, which Pastor Msula was jumping up and down in response to, and KJ presented a contribution of $2250 to continue building the Tumaini Preaching Point church. After all was said and done€¦.And after the auction of the grain & eggs that was given during the offering, it was well past 3:30pm, but lunch had been prepared for us€¦. AGAIN! After eating lunch we packed up the 2 vehicles, including 4 students that needed to get back to Iringa. We also took the cabbage, potatoes and 2 chickens back to Iringa. We decided to give the 2 goats to Aleck and have them shipped on the bus on Monday instead of on top of the LandRover. We arrived back in Iringa about 6pm and were exhausted from the 2+ days in Ng’ang’ange! We had a leisurely dinner at the LutheranCenter and got ourselves packed up to head out to Sunset Lodge and on our Safari on Monday.

As we reflect on what we observed in and around Ng’ang’ange, we all are grateful for all of God’s blessings that we so freely seem to have. As Addy stated, the woman at church on Sunday that gave 2 eggs sacrificed more than most, if not ALL, of us do at RLC. And yet these people seem happy, and seem content. We recognize that there are so many things that we have that they could use. But they are a people that really don’t accept change at all. These people’s ancestors were part of nomadic tribes and just because they are now in a village, doesn’t change that they are still doing some of the same practices that have been done for centuries. Change is hard no matter where you are in life. But as Americans, we have the experience to see that change is often a good thing. The water well that was put in at Ng’ang’ange in Aug 2007 and only worked for a few weeks is a good example of how change is hard for our village. Now that the water well is once again working, we hope that they can see that a new source of water can be an improvement. Pray for the villagers of Ng’ang’ange that they would have open minds to change that would make life just a little easier.

A Day in Iringa

Oct 9, 2008 9pm
By: KJ Olson

It’s Thursday already!! It was a €˜free day’ for most of the day today. We had a leisurely 8am breakfast, and KJ brought a treat for our toast this morning . . . . Peanut Butter! It sure did taste good! After breakfast we all went SHOPPING in the market, each on their own mission! Vivian bought a bicycle for Doris Mhanga, KJ and Joanne were in the mood for fabric and baskets, Dorothy found a small 3-legged stool, Addy bought a few trickets for her grandkids, Paula found dolls for her grandkids, and Denny was just along to provide comic relief. We managed to meet up with each other just in time to purchase composition books for the schools we will visit tomorrow in and near Ng’ang’ange. Cua had the Coaster Bus nearby so we could easily put the cartons of paper in the bus to haul them back to the LutheranCenter. It was a good day of shopping before we headed back for more gift packing (and re-packing!) for the Huruma Orphanage and for our village and other schools we will visit.

At 2pm we got back into the Coaster Bus for our tour of the Huruma Orphanage on the west edge of Iringa. This facility is owned and managed by the Iringa Diocese and was first established in 1994. In 2000 they moved to their current facilities, which can accommodate about 40 kids, most of which are boys. Ages range from 5-18 years old. A couple of their kids are now going to the University, which is a huge accomplishment for the minimal staff that is there caring for these kids. We provided them with soccer balls, playground balls, frizbees, soccer shirts and a few school supplies. It was so fun to see kids enjoying the balls, especially one little girl about 5-6 years old. Before we left, one of the frizbees was already on the roof of one of the dormitories. The word €˜Huruma’ in Swahili means €˜sympathy’. The director, €˜Mama’ Chilmalla, was a delightful tour guide. She has worked at the Orphanage since 2000. She lives on the grounds of the Orphanage so it’s a 24×7 job. She does manage to take a few days off a year! It looks like the kids are being taken care of okay, vs having them be on the streets.

Back to the Lutheran Center after our tour of the Orphanage, we got back to gift suitcase packing (and re-packing). UGH€¦ we almost have too many gifts, which is a good problem to have. Aleck and Lucy Mhanga, and daugher Anastina, along with a student from Image Secondary School who’s home is in Ng’ang’ange but is currently working in Iringa before starting her school year will be joining us on our trip to Ng’ang’ange. Along with the 7 of us, gift suitcases, overnight bags, sleeping bags, and whatever else we decide might fit in 2 four-wheel drive vehicles, its going to be a €˜cozy’ ride to Ng’ang’ange for the weekend. A picture will need to be taken to show you all back home how to pack a van for the weekend and still have a good time!! We plan to visit another secondary school (Boomalong’ombe) near Ng’ang’ange where Roseville Lutheran sponsors 6 students. We are hoping to be able to chat with those students and let them SEE US, too. Putting a face to the sponsorship means a lot to both sides of that relationship.

During a most delicious meal of pork loin, potatoes, mixed veggies and banana fritter, which we were serenaded by a group of young Tanzanians. We learned they were awaiting a group from Incarnation Lutheran of Shoreview, MN to arrive to welcome them. Incarnation’s partner congregation is right here in Iringa. About 7:15pm seven weary travelers arrived and were warmly greeted by song and dance of their partner congregation. We are hoping this group will be here yet when we return from our weekend in Ng’ang’ange so that we might exchange ideas and experiences. When we drove to the Orphanage this afternoon, we saw a new church being constructed, which is the congregation that is partnered with Incarnation Lutheran. It’s good to see new construction, especially in such a depressed area of the world.

We are anxious to get to Ng’ang’ange tomorrow and to meet the people of our partner congregation. We’ve chatted about world politics and economics, which doesn’t appear to have much effect on this culture in Africa. Without European and American assistance, there might still be nomadic tribes living inTanzania. We take time to count our own blessings as Americans living with abundance. But are we any happier or any more content than those living in a 3rdworld country like Tanzania? Shouldn’t we be more Christ-like in how we live our lives each and every day? Could we not share more of ourselves with our neighbors, our friends, or with others around the world? We are hopeful that we will be both ambassadors of Roseville Lutheran to Ng’ang’ange and to share a little of Christ’s message in helping them become more Christ-like themselves. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

No Chiropractor Needed – Adjustments done on the road!

Oct 8, 2008 9:45pm
By: KJ Olson & Joanne Otis

Breakfast brought us together this morning and we all decided to try an omelet along with our toast, coffee, tea, and the most wonderful fresh juice. After breakfast we started sorting the gifts that we brought so that we could bring gifts to our sponsored students at ImageSecondary School. That was a MONUMENTAL TASK to say the least.

In western Minnesota through the cornfields there is often a dirt road for the farmers to get from one field to another. Driving on the €˜field roads’ was often a challenge to avoid a pothole here or there. Today the roads we traveled to IlulaHospital and Image (E-ma’-gay) Secondary School were far worse than any field road in Minnesota! And these roads went on for miles and miles! This is not a place for someone with a bad back! We arrived atIlulaHospital and were greeted by Dr. Bonifus, one of three doctors on staff. He was gracious enough to give us a tour despite a long line of patients. The normal tour guide was not available. WOW, what an eye opening site to see so many people needing medical care, and so little available to give care with. Joanne had a chance to see their laboratory€¦what there was of it. Most patients in the hospital are in €˜wards’ of eight beds. Families help feed and care for the patient. The most promising vision was the construction of a €˜nursing school’ on the IlulaHospital grounds. The staff is overworked and underpaid is an understatement!

Leaving IlulaHospital took us on yet another very bumpy road for another hour plus to ImageSecondary School. This greeting we received at the school was like no other. Singing, dancing, and even some gymnastics by a couple of very talented young boys who are very strong! What a joy to see these kids have such enthusiasm for visitors! We felt like royalty!! We then had lunch with some of the staff, followed by a tour of the campus. This being a boarding school, we had a chance to visit the girls dormitory buildings. Eight girls to one room! The most exciting part of this visit was when Vivian Howatt finally met Rebecca Changa, the student that she sponsors. Rebecca has neither parents nor siblings. So for the two of these people to finally meet was a miracle. The other two students from Ng’ang’ange that attend Image where not available. It was a joy to hear the student choir sing us goodbye as we left Image.

After yet another 45 minutes on yet another bumpy road we returned to theLutheranCenter to find Aleck Mhanga waiting to show us his new home that is still under construction. It will be a beautiful home when it is completed in one or two years. (It’s Africa Time!). We then went to Aleck’s current home and had a huge dinner with all of his family. €˜Bebe Vivian’ (Grandma Vivian) was delighted to see all of Aleck and Lucy’s children. The entire family had worked together to cook us dinner of chicken, potatoes, spinach, peas, sausage, rice, and pasta. Vivian also had brought gifts for the Mhanga family for their new home as well, and they were so very thankful. Many times Aleck suggested that his children should go to America! We are hoping that they might make that idea come true.

As we left, Cua, our driver, for the LutheranCenter, we are very tired from a very busy day. All that we observe here gives us so many more ideas on what more we can be doing to make life here just a little easier. With God’s help, we are hopeful that we can someday make that happen.

Large Projects and Small World Encounters

Oct 7, 2008 5pm
By: KJ. Olson

We awoke this morning to a cool mountain breeze. It is much less humid here in Iringa than in Dar and it was a welcome relief. Sleeping with the windows open to that cool breeze was most pleasant. With a quick breakfast here at theLutheranCenter, we then were on our way for a short 10 minute walk for a visit with the staff of the Bishop’s office of the Iringa Diocese. It was a delight to hear of the appreciation of the work that has been accomplished in partnership with the Americans. They are expanding their churches here in the Iringa Region. Their two main projects, however, continue to be Education and Healthcare. The government, churches and schools are all working together to improve the education and healthcare of Tanzanians. It’s a relationship that is working well, although slowly. Besides, this IS AFRICA, where time is not a resource! Africans are much more into relationships than in keeping an appointment.

SACOS(??) is a program for €˜micro-financing’ of small loans to help a family create a small business. Sometimes loans for as little as $50 can help a Tanzanian get what they need to create & support a business. So far all the loans have been paid back in full! But, most people don’t have government issued ID papers. Without a government issued ID paper, one cannot get a loan. Just another glitch in the process!

We then had a tour of TumainiUniversity on the edge of Iringa. A lovely campus that is expanding each year! It was started only 15 years ago with 50 students, and today it has 2500 students!! They are currently building an expansion onto the library, which is a very good sign of €˜success’!! We interrupted Aleck Mhanga for just a few minutes to say hello. Aleck served Roseville Lutheran 17 years ago for 3 months and Vivian Howatt has kept in touch with him through those years. Housing for about 80% of the students is €˜off campus’, so that in itself is serving to create income to the locals who have room for students.

After lunch at the Neema Craft Center and Café, a place for disabled and deaf to find jobs, we got a very interesting tour of the Neema Craft Center where they dye the thread and make scarves, have a kiln to melt recycled glass bottles to make glass beads for jewelry, and a most interesting craft was to put together small solar panels and to wire them so that villagers could re-charge cellphones, run radios, recharge batteries, and other low voltage equipment. FASCINATING!!! The people ”
ho work here are otherwise €˜throw away people’.   Now they can have a job and be productive and have some sense of dignity.

After the NeemaCraftCenter there was a run (ok.. a walk) to the post office and to the market! Internet Café Service is SLOW to say the least but as least it does exist. The €˜shoppers’ are happy! At the market Joanne ran into another fellow Minnesotan Jenny Olson godchild of Don and Sue Menier of RLC. (She’s doing just fine by the way).

We had dinner at RiverCamp down the road apiece from Iringa. There are no street signs or milemarkers just €˜landmarks’ to give directions so finding your way is only by actually having someone else show you. Finding the road to RiverCamp would have been impossible had the driver not known where to turn €¦ in the middle of nowhere! Dinner was delightful in a thatched roof dining hall. Met someone at dinner who had lived in Roseville  MN in the 1960′s as a young boy and grew up around Lexington and County Rd C. He has attendedLakeOwassoElementary School. Just another €˜small world’ encounter!

Tomorrow will be a BIG DAY€¦. It’s now time for some shuteye! PRAISE GOD for all the blessings He has showered upon us this day!

It’s an AMAZING Country

Oct 6 2008 6am
By: KJ. Olson

€œThis is the day that the Lord has made let us REJOICE and be glad in it!!€ It’s a new day in Tanzania! As the sun comes up over the Indian Ocean which is just yards from our Guest House we are able to SEE Africaand God’s unique creation this morning! The seven of us shared one Guest House with one bathroom. Just call it COZY! We’ll get to know each other quite quickly as we share our lives together over the next 2 weeks. We are anxious to get back on the road after breakfast and begin our journey to Iringa and Ng’ang’ange. What a privilege it is to be able to visit our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iringa and Ng’ang’ange. PRAISE GOD!! We have no idea what we are about to encounter on this day’s journey.

Oct 6 2008 8:30pm

€œLook for wild animals!€    €œLook there by that tree there are two giraffe.€     €œLook over there it’s Cape Buffalo.€       €œOh my there’s zebra with little ones.€    And after seeing baboons monkeys gazelles elephants and warthogs we decided we were definitely in Africa. Upon leaving Dar es Salaam this morning with its smelly car exhaust charcoal cooking and burning brush we headed across the countryside of Tanzania. Dar es Salaamis a city of about 3-4 million people with little infrastructure. With a plethora of small shops/booths that line the streets large €˜vans’ that are the €˜city buses’ jammed with riders bicycles used as part of the distribution system and hundreds of pedestrians it’s an amazing city. The weather was hot and very humid€¦ almost tropical. The roadside had a fair amount of litter right along with goats and chickens and cows. Each village along the road (one of two cross-country tar roads in Tanzania) had several mud brick huts and folks selling their wares. Anything from buckets of onions to woven baskets (hung from branches along the roadside) to piles of cement blocks and bricks to woven grass rugs to large bags of charcoal. Without an infrastructure to collect and re-distribute their commodities the Tanzanians depend on the more direct distribution system. One thing for sure there is no middleman in the supply chain here!! Automobile fuel is about $7/gallon. Most of the vehicles on the roads were trucks and distribution vehicles. Didn’t see any €˜new’ cars on the roads. Most people walk or a few people have bicycles. It’s certainly a much different world than what we left just a little over 48 hrs ago!!

That was ahead of us however in the Mukumi National Park that we drove through to get to Iringa was far beyond our expectations. After a brief stop in Morogoro the wildlife was just that €“ wild life. Giraffe and Elephants were our first sightings of African wildlife followed by cape buffalo zebra warthogs gazelle baboon and monkey. The road got significantly more treacherous after we left the National Park with potholes almost the size of a small car! We came upon Iringa about 6:15pm. WHEW€¦. What a long day of sensory overload. We are thankful for a safe journey this far and especially for our excellent bus driver Cua (Ku’-a) as he navigated through the wildlife in the National Park the potholes and finally the mountains on the way to Iringa. After a delicious meal of chicken potatoes and chocolate cake we settled in for a good night’s sleep. The weather is PERFECT with a cool breeze and much less humid than in Dar es Salaam. We look forward to tomorrow when we begin visiting and observing schools as in TumainiUniversity and ImageSecondary School the Iringa Diocese and a visit with the staff of Iringa Area Bishop Mdegella. Finally we are welcomed (Karibu) to the Iringa Area! Our GOD is an AWESOME GOD to have brought us safely to Iringa Town and the Lutheran Center.

JAMBO! We’ve Arrived

Oct 4-5 2008
By: KJ. Olson

JAMBO!!! We have arrived in Dar es Salaam without incident (other than a couple of folks shopping in AmsterdamAirport instead of boarding the plane).  After 24+ hrs of travel time it was good to see Bo Skillman’s face at the Dar Airport! Skillman as he is called here in Africa is our Bega Kwa Bega Coordinator for the next several days till we get to Zanzibar. PRAISE GOD for safe travel thus far. We are staying at the Free Pentecostal Guest House tonight in Dar but it’s now midnight and most of us are far from falling asleep. We are all trying to remember where we packed things so we can get enough to get going tomorrow morning. We will be back on the road tomorrow about 8am for one more full day of travel to Iringa. We are excited to have the opportunity to SEE Africa and to begin to experience the culture the people and this far away land.

The Bags are Packed!!

October 2 2008
By: KJ Olson

In just a couple of days  we will depart Minnesota and begin our mission trip to Ng’ang’ange Tanzania.  We are excited anxious and blessed as we begin this journey.

Last Saturday we packed over 300 lbs of gifts collected for us to distribute to our sponsored students the kids of Ng’ang’ange and others who will help us throughout this trip.  Your passion gifts that were collected the past 2 weekends have exceeded the $6000 that was contributed in 2007!  PRAISE GOD for your generous hearts!

Please continue to offer up prayer for our safe travel and for our health as well as for those in Tanzania who will be helping us.  And don’t forget to include the Ng’ang’ange Congregation in prayer as well.

The seven us of thank GOD for our ability to be his servants on this mission trip.   We wish we were nine instead of seven however.  Please also keep in your prayers the family of Ginny Heuer as they continue to mourn her death.  But death has lost it’s sting for Ginny.  She is with her Lord and Savior Jesus….  and she will be our guardian angel on this trip!

Paula and Denny Olander and Addy Murtaugh

KJ Olson and Joanne Otis

Vivian Howatt and Dorothy Borgstrom

With Sadness….

September 28 2008

How does one begin to write into words the emotions of loosing a dear friend to tradegy.  Our sister in Christ Ginny Heuer passed away yesterday as a result of a tragic accident.  Her life cut short her dreams dashed.  Ginny and her husband Jeff were going to Africa with us next week.  She had been a part of the planning of this trip for the past 10 months and was excited to be going to Tanzania to see the children and to meet our brothers and sisters in Ng’ang’ange and Iringa.  As the news spread yesterday of the tragic accident our hearts ached for the loss from our lives in the life of Ginny.  As a committed Christian she lived her faith every day caring for others loving life supporting others in their faith journey and always giving a smile or a hug.  She loved God with all her heart and found opportunity to share God’s love with others in her every day life.  Please keep her husband Jeff and her family in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead.  Blessed be the life and memory of Ginny Heuer.

Our group’s commissioning this weekend will go forward   We will continue on with the mission trip to Tanzania.  Yes it will be a different trip without these two vibrant folks but we will turn toward sharing of ourselves our time and our possessions with our companion congregation of Ng’ang’ange and others in a country where they rejoice in the LORD and in the lives He has given them.  As these blog entries continue throughout the trip you’ll need to understand that not having Jeff and Ginny on this trip will change the trip immensely and change how these entries will be written.  Please keep our Tanzania Team also in your prayers in the days ahead as we re-focus and prepare for our mission trip to Ng’ang’ange.

Remembering Feb 2007 (pictures)

By: KJ Olson
September 14 2008

As seven of the nine Tanzania Team travelers gathered at this morning’s 10:10 hr on RLC’s Mission and Outreach connections I was reminded that without the base support from RLC’s General MInistry Budget none of these ‘connections’ would be possible.  Many thanks goes to our Mission and Outreach team for their undying passion of ‘sharing our gifts with others’ whether that’s here in Roseville or across an ocean.

Here are a few pictures from the Feb 2007 Tanzania team and provides us with a sliver of a glimpse of what the nine of us will experience in just 3 short weeks!

EXCITEMENT & ANXIOUSNESS ABOUND

September 4 2008
By: KJ Olson

The RLC Tanzania Team has just over 4 weeks before we depart on October 4th for our mission trip to visit Ng’ang’ange Tanzania!  We are excited anxious and even a little frightened to take such a trip but TOGETHER we will be ready to visit our Tanzanian Christian brothers and sisters.

We continue to ask you to contribute gifts of new or gently used soccer balls and air pumps reading glasses(those ‘cheater’ kind from the drug store dollar store or discount store) and financial gifts as well.  There is a tub in the Commons for you to drop off the tangible gifts.  We are praying that we can exceed the $6000that was contributed in Feb 2007 prior to the first Tanzania Team’s visit from RLC to Ng’ang’ange.  A Special Appeal will kick off on Sept 20-21 and conclude on Sept 27-28 when the nine of us will be commissioned at Roseville Lutheran.  That will truly be a special day for the nine of us and also for you as a friend or congregation member.

We are hopeful that we will be able to pack all the gifts that we are collecting which include quilts made by the RLC Quilters baptism napkins and blankets flashlights pocket calendars banners for Ng’ang’ange and the 5 preaching points pens pencils school supplies and even 2 laptop computers & carrypacks along with the soccer ball and frizbees.  We also will be gleefully handing out colorful silicone bracelets in Tanzania as a remembrance of our visit with Ng’ang’ange!

Your PRAYERS and SUPPORT of the Tanzania Team are graciously and earnestly requested in the now 30 days before our departure and for the 16 days we are traveling.  To GOD be the GLORY (Soli Deo Gloria!)

Partners in Christ – Ng’ang’ange & RLC

August 21 2008
By: KJ Olson

JAMBO!  (Hello in Kiswahili).  It is with great joy that I begin writing this BLOG for the Tanzania Team 2008 which will be traveling to visit our companion congregation of Ng’ang’ange (pronounced ‘n-GONG-gay’) in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania October 4 -20 2008.

The members of this team are:

• Dorothy Borgstrom
• Jeff Bowar
• Ginny Heuer
• Vivian Howatt
• Addy Murtuagh
• Denny Olander
• Paula Olander
• KJ Olson
• Joanne Otis

Planning this trip began in January 2008…. with flight arrangements transportation lodging food and gifts for our companion congregation and their 5 preaching points.  We have worked closely with Bega Kwa Bega Coordinator Bo Skillman a volunteer himself who will be with us for most of the trip to help us through the logistics and cultural differences of Tanzania.  “Bega Kwa Bega” is Kiswahili for ‘shoulder to shoulder’ and is sponsored by the St. Paul Area Synod.  Former RLC Pastor Tom Nielson is also a Bega Kwa Bega volunteer coordinator.  This outreach program is a model for other ELCA synods to use to reach out to other areas of the world.

The Tanzania Team has been collecting gifts that we will be taking along with us to Tanzania not only for our companion congregation but also for our sponsored students at secondary schools in Iringa.  We need your help in collecting soccer balls and pumps hackysacks reading glasses while RLC’s CornerStone kids will be collecting pens pencils erasers  and sharpeners.  If you can contribute one or more of these gifts  please drop them off in the Commons in the tub marked ‘TANZANIA’.  We’ve love to have our suitcases bursting with gifts for our Tanzanian brothers and sisters.

September will be filled with info and events related to Tanzania.  Sept 14th’s 10:10 Hour will have a Tanzania presentation.  Sept 20-21 we will formally kickoff a Special Appeal to give you an opportunity to share a financial gift for the Tanzania Team to take along and on Sept 27-28 will be our commissioning at all worship services.

ers. Now after 10 years the Bible School is graduating many leaders and has an affiliation with the University of Zilina.  There are still teachers from St. Andrews coming to teach Vacation Bible School but the Bible Story Dramas are led by the staff congregation volunteers and some of our Conversational English students all from Slovakia!

135 Summer Son-Sation summer-son-sation ”

Christian Camps for preschoolers through 6th graders

(participants must turn 3 by 9/1/2011)

Monday-Friday
June 13-July 1 and July 11-29
9:00am – noon

Saturday, April 9 kicked off the registration for Summer SonSation. Sixty families registered in the first hour. By the end of registration, four camps were already full and several others were almost full. It was a wonderful morning filled with lots of excitement and fellowship. Thank you, all you dedicated volunteers who worked through the morning €“ Bobbi Alcott, Jessica Clausen, Deanna Kohanek, Sue McGregor, Gena Mickley, Karen Rogers, Chris Smedsrud, and Jenny Zuppan. Summer SonSation offers week-long camps Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon with a wide range of activities that are fun for children preschool through 6th grade. Several different camps are given the weeks of June 13-17, June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15, July 18-22, and July 25-29. This year more preschool camps were added to help accommodate more families. This means that more staff and more volunteers are needed. Applications are available in the church library. The staff is a hard-working, fun-loving group, and others are sought with the same commitment to leading children and having a blast while doing so.

For more information, please check the church website, the children’s ministry desk or contact Susan Watson, Director of Summer SonSation at sonsation@rosevillelutheran.org.