Marek and Johnny helped make "American Mac 'n Cheese - With a Slovak Twist" and Radko helped supervise!What a helper!
What great helpers!
And finally some great toast with (American!) peanut butter and honey... Thanks Granny and Grandad Toler!
My year in Slovakia
- Sarah Fitch
- now located in Hybe, Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia
- YAGM is a program from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that gives young adults the opportunity to be in global mission. There are about 45 active missionaries from YAGM spread out all over the world - sharing experiences that foster the development of leadership, present cross-culture skill building, and ultimately bring forth young adults that are "globally formed and globally informed". I am very excited to be joining this program for a one year experience in Slovakia. I anticipate being of service but also growing in my faith and personal identity.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Fun times with the Ziskovci
It's a lovely week here at the base of the Tatras! Since it is All Saints' Weekend, it's also a national holiday (4-day weekend!) here in Slovakia. My friend and program coordinator Zuzka and her husband Johnny invited me to spend the evening with them and their boys. Theyhad me over for a slumber party with the family... we had dinner and then celebrated the Lutheran Reformation by watching the movie Martin Luther. It has been a great time!
Marek and Johnny helped make "American Mac 'n Cheese - With a Slovak Twist" and Radko helped supervise!What a helper!
What great helpers!
And finally some great toast with (American!) peanut butter and honey... Thanks Granny and Grandad Toler!
Marek and Johnny helped make "American Mac 'n Cheese - With a Slovak Twist" and Radko helped supervise!What a helper!
What great helpers!And finally some great toast with (American!) peanut butter and honey... Thanks Granny and Grandad Toler!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Some more from life in central Europe
Special music for a celebration at church yesterday...
Stephansdome in Vienna. Just too beautiful to describe!
This is the group of students for Slovak language school in Bratislava. Ben, Lucas, Rebekka, Manuel, Rasmus, Louise, Maria, and Tillman are all volunteers from Germany. Christina and I were the only two Americans.
The Muchal Family - over for dinner at my flat. Dinner was so much fun! Yes, I was quite nervous and anxious at the beginning, but Zuzka and Paja kept reminding me..."We are your family - don"t worry!" The Muchals also brought a cake and bottle of wine with them. How precious! The running family joke is I always have extra sweets on-hand in case the meal is a disaster...Paja is funny when she and I remind each other about that.
This next one is for the Cajuns...just a little fun place for you in Vienna.
Zuzka and Johnny Z. took me along with their boys Marek and Radko on a hike to "The Unknown". It was a beautiful Sunday and a wonderful way to see the sights from WAY up high
.
Stephansdome in Vienna. Just too beautiful to describe!
This is the group of students for Slovak language school in Bratislava. Ben, Lucas, Rebekka, Manuel, Rasmus, Louise, Maria, and Tillman are all volunteers from Germany. Christina and I were the only two Americans.
The Muchal Family - over for dinner at my flat. Dinner was so much fun! Yes, I was quite nervous and anxious at the beginning, but Zuzka and Paja kept reminding me..."We are your family - don"t worry!" The Muchals also brought a cake and bottle of wine with them. How precious! The running family joke is I always have extra sweets on-hand in case the meal is a disaster...Paja is funny when she and I remind each other about that.This next one is for the Cajuns...just a little fun place for you in Vienna.
Zuzka and Johnny Z. took me along with their boys Marek and Radko on a hike to "The Unknown". It was a beautiful Sunday and a wonderful way to see the sights from WAY up high
.
´Tis a Gift to be Simple...
from the YAGM handbook:
Participants are expected to embrace a simple lifestyle. Volunteers receive a modest stipend to cover basic living expenses and are discouraged from using their own funds to supplement this income. This simple standard of living is intended to be a spiritual practice as well as a socioeconomic statement, and is understood to be an integral part of the program.
One of the most difficult -and alsoe most thought-provoking - aspects of mz YAGM experience so far has been in approaching the "simple living" philosophy/charge. When I first arrived in Slovakia and was told I would have a food allowance and living stipend of roughly 300 dollars a month, I was more than a little anxious. While back in the USA I may have easily spent 7.50 on an impromptu lunch out. Now, with my food allowances, that total was the equivalent to an entire day"s food budget! This realization - along with my discovery prices are similar to those back in the states - both encouraged me to embrace "living simply" and made me a bit more apprehensive.
What I did not first know was how easy it would be for me to live in this simple manner. Because of the incredible residents of this village and their generositz, I have gone wanting for nothing. At first I was overtaken by their gracious gifts of gime and food. After a month and a half here, though, I am able to come from a new perspective. Instead of having hidden agendas or expectations of "returns" from their generosity, this village is full of people with true servants" hearts. Everyday provides me an opportunity to remember the message Jesus shared in Matthew 25. These beautiful people are the ones who literally and figuratively are giving me food and drink when I am dry; they are the constantly inviting me into their homes and their lives; they are making sure I am clothed - especially with the snow and winter just around the corner; they take of me when my body and spirit are not well. My new family in Hybe does all of this and more for me every single day. And while I am so touched to be the recipient, I also recognize in their hearts the people of Hybe are also doing/giving all this for/to the Son of Man. I hope, hope, hope to be able to continue to learn from their example of living the Gospel.
Below is an excerpt from my journal on September 5th -
Last night around the table, we exchanged scar stories...was an interesting evening. I was happy because they were sharing pretty close and intimate stories about their pasts...and I suppose I was too.
Spent a good amount of time at the hotelique with the Muchals yesterday...gave the dog a bath, stained the wood on the outside of the house, sealed another coat again. I especially enjoyed "painting" with Paja. Shared stories about life in America and Slovakia.
At home we watched Friends -Czech edition- with Zuzka, Paja, and Michael while Paja made a pizza. We all helped chop ham and veggies and she arranged everything. Altogether it was a very fulfilling evening...and perhaps even the very definition of "living simply".
Even though my days here may seem to lack the busy-ness of life back home in the states, but I am basking in every minute I spend with my new family and friends here in Slovakia.
So far, the most important changes I have begun to make are the following steps to simplicity":
Participants are expected to embrace a simple lifestyle. Volunteers receive a modest stipend to cover basic living expenses and are discouraged from using their own funds to supplement this income. This simple standard of living is intended to be a spiritual practice as well as a socioeconomic statement, and is understood to be an integral part of the program.
One of the most difficult -and alsoe most thought-provoking - aspects of mz YAGM experience so far has been in approaching the "simple living" philosophy/charge. When I first arrived in Slovakia and was told I would have a food allowance and living stipend of roughly 300 dollars a month, I was more than a little anxious. While back in the USA I may have easily spent 7.50 on an impromptu lunch out. Now, with my food allowances, that total was the equivalent to an entire day"s food budget! This realization - along with my discovery prices are similar to those back in the states - both encouraged me to embrace "living simply" and made me a bit more apprehensive.
What I did not first know was how easy it would be for me to live in this simple manner. Because of the incredible residents of this village and their generositz, I have gone wanting for nothing. At first I was overtaken by their gracious gifts of gime and food. After a month and a half here, though, I am able to come from a new perspective. Instead of having hidden agendas or expectations of "returns" from their generosity, this village is full of people with true servants" hearts. Everyday provides me an opportunity to remember the message Jesus shared in Matthew 25. These beautiful people are the ones who literally and figuratively are giving me food and drink when I am dry; they are the constantly inviting me into their homes and their lives; they are making sure I am clothed - especially with the snow and winter just around the corner; they take of me when my body and spirit are not well. My new family in Hybe does all of this and more for me every single day. And while I am so touched to be the recipient, I also recognize in their hearts the people of Hybe are also doing/giving all this for/to the Son of Man. I hope, hope, hope to be able to continue to learn from their example of living the Gospel.
Below is an excerpt from my journal on September 5th -
Last night around the table, we exchanged scar stories...was an interesting evening. I was happy because they were sharing pretty close and intimate stories about their pasts...and I suppose I was too.
Spent a good amount of time at the hotelique with the Muchals yesterday...gave the dog a bath, stained the wood on the outside of the house, sealed another coat again. I especially enjoyed "painting" with Paja. Shared stories about life in America and Slovakia.
At home we watched Friends -Czech edition- with Zuzka, Paja, and Michael while Paja made a pizza. We all helped chop ham and veggies and she arranged everything. Altogether it was a very fulfilling evening...and perhaps even the very definition of "living simply".
Even though my days here may seem to lack the busy-ness of life back home in the states, but I am basking in every minute I spend with my new family and friends here in Slovakia.
So far, the most important changes I have begun to make are the following steps to simplicity":
- Recognizing my past as an ingrained shopper. There were weeks back at home when I would be at Target everyday for something/anything...but mostly for nothing that I needed. I am trying to distance myself from that particular part of my past - which is a little easier when the nearest store is a 30 minute bus ride a way!
- Assigning people as my number one priority. Although I would like to think I have always done so, I have had lots of time to reflect on ways I have made others less important in the past. I am working to change these: 1. Putting friends and family on the back-burner and making them wait while I spent an extra 5 minutes here or there on the computer, writing this or that, etc. Really, I believe I thought the world may stop if I did not reply to an email or Facebook post right THEN. 2. Running my errands at the expense of that time with others - I estimate I spent 15 days - 360 hours - out of the last year alone in my car running what I considered crucial errands. 3. Letting the small moments pass by. I want to celebrate each of these seemingly insignificant times: hanging out with the family, name-day and birthday parties, house and garden work, and times with the community.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Fun and Games with the Youth
Just to give you an idea of some of the youth activities here in Hybe:
Here is Spevokol -children"s choir- they sang at an installation service at church this past Sunday.
Janka and Zuzka model with Luther.
At "Saturday School" I led the English version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" after the Slovak version. They are very similar, though not the exact melody.
Lutheridge folks will be happy to know that Capt. Nemo translates well into Slovak, too!
Children"s games at Saturday School
I am impressed that the majority of planning for children and youth activities comes from older youth and college aged students. They set up their own meetings and plan curriculum on a rotating basis. It"s a very organized and impressive system...and these are some very committed young people, too!
Here is Spevokol -children"s choir- they sang at an installation service at church this past Sunday.
Janka and Zuzka model with Luther.
At "Saturday School" I led the English version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" after the Slovak version. They are very similar, though not the exact melody.
Lutheridge folks will be happy to know that Capt. Nemo translates well into Slovak, too!
Children"s games at Saturday School
I am impressed that the majority of planning for children and youth activities comes from older youth and college aged students. They set up their own meetings and plan curriculum on a rotating basis. It"s a very organized and impressive system...and these are some very committed young people, too!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Missionary for a Day October Supporters
Thanks again to everyone keeping me in the their thoughts and prayers.
Nelle Allen, Altman baby, Norma Brunson, Dick & Becky Campbell and family, Joe & Fran Fisher, Fitch family, Rial Fitch, David & Gale Gantt, Sophie Gardner, Norm & Susie Hanf, Arlene Henderson, Mary Jahnsen, Lilly Johnson, Jur family, Julie Kelsch, Betty Kinard, Rick & Myra Maull, Sidney & Lorice McMahon, Dr. Michael Mikola, Rus, Diane, & Josh Miller, Janice, Greg, & Will Pearce, Mary Prickett, Renken family, Bonnie Seabright, Singletary family, Madison Stelljes, Chip Sturgis & family, Rose Tillotson, WELCA, & WELCA Circle 8.
Nelle Allen, Altman baby, Norma Brunson, Dick & Becky Campbell and family, Joe & Fran Fisher, Fitch family, Rial Fitch, David & Gale Gantt, Sophie Gardner, Norm & Susie Hanf, Arlene Henderson, Mary Jahnsen, Lilly Johnson, Jur family, Julie Kelsch, Betty Kinard, Rick & Myra Maull, Sidney & Lorice McMahon, Dr. Michael Mikola, Rus, Diane, & Josh Miller, Janice, Greg, & Will Pearce, Mary Prickett, Renken family, Bonnie Seabright, Singletary family, Madison Stelljes, Chip Sturgis & family, Rose Tillotson, WELCA, & WELCA Circle 8.
Some more pictures from this past weekend...
This weekend in pictures:
Zuzka and I were assigned to "parsley patrol"...I told the family I had never really seen the "business end" of parsley, but had only ever dealt with the green-parts. Oh, it was fun to see their faces when I told them the prices at which parsley greens were sold back home!
In keeping with the tradition of lovely -and filling- Saturday lunches, Mamma Muchalova and Zuzka made perogies -did I spell that correctly?- and it was delicious!
The filling is made from potatoes and Bryndza -"like" but not cheese - it is fantastic!
The filling is spooned out onto dough made from potatoes, flour, and water... and then cut and pressed into individuals..
The servings are cooked in water...when I asked how long, the answer was "Until they float to the top." Kind of like cooking shrimp, huh?!
A picture of the final products...aren"t they talented? Perogies are served with cream and bacon. And it tastes even better than it looks. Oh my!
Zuzka and I were assigned to "parsley patrol"...I told the family I had never really seen the "business end" of parsley, but had only ever dealt with the green-parts. Oh, it was fun to see their faces when I told them the prices at which parsley greens were sold back home!
In keeping with the tradition of lovely -and filling- Saturday lunches, Mamma Muchalova and Zuzka made perogies -did I spell that correctly?- and it was delicious!
The filling is made from potatoes and Bryndza -"like" but not cheese - it is fantastic!
The filling is spooned out onto dough made from potatoes, flour, and water... and then cut and pressed into individuals..
The servings are cooked in water...when I asked how long, the answer was "Until they float to the top." Kind of like cooking shrimp, huh?!
A picture of the final products...aren"t they talented? Perogies are served with cream and bacon. And it tastes even better than it looks. Oh my!
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