When Fusion fills its purpose

God. Music. Fun. Exhaustion. Interest. Frustration. Joy. Improvisation. Drama. Fight. Friendships. Workshops. Concerts.  Laughter. Cry. Prayers. Food. Team. Place. Time. Community.

Terry English (the leader of Fusion Europe) promised us that the first year is going to be veeery interesting. We would experience different kinds of emotions. He was right. And although it was very demanding, it was worth it!

Reading the feedback from our students made me very thankful. Thankful for this tool which God uses for his glory! I want you to be encouraged as well, so here are some of those statements (of course with the students'permission)

"I improved playing the piano and got many new friends. I've learned more about God's grace. I think I became more open with others. I love our songs and that I play in the band. I feel safe here and I can laugh or be weird and people still like me."

"It's a therapy, one afterroon which gives me a positive energy for the rest of the week. It's a good influence, I do less stupid things, I behave better. I've learned to communicate with people...which is a problem for me. I gained self confidence. I improved my music skills. I have new friends and I found out that not all believers are fanatics or double/faced but they are good people who can support you and treat themselves as a family."

"A place where I have a lot of friends who always cheer me up. I meet new people with their life stories. God teaches me how to evangelize. I've learned to understand people more."

"Everytime I'm at Fusion I notice a change in my behavior. I have a bigger respect towards others."

"It's a new family. I was surprised by frankness of  these people. You are not only singing, but also talking, having fun, games. I was afraid of new people, but Fusion convinced me about the opposite. I'm thankful that I can be here with you."

"A beeter relationship with God. I got new friends. I learned to be more kind to people and look at others from different perspective. I try to find the good in people. Fusion is a second family for me. They cook well in here :-) I improved my singing."

When Fusion goes to school....

Sunday means church.

Tuesday means Fusion.

And Fusion means

rehearsal, community, fun

Like the other week. We got the opportunity to perform at one school which is nearby our place. We met in the morning, took our instruments and other equipment to the gym and waited for the students. 

This time it wasn't only a concert but we wanted to show them what it looks like at our weekly rehearsals. So besides singing we had a short devotional, broke the ice with an icebreaker and of course...we invited them to Fusion!

       

         

 

What a joy when two new girls showed up!

Our students could see  the result of their work.

Doing concerts is such a great thing! It's hard to explain, but the whole thing - the preparation, concert itself and joy that comes after - all of this just brings us closer to each other. I do believe that this is one of the reasons why these two girls came back this week and brought another friend as well!

Meet chic grandmas

Travelling around Bratislava today was so much fun!

While I was waiting at the bus stop, an old lady (over 60 years old) passed by.  Two crutches in her hands were a clear evidence of her problems with walking. But what caught my eye was her haircut! A short bob with pink highlights in blond hair. Something like this: 

Impressive!

Only few minutes later I saw a 50+ years old woman riding a  scooter.

Delightful!

I started to imagine myself at their age. Am I going to be a rockstar with pink hair or an Olympian on a scooter? I don't think so, but these ladies set up an example - the importance of an active lifestyle.

And when you mix the care of exterior with the inner beauty,

that combination becomes contagious!

All of this made me thinking about one woman in my life.

Ketty Conrad.

She has been my mentor during my studies in Denmark.

A creative soul, always chic and with smile on her face. It was fascinating to observe her interaction with other people. When you talk to her, she makes you feel that you are the only one in the world, you are important! She knows what it means to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. I love the sparkle in her eyes when she talks about Christ! It's so real and sincere. 

"She is really serious about the whole God thing!"

Her life experiences made her even more beautiful.

She is gentle.

Her strenght consist in her way of loving.

I don't wanna be her clone. But it is my desire that when people think of me in the future, they would think about the same thing that comes to my mind when I remember Ketty:

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. 

The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. 

(Proverbs 31:30)

where young people are, there is energy

What a weekend!

More than 60 youth members around Slovakia met in Zilina for a training - preparation for the KECY camps. 

/KECY is our English camp ministry organized in the cooperation with the local churches-youth groups/

Though I'm more involved with Fusion ministry, I was there...supporting our TCK team and re:conneting with people.

It has been great because:

- every year we have new leaders coming which is a sign of a good multiplication and it never gets boring

- of the precious felowship / where young people are, there is energy, vision, enthusiasm and life! People were actively participating, exchanged ideas / know-hows, encouraged each others through personal talks or prayers

- we could realize the bigger picture / there are 11 different groups involved in the same vision and mission this summer 

- and I spent some extra time with Janka /a blond girl in a first row, fourth from the left/! 

When I was thinking about the summer and all activities I'm involved in I relized I need help. I started to pray and look for a person who would be with me in the whole preparation process of Fusion camp, who would learn and take everything even further! And along came Janka. She has been there from the very beginning of Fusion in Bratislava. She is a wise young woman who is passionate about God's love for her and others.  And probably because of this she said yes and became a co-leader of this year's camp. 

I like that we are so different. Her perception of things, approach and ideas inspire me and I truly hope that this cooperation will be benefitial for the whole team/camp!

.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