Have you ever noticed something unexpected and new in the midst of familiar surroundings? A few days ago I was walking in an area of town I usually only drive through. The walk gave me a chance to notice some things I hadn’t seen before – a coffee shop, a repaved road, a little statue... Continue Reading →
We love hosting people in our home. It is fun to have parties or get-togethers and enjoy laughing, playing games, and just becoming “beloved community” together. This year, I (Tanya) have set out to learn more about hospitality, both practically and spiritually. What does it mean to practice hospitality? What does it mean to have... Continue Reading →
Do you remember getting Valentine’s Day cards? When I was young – and when our girls were still in U.S. schools – you brought a Valentine card for everyone in your class. A little box would come with 10-12 small cards, and they usually had some kind of cartoon character, a bad pun, and maybe... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago, on a sunny fall afternoon, I found myself in the middle of a grassy field on the outskirts of Kosice. I wasn’t alone – I was surrounded by hundreds of children and parents, all in various stages of flying kites. Excitement was in the air, even if most of the... Continue Reading →
Note: This week marks four years since we first moved to Slovakia! Jon's earlier posts, along with this post by Tanya, are some of our reflections on the things we've learned and experienced along the way. Because we believe that the foundation to a healthy ministry and a healthy family is a healthy marriage, Jon... Continue Reading →
From previous post: Since we've moved here to Slovakia, we've had many conversations and read many books about poverty, and we've come to realize that we need to rethink what we mean when we say the word "poor." It's true that in the U.S. we have a lot more stuff. But I'm not so sure... Continue Reading →
During a recent team visit, we went to a village to help a local non-profit making heating bricks from recycled paper. While we were working, I (Jon) had an extended conversation with one of our Roma friends who was working alongside us. We were talking about a local housing project for Roma, and I mentioned... Continue Reading →
The past couple of years I've enjoyed writing some "Spotting Jesus" posts during the Advent season. After all, Advent is about waiting for and expecting Jesus' arrival - not just the first time (Bethlehem) or the last time (Second Coming), but THIS time. Right now, right here. I'll do a few more of these over... Continue Reading →
These days, courage is one of the things that most impresses me – maybe because it’s the thing I feel I most need in life right now. I’ve been listening to Brene Brown’s books, and she has a lot to say about courage and courageous moments – those moments we decide to risk ourselves and... Continue Reading →
Some people are bridge people. This summer when we were speaking in churches, we talked about our friend Jerry (name changed). Jerry is a bridge person. Jerry is a social worker in a small primarily Roma village. He is Roma, but he had Slovak friends and he works to try to help his own Roma... Continue Reading →
