Greetings to all!

Some time has passed since my last writing so that now it is time to summarize our experiences! This year was not our typical block and mortar experience. Our original plan was to erect 100 feet of classroom walls to assist with the completion of the CCE High School. However, God had quite a different plan for us. Instead we spent a great deal of our time building Christian relationships and foundations with many students in Martin, Bardejov and in Presov, Slovakia. The last 2 cities are in Eastern Slovakia.

Our work days in Martin were spent preparing the Physics and Chemistry laboratories for the laying of floor tile and the placement of the lab equipment. After 40 years of deterioration the many windows needed extensive cleaning, scraping, wood repair, putty placement, many coats of paint and then final cleaning. This was very time consuming but we did complete those tasks so that within a month the plan is to begin classes in those labs as these rooms are ready for floor instillation and classroom equipment.

A very meaningful highlight in Martin was our time with the young students! We attended three worship services, one with, the elementary students, one with the middle school children and the last with high school students. The sermon message was given by Joe Lunders on 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 regarding “Faith, Hope and Love”. Our builders group members shared their faith stories and a bit about their volunteer projects and how they proclaim, serve with love at home. On Sunday, we shared our faith stories with the Martin congregation.

Twice while in Martin, the news reporters from local and national news interviewed our group. It was interesting that while in Martin as well as while we were in Bardejov, we were recognized on the streets of those cities by local folks who approached us and shared that they had seen us on television.

In Bardejov, we were hosted by Baska and David Schader. David spent two years studying at the Luther Seminary in St Paul, MN. where many of us became close friends with this exceptional couple.

With David’s youth group we shared our faith with and Christian development testimonies with the Lutheran church confirmation class who were on a weekend retreat. What a special time we had with them!

On Saturday, we spent 4 hours in the evening with the young adult group from the Lutheran church in Bardejov. We all shared our faith stories, how our faith developed over time and enjoyed hearing their faith stores as well! It was truly a very meaningful time for all of us! It was clear that the students were happy to have us with them and we of course were overjoyed to be with them!

On Sunday, May 1st, Joe Lunders greeted the congregation at the Bardejov Lutheran Church of Augsburg Confession with a short message after introducing each of our group. This church was built in 1766. after the service the Pastor Jan Velebir shared time with us giving us a tour of the church and it’s history. He also walked us through the young adult building which burned down last year and is now being will be transformed into a new refurbished young adult building! On Monday, May 2nd,we traveled to Presov, the 3rd largest city in Slovakia where we were hosted by Denise and Daniel Harcar who are missionaries with Josiah Ventures. Time did not allow us to interact with the youth who they work with but they presented to us a description of their youth program and shared their financial needs with us. Both of the youth programs in Bardejov and in Presov are in financial need!

Truly, our builders group were very impressed by the youth’s expression of their faith and there dedication to prayer and their faith.

We all are so blessed and so thankful to God for this terrific experience while in Slovakia! THANKS BE TO GOD!

Joann and Joe Lunders, Bud Helmen, Earl Brunberg, Mary Lee Waldman, Bob Jandeska and Linda Thueson