We're off!

June 26, 2008

Today 50 people board an evening flight to Amsterdam to teach Conversational English and Vacation Bible School in Martin, Slovakia.

Commissioning services were held last Sunday at the 8:45, 10:15 and 11:30 Sanctuary worship services at St. Andrew’s. Our partnership with the Bible School and the Lutheran Elementary School has been a significant commitment of St. Andrew’s and partner congregations for over 10 years.

This summer we will be present during the weekend of July 4-6 to celebrate the 10 Anniversary of the Bible School. The theme for the celebration is, “A Decade of Miracles.” Over these years the Bible School has been the history of miracles unfolding as several degree and certificate programs of study have been created for adults preparing to be living witnesses of their faith in congregations, public school class rooms and in communities throughout Slovakia.

As members of St. Andrew’s and partner congregations, you are present with us in the witness that comes through the teaching of Vacation Bible School to approximately 350 children, June 30 to July 4 around the theme, “God in our Lives; God is the Giver of Life.” You are also present in the Conversational English classes from June 30 to July 11 as adult students of the Bible School learn a language that links them to published resources in English and opens up another language in which to communicate the gospel.

Members of the St. Andrew’s Choir under the direction of Jan Gilbertson will sing festival concerts of sacred music throughout the weekend of the 10th Anniversary celebration in Martin, and will travel during the following week, June 7 to 10 to cities in Eastern Slovakia to present several more concerts that celebrate the history and vision of the Bible School.

You are invited during these days from now until July 15 to log on to the St. Andrew’s website and open up a daily blog that will keep you informed as these programs unfold over the next weeks.

The opening anthem for the festival concerts is, “God’s Son has made me Free.” In a nation that for over 40 years lived under political repression, this theme from the Gospel of John, expresses that we have been made free in Christ to live in a restored relationship in God and with our neighbors of many national identities

Thank you for your partnership in prayer for safety of travel and health for all who participate in these programs. Our prayer is that the witness of faith in Christ will be a living testimony that God continues to work in our lives through the gift of his Spirit to bring new life to all God’s children.

Paul Berge
Director of Vision Slovakia.