.the same and yet new

challenging. difficult. dynamic. tiring. miraculous. different.

that's what exit tour is like.

this time we went to senec and bernolakovo - small cities close to bratislava.

.the same program

getting up early - very early, schools, teachers, students, moderators, icebreakers, faith child band, lectores and lectures about relationships, std, pornography, drugs, etc., afternoon activities, concert at the end of the week, goodbye party

.and yet new

exit team, dynamics in classrooms, local churches, volunteers, weather, students

.this time with fusion

together with draho, josh and mark we gave a lecture about fusion. one hour and a half filled with games, icebreakers, teambuilding activities, music quiz, interview with the band frontman and singing as well. that was a big challenge - to get singing a bunch of students when some of them didn't want to be there at all. we didn't succeed everywhere but in those classes we did, the atmosphere was so much better!

what an excitement in their eyes that they did something together and actually it was great to listen to!

what a joy in my heart that it's worth doing things together!

.volunteers

without them exit would not happen. they were my role models when it comes to excitement, obedience and discipline. it didn't matter if it was first or last day, their energy was the same. i believe it's because of the good news - gospel they shared with their words and deeds as well. my prayer is that this enshusiasm would continue and they would proudly and joyfully speak about the hope for this and eternal life!

for more pictures click here or read about tour at zuzka's blog

These people came. They participated and won. They overcame their fears. 

They won because of their obedience.

Every year our TCKompas organizes the Conference for Youth Leaders. Although the place and space are still the same, it never gets boring! 

Right by the entrance one could suspect that probably some rescue operation would take place.

The program was very fruitful:

morning and evening main sessions

different music bands/formations

intensive workshops

and celebration as well :-) 

for more pictures click here

Why?

Because Jesus Christ left a message. And we somehow forgot about it. It's more comfortable to think that it was meant for someone else or that other actually don't want to hear about it. But if we really know Christ and his broken heart for lost people, it has to resound in us!

So on Friday, willy-nilly we went out to Zilina and its nearby cities to talk to and ask people what they think about God. Those who went out never came back. Instead of shy and quiet people a crowd of enthusiasts returned. Because it worked! Others were listening! 

We had opportunity to speak to more than a thousand people and share more than 300 x the good news, which is:

God created man, so he could have a relationship with him. He set up a scenario, but we wanted to dictate our own conditions, so we decided to leave. Bible calls this rebellion a sin  (the eternal separation from the relationship with God). Though we tried to make it up (and we still do through good works, different religions, etc.), there was no way back. "For the wages of sin is death..." 

This is when Jesus Christ came. He decided to pay this prize and died for sins - mine and yours. His cross  opened the way for us to have a relationship with God again. "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." If you confess your sins, believe and accept His sacrifice, you wil be saved.

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5: 11-12)

Do you have the Son?

How groceries and a painting can tell you that someone cares

a tough week and not exactly according to my expectations.

many fights in different battle fields and not always a winner. 

tiredness, self-pity, questionmarks. why is this happening to me? 

and then... my dad called. we set up a lunch date with my mom and him. but instead of going to a fancy restaurant, we ended up eating our food from white plastic boxes in his office /among the car parts which he sells/.

this happend for a reason. just few days before i talked to my mom about life, work, and poor condition of my fridge. so, my parents decided to spend their money differently. after this simple lunch, my mom took me to the grocery store and bought everything i needed....literally.

then i went to my friend‘s house. besides other stuff, monika gave me a present /i’ve never got present 2 months after my b-day!/ J she gave me a painting.

this painting:

isn’t it beautiful? she made it by herself /remembering that i love music/.

i was so overwhelmed by these very specific expressions of love.

you, an invisible God used visible men to show me that you care. i was weak, you sent them to strenghten my body and soul.

i still don’t have answers to all my whys. i’m back in the battle field, tired, and yet willing to carry on. thank you