"...to the ends of the earth."

Sometimes God calls us to things and we wonder why? how come? what for? when? why me?......

This week God has been convicting me in a lot of things...one thing I often ask God is why me? Why Slovakia? What is your purpose for me God???? I found out this week that my grandpa is in the ICU and has suffered from a heart attack...he told the nurse that he was afraid of death. Needless to say, all these questions have been even stronger...being away from home is a hopeless feeling. I spent some time reading the Bible last night and praying for my grandpa, and God lead me to Acts 1:8,

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

God is so good!!! It is so clear that he has sent me hear for a reason and purpose (to the ends of the earth; Slovakia), which does not mean it makes things easier at home but to know that God is in control and planned this move from the beginning and that makes it even more clear how OMNICIENT he is!
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating (aka...begging or pleading) THROUGH us."
2 Cor. 5:20
WOW! He PLEADS THROUGH us... that is amazing how God chooses us to work through...
I met an 18 year old girl today who has had a rough life. Her name is Tina (she is a Slovak from Presov), 12 years ago her father passed away, and 3 years ago her mom was diagnosed with brain cancer... she has an older sister and one younger sister. 3 years ago, her mom passed away and then her older sister took her younger sister and moved to Germany to make more money. Tina did not go because she is still in high school and had to finish here...so now that leaves her living as an ophan in her mother's flat by herself with the government giving her money (barely enough to live off of). How humbling?! This is a small example of some of the kids here in Slovakia.

I have got to know several kids this week and have had a chance to hang out with them and get to know their feelings on Americans and getting to know a little bit more about them and their culture. What a neat group of people. They are so kind...it is amazing watching these kids work together and the love they have for each other. If one has a candy bar or a drink, I have watched them pass it around to everyone around them to take a bite before they even take their first bite...do you think you would see an American kid do that?? NO WAY!!! I have learned a lot of it is from their background of the communsium that they suffered. They waited in lines, lived off of eggs, bread and milk and if they wanted anything other than that, they had to PERSONALLY know a grocery store owner...WOW!!! I am so thankful that God is working on my heart here and that I am experiencing this lifestyle.

I think my mind is so full right now with all God is showing me and what he is teaching me...please be praying for the kids here and that they will open their hearts and be willing to hang out with us (the Americans). Also for my grandfather and that his pain will no longer be and that he will be up and walking and that God will give him peace with his struggles and fears right now, and for me...that God will continue to teach me and that I will be at peace with my NEW life here and help me to cope with the emotions on what is going on at home.

GOD IS SO GOOD

okay it is 1am and I just found out that my luggage is HERE in Kosice!!! Yeah! They wanted to deliver it at 3am but we said no way. So they are coming at 8am! WONDERFUL!!! Just in time for camp! Like I said, God is a last minute man.

Dobru noc (good night)

Welcome to Slovakia Lee Ann!

YEAH!!!!! I finally made it to Slovakia.

Prešov is beautiful! After 20 hours of flying I arrived...WITHOUT my luggage!!!
"Welcome to Slovakia, Lee Ann"

Oh, well - when I first got to the airport my flights got switched around then they cancelled my first flight out of Atlanta...humm, I should have known from then I was going to have some problems...lol, well I got here and my luggage did not, so right now I am in the same clothes I put on Friday morning and my new roomie, Amy, had lent me some clothes as well. I went to the local TESCO, kind of like our Wal Mart, and bought some neccesities. Hopefully my luggage will get here soon. My first two days here have been quite an experience but also a good transition.

My apartment is great! Very comfortable. Although as many of you know, I am directionally challenged, so it has been fun trying to find my way around. Life here is VERY different. I have been doing a lot of walking and taking the bus....it has been a fun experience so far.
God has totally prepared my heart for this as well as my surroundings...I feel very comfortable here and have an extreme peace about it!
It is really humbling to watch God work in other countries - after getting here Mike and Amy showed me around Presov. What a beautiful city. Then they took me to this grave site (sounds weird, I know) but if you lived here you would understand why...and this old lady approached us and asked for help to her husbands grave. So we helped her b/c she had a cane for each arm and a bouquet of flowers. When we got to his grave we shared stories (in Slovak, of course - and I did not understand any of it) and helped her clean off the grave and make it look nice. WOW! God is so cool! What an interesting lady filled with so much histroy. Then Sunday I went to church this morning in a small village called Kukova and met all the students I will be working with. What a beautiful village. It was funny, one of the kids asked me if I had ever seen a cow or a pig?? I laughed and said of course, they are just not in my back yard (their's are)...I think they had this image of me coming from the BIG city and not knowing anything about the country. It was cute. ** Kind of like Crocidile Dundee in Manhattan but reversed... :)
It is really cool to see God moving in other countries. I know he is EVERYWHERE but to be here and watch these people have a passion for and worship the same God we do is so humbling. I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for this place!

Sorry for not blogging in a while but things were hectic...I am hoping to stay on top of this as much as possible and am working on my webpage this week. I just got the program running so I will post it on here when I am done.

Tomorrow morning we are leaving for Zilina, 3 hours trian ride, to go to a JV (Josiah Venture) intern training. I will be there for a week!

Will update soon -

Love you all!

Brave Beginnings

Where is my balance for this new tightrope?
I've stepped away from childhood to walk without a net -
teetering on tiptoe, determined to cross above the ordinary world
to my own.

Where is my balance for this high-wire act?
I'm caught in the middle taking one step at a time -
risking my soul, determined not to fall,
as my audience waits breathless.

Where is my balance for this aerial ballet?
I stretch out my hands -
holding faith tight, trusting God will guide me,
determined to leap onto the platform courage made.


- Celia Straus

"I need another box and some packing tape!"

Lately I have been trying to pack and have been going through what I am leaving and what I am taking, and what I am GETTING RID OF...decisions, decisions. I did not realize I had so much stuff...I found a system that works really well when cleaning out/getting rid of personal belongings...I am "lending" my stuff out to my friends with the requirement that they "forget" to return it! :) So far it has been working really well. As you can see from this picutre, I have a lot to get rid of and sort through. AHHHHHHHHHHH what a mess!!

I think there is a floor under here...?