June 18, 2018      

REFLECTIONS!!

The Builders Group (aka Elite Eleven) has been back in Minnesota and Arizona for a couple of weeks.  We so easily fall back into our routines and yet, we are all changed, even a little, as a result of our 11 days with our Slovak friends in Martin.  We feel happy to have put our hands and feet to work in God's service in renovating a few windows, swishing a paintbrush, replacing tabletops, or even just pulling weeds.  Over 460 person hours were freely shared by this Builders Group. WOW!!! That's over a quarter of a year of a full time employee!!

However, our presence in Martin isn't all about renovating windows and tabletops.  It's more about the renovation of FAMILIES and NEIGHBORHOODS not only in Martin, but in the communities in which we ALL live, Slovaks and Americans.    It's taking the time to share our individual gifts , talents, skills, and expertise with those in need. It's about listening to someone's struggles and problems.  It's about sharing in someone's joys and excitement as they begin a new chapter in their life. It's about encouraging each other. It's about LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR, wherever God puts you on any given day of your life.  These are the lessons we now take with us as we go back to our 'renovated routines'.

Here are reflections from a few of the Builders Group' Elite Eleven':

Jeff Bowar:  My thoughts on the Builders’ Group 2018 trip follow two paths – one of remembering people and things accomplished in earlier trips, and one of seeing and being amazed by all the changes that have happened since I was there in 2011.

It was nice to see once again some of the accomplishments of the past, and to visit with Adrian and Bohdan and others, with some reminiscences of past good times, and talk of the present challenges and joys.  It was also great fun to play trombone with the brass ensemble they have put together!  But it was best to see all the growth, to see the changes in the campus and, most importantly, the growth in the students, teachers and others as they move forward.  I keep thinking of Bohdan’s comment that the students “like going to school”.  That is a simple but powerful testimony and a great portent for the future there.

Erik Wolhowe/Jan Abell:  Jan and I really enjoyed the mission trip to Martin, Slovakia.  Traveling and working with fellow members of RLC and getting to know them better was very rewarding.  Being around the school and the staff was a lot of fun. They treated us like royalty even though we all wore our dirty tee shirts a few days too many.

The thing that impressed me most about the school was the quality of the staff.    They are all very dedicated to the success of the school and they all have excellent talents and skills that they put to full use in making the school such a great place for students from around the Martin area to get a solid Christian based education.

Jan and I saw evidence of this wherever we looked.   The grade school classrooms were full of happy and curious kids who were eager to practice their English with us.  The high school graduates were well spoken and self confident as they told us about their plans for the future.  

Jan and I are pleased that we could do a small part in helping at the school and we are confident that the financial support that RLC sends is wisely and efficiently spent.  

Rich & Julie Wendland:  It was fun to see the reaction of those that traveled to Martin for the first time and to see them get excited about this amazing place.  It was great to see the continued reconstruction process of the high school building. The new rooms are so beautiful and inviting. As always it is great to see and visit with those that we have come to know at the CCE.  It was interesting to see how much more the younger students wanted to be able to practice their English and to be able to talk with us. And we look forward to being able to help host the families from Slovakia this summer.

Mary Gookins:  This was my fifth trip to Martin, Slovakia. In 2008 I was there to teach Conversational English and participated in the 10th Anniversary celebration. In 2010 I also taught Conversational English, watched as the local tv station recorded the “taking down of the wall” between the Bible school and the new buildings and celebrated a delightful 4th of July at a picnic in a field on the hills near Martin. 2012 and 2014 and now 2018 found me there with KJ and the Builders Group working on various building and clean up projects around the campus. Once again the local tv was there to record progress at the school. It has been a joy to have seen the growth of the Bible School, to have participated in beautiful worship services in the church, and to have built relationships with so many American and Slovak friends. Each visit has brought new experiences and new memories.

Returning to my home church, Hosanna Lutheran in Forest Lake, on Sunday, June 3, I attended the Bible study preceding the Sunday worship service and was delighted to learn that the summer worship services are based on the book of Acts. Everything Pastor Linda said that Sunday and the following translated in my mind to my experiences in Martin. The discussion centered around witnessing, growing a congregation of believers, bringing different faith communities together, being a bold congregation doing extraordinary things to make a difference in the world and equipping people through relationships to live out their faith. Her final statement in last Sunday’s study guide : The story told in ACTS is open-ended because it continues today in churches around the WORLD! I certainly see that in Martin, Slovakia

HUGE thanks to the members and friends and staff of Roseville  Lutheran Church & St. Andrew's Lutheran Church along with our individual friends and families, who held us in prayer in our preparation and our doings of mission work.  We felt your prayers and thoughts thousands of miles away, as the Holy Spirit was our bonding agent. TOGETHER we make a difference!!

Our Builders Group motto holds true once again:  

RENOVATING ROOMS...  RENOVATING LIVES!!!

…. and the life being renovated might just be your own!