Let me introduce you to Pastor Connely Dyrud. Connely is originally from Minnesota (the iron range) and after his ordination out of seminary he took his wife and small children to Brazil where they served as missionaries for 35 years. Needless to say Connely has some amazing stories to tell about his experiences there. While he and his wife were visiting family in the U.S. in 2005 his wife was diagnosed with cancer. As I like to say about my mom, Connely's wife receieved her healing in heaven. It was my privilege to host Conely for a few days while he conducted some ministry endeavors in northern Slovakia.

After picking up Connely in Vienna he came to stay with me for a few days where we enjoyed getting to know each other. This was a great opportunity for me to soak up some wisdom about how to be an effective missionary in a foreign culture. Connely currently teaches at a small bible college in Maple Grove, Mn preparing students for short and long term mission service. Part of his duties are to travel to where some of these students are serving to encourage them and see how they are coping with the rigors of acclimating to a new culture. After spending 10 days in northern Slovakia and Poland Connely returned to Bratislava and my flat before flying out of Vienna the next day.

Connely had never been to this part of the world and so naturally I wanted to show him around my home city. Here, of course, is the National Theatre where all the major orchestra concerts, ballets and other artistical performances are experienced. I personally have still never been inside this building which is off limilt to tourists. I look forward to the opportunity to see a performance here someday soon.

A famous passage in the "old town" with St Michaels Gate in the background. Connely seemed to really enjoy his visit to the city known in the medieval times as Pressburg.

This photo was too unique not share on the blog. As Connely and I were coming out of the restaraunt one evening, this is what we encountered. We had seen a long procession of cars earlier that evening in the city and knew a wedding was taking place. Then we had the good fortune of seeing the bride walking with, presumably, her grandmother. Quaint.

While Connely was having his adventures in Poland, me and some Slovak compadres had the opportunity to go into this prison about 4 hours north of Bratislava. I was invited to teach a group of incarcerated young men on the subject of anger. Surprisingly, I was allowed to include a faith foundation to my message. What a great opportunity.

These are the friends who accompanied me into the facility. In the foreground is Lukas who served as my translator on this occasion. He is from a nearby town called Zilina although he lives in Bratislava right now as he finishes his law degree. In the background is Janko whom you have met before. Janko works for the organization who arranged our time in the prison. There are about 5-6 prisons that Janko visits on a regular basis to befriend the inmates and encourage them in their faith. You can see they are bringing in reading materials to distribute to the guys behind the walls.

As you can see, the residents of this facility have a room with a view. The whole area is surrounded by these beautiful mountains (the Tatras). There were many castle ruins visible along the mountain road we traveled to get here. I will certainly go back to this area for some hiking and exploring. Magnificent!

The whole experience was fantastic. There were about 35 guys in the room. Most of them have relatively short sentences (less than a year). I would say nearly half were Gypsie guys who have dark skin and dark hair. Generally they are looked down on by many people in this part of the world and considered to be a lower class or race. The women administrator who was our host at the facility took some photos while we were in the room teaching because we were not allowed to bring in our own camera. I am hoping she will send me some of those pictures which I will share on the blog if they come.

After our time in the prison we went to the closest little village known as Martin. This little village is the place where the organization Connely works for has been instramental in setting up a bible college. There is a steady stream of American missionaries coming here to study at the college and serve in the community in some capacity. This photo is right outside the college near the campus church.

The timing of our endeavor at the prison was perfect because Connely was wrapping up his tour and needed to get back to Bratislava. Had he taken a train it would take him 7-8 hours because of the frequent stops. He was more than happy to be riding back with us. The next morning I would take Connely back to Vienna from my flat. The people in this photo are: Connely, Brenda and Racheal, who are the missionary students currently serving here in Martin. Both these girls are from Minnesota as is Paul Blom who hails from Alexandria, Mn. Paul has been here since September helping to supervise and facilitate the ministry endeavors here. So, for all you Minnesotans reading this blog, here is a sample of Minnesota's finest. They would appreciate your prayer support.

This is a view from my front balcony only 8 days ago. It was a brief return of winter that was over the next day. Today, and for the next week, it will be sunny and mid-sixties (21 celsius for all you Europeans). One of those blue doors is my garage space where I keep the car I finally purchased a few weeks ago. It has been nice having that independence again, to go where you want when you need to go. There will still be many occasions when the bus makes more sense due to parking and congestion. In a city of 700,000, where the streets are narrow and few, things can get a bit crowded sometimes (ok, all the time).

If you are a consistant reader of the blog then you already know this family. Slavo, his wife Katka and their son Simoen have become dear friends. They invited me over for Sunday lunch last week to their new flat about a 20 minute drive outside of the city. Their new development is located right next to a very large Volkswagon factory. This is a growing trend here, to get out of the city where the noise and the air are less polluted. These new developments could be classified as suburbs. Slovakia really hasnt had anything like the suburbs we know so well in America, only cities, towns and small villages.

This development is still in the making. There are apartments, single family homes and structures that are designed for two families. They are beautiful places and extremely affordable, especially by American standards.

It was a great day for a walk, or a ride, depending on your choice of transportation. Simoen is a great one to practice my Slovak with because I am about at his level with the language. He also speaks a few English words and he looks like the all-American boy.

This was a small going away party for my friend Martin who decided to live and work in London for 8-10 months to generate some increased income. I am pleased that my flat can be used as a place for fellowship and social gatherings as I enjoy hosting others. Just a few days ago I attended a musical rendition of the The 3 Musketeers. I wish I could have taken some photos but it was not allowed. My Slovak is improving so I was able to understand some of the lyrics of the all-music performance. All for one and one for all. It was a real enjoyable and well done production. The highlight of this past week was going to another Slovan hockey game (the local professional team). It was a big game because they are in the championship finals. 7500 screaming Slovaks cheered the home team to victory and everybody went home happy. These past 2 weeks have been full of significant encounters and fulfilling experiences here in Slovakia.

Welcome to the Slovakian countryside. This is an area less than 2 hours north of Bratislava. The nearest large town is called Piestany (Pee-esh-tanee). This past Saturday three friends and I decided to take a road trip and enjoy a day of hiking. Often times when you go hiking in Slovakia there is a good chance you will see something quite old and historic. Usually that means castle ruins. There are upwards of 100 or more castle ruins spread out around Slovakia. Today was no exception as we would experience the ruins known as the castle Tematin. These are my SK friends (from the left) Stefan, Martin and Mateo. We packed up food, water and other supplies and headed for the hills. The weather was ideal, mostly sunny, mid 50’s and a mild wind. The conversation was great and the sites even better.

Language was a frequent topic of conversation today because I want to improve my Slovak and my 3 friends are always aspiring to improve their English. I wish my Slovak was at the stage where I could exclusively speak SK to them while they speak English to me. With some very basic topics it is possible, however for most in-depth exchanges we end up reverting back to English other wise it would be an exercise in futility. Thankfully each of these guys speaks good English. All of these guys and I share the same belief system with regard to matters of faith which makes the time together in Gods amazing creation even more enjoyable.

As you can see this region is quite hilly. There is nothing here that would be considered a mountain but beautiful nonetheless. First we hiked up to this high vantage point to enjoy the view(includes first 2 photos). From here we could see the castle ruins we would eventually arrive at but it was too far away for my camera to get a clear shot. What a joy it is to get out of the hustling, bustling city for a day and enjoy the peace and fresh air of this place. There is a small ski area here which comes complete with a way to get back up the hill after a run down to the bottom.

Along the way we had the good fortune of experiencing some of the first flowers of spring. Beautiful indeed. I'm sure the flower enthusiasts out there know what this is. Unfortunately I couldnt tell you. I am told it is not easily found growing in the wild. What is interesting to me is that on each of my trips to the Slovakian wilderness there seems to be very few critters moving about. There are no doubt a vast array of animals large and small roaming around in these woods, it is just a rare occasion to actually see them. I think of some of my excursions to the woods back home and recall the multitude of birds, squirrels, rabbits, fox, deer… Maybe its my deodorant.

Finally we arrive at Tematin. This a grand site because there is still so much of the original building still intact. Many castle ruins consist only of the original foundation and a few half walls. The first written record of Tematin is from the year 1270 which means the castle was built around that time period.

As with many castles, Tematin was built for military purposes. Originally it was built as a defense against the inhabitants of what is now known as Hungary. The castle also served as one of several that was built along a certain route which was a frequently traveled passage way from one country to another. The inhabitants of the castle protected travelers from bandits and thieves. Naturally, there was also a time around the 16th and 17th century when a king and queen lived in this castle. If only the walls could speak. The stones would have amazing stories to tell.

Next we traveled to this site to see something not as impressive visually but equally interesting historically.

This is a photo of the foundation for a church which was built around the 8th or 9th century. If I have my information correct the church was built by Byzantine missionaries who came from Thessalonica. Their mission was one of the first to bring the gospel story of Jesus Christ to Slavic speaking people.

The main body of this area was for the gathering of the congregation. The smaller space focused on in this photo served as the area where the minister conducted the service. What was spoken within these walls? How did they deal with the language barrier? Just being here, standing on this plot of land, I felt as if I was walking on holy ground.

Another beautiful view and a curious little cutie peeking around the corner.

Perpetual spring continues here in Slovakia as the climate feels like a Minnesota April. Although as you can see by the photos we did have what seemed to be one more small attempt by winter to make an appearance. The forecast is for 60’s this next week. This is the Bratislava castle which sits majestically atop the hill overlooking the city. Despit the wintery appearance here, there have already been several days where shorts was all that was needed which always draws many stares and strange looks from the locals. Many of them are still wearing winter coats with scarves, hats, gloves… When I tell people what the temps have been back where I grew up it seems people can understand better a guy who doesn’t wear a coat. My journey of acclimation into the culture here is also perpetual, the layers of which are deep and wide. By that I mean the process takes place on so many different levels such as language, attitudes, behavioral norms...and goes deeper (or takes longer) than one can know with a simple understanding. The variations included in the process are as long and complex as human beings themselves. The effects of constantly being exposed to “acclimation” take a subtle but very real toll. Sometimes I get frustrated by the fatigue I experience here which occurs so frequently since coming to Slovakia. This is something I have not experienced before in my life, at least not on this scale. The majority of my life I have enjoyed a high level of energy and drive. I have come to realize that this process of acclimation, which I underestimated before arriving here, consumes quite a bit of my energy each day in a way not so easily noticed. As each week goes by I believe the drain of energy is not as strong as before but still very prevalent. Each day it is important to make sure I adhere to a good balanced regimen of everything I need to be as healthy as possible ( body, mind and spirit). When I can do that successfully I am able to get through the days, accomplish what I need to do and find a measure of contentment through it all.

At times it still feels a little like I am walking around in a movie. I thought by now the surreal sensation of being here would be long gone. The reality is that there are still moments when I think to myself “oh, right, this is not Minnesota.” At times it feels like a grand adventure which brings excitement and energy and other times it feels like an anxiousness which brings a feeling of uncomfortable oppression. In other places on past blog segments I have written about the way this type of experience seems to be an opportunity to encounter God in ways maybe not so common when living in a comfortable, familiar place. Too often believers decide that when this type of trial in our lives emerges that God has withdrawn from us in some fashion. I continue to attempt to delve deeper into this reality of encountering God in the midst of dark, painful or difficult circumstances. I’ve noticed that when I am in a familiar, comfortable setting my mind is in sort of a cruise control mode and my understanding of God seems to be altered. The best way I know how to describe it is that when I am in a comfort zone I have a certain self confidence which tends to reshape my image of God. To be a confident person is typically a good thing, depending on what you are putting your confidence in. Too often in my past the confidence I used to accomplish or succeed in life is rooted in my self. When that happens I notice a change in my perception of God and the place of authority I give Him in my life. God becomes, in many ways, an equal partner in the happenings of my life. I invite God along for the ride, so to speak, but give Him very little authority to do with me as He sees fit. In other words I am assuming control over my life as opposed to letting it go and giving it up to God. This is an extremely subtle process and very difficult to detect in one’s own mentality ( at least for me). Being in Slovakia has stripped me of much of the self confidence I might use to try and plan or succeed relying on my own efforts.

The story of Job in the scriptures has a wealth of wisdom on this subject. According to the author of Job, he was as close to perfect as a human being could get in regard to obedience, humility, generosity and faith. For reasons completely unknown to Job, his life, everything he loved and found comfort and stability in was suddenly taken away. His incredible wealth disappeared and almost everyone he loved was killed. At first his response to God demonstrated an amazing faith. Job simply continued to worship God and put his trust in Him. Later after the shock wore off and the reality set in Job began questioning God’s motives and asking for some justification for all that had befallen him. God gave him none. In the end God finally spoke and He showed Himself to Job by revealing just how mighty and powerful He really is. The experience overwhelmed Job and he again bowed down in worship realizing how incredibly foolish it is to ever question God or His motives and intentions for his life.

The photo is from the back balcony at my apartment looking down at my neighbors balcony and beyond.

This photo is also from my balcony.
In a similar, less dramatic sort of way, this has been my experience here. And it doesn’t seem to matter where you live or what your life circumstances are, life has a way of teaching us we are not in control. The question is, are we listening? As I have said before, the reality is I do not belong to myself. My life is not my own to do with as I please. Everything I have has been give to me as a gift and it may all be changed or taken away with no notice and for no reason I can understand. At face value life may look like a raw deal sometimes. It may seem like we are stuck in a real solutionless situation. Often times, on a deeper level, I have questioned why I am here in Slovakia. There are many things in the temporal realm I can point to and say” that’s why I am here.” But why has the process been such an up hill climb? I wonder why I feel almost constantly as if I am carrying a refrigerator on my back. The questions about whether I am any earthly good to anyone here resound in my mind. Again, when I look at it practically I know there has been and will be "ripples on the pond" as a result of my being here. I have no clue what the future looks like. But through it all there is one thing I do know, God is in control. I don’t understand how or what that looks like but I know it to be true. One thing I am certain of is God cares about what happens to me. There is a plan and a purpose for my life which is far above my ability to understand.

Now, I can either be anxious and fearful about not having my own fate in my hands or I can rest peacefully in it. It is totally an issue of control, trust and confidence. To what or whom am I placing those 3 crucial aspects of my life. There is no guarantee about being comfortable or experiencing pleasure along the journey. As a matter of fact I know that if I trust God with every detail of my life I will experience a great deal of hardship and difficulty. In addition, my life is going to be used in a way that appears to be a complete waste according to a wordly understanding with regard to what defines success and achievement. The only question is: am I willing to walk in that reality, to be obedient to it. The answer is, some days “yes” and some days “no.” The alternative is the same and yet different. The same because even if I choose to go my own way in life, leaning on my own understanding, relying on self confidence there is also drudgery, anxiety and suffering. It is different however because the former has the promise of hope for efforts which are shaped into something useful for others as well as the great eternal hope at the end of my life. The latter leads nowhere and accomplishes nothing of any earthly good and the rewards are only what I receive here when I experience brief and fleeting moments of pleasure. And so we press on…
This photo is from a small dinner gathering recently. The host is Tony (far right) who is from Australia and has been traveling the globe for many years as a minister of the gospel. Next to him is Antonio who hails from Bucharest, Romania. Lena added the only touch of feminine grace to our evening. She is from the Ukraine. This is one of the great things about living abroad. Almost everyone you meet is from a distant land with a completely unique culture, language and life experience.