What happened to January and February?

I’ve been falling down on the job of posting on our blog.
Sorry.

In January, the Roman Catholic Church San Martin and the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church, here in Martin,
had an ecumenical service one Sunday evening. Last year the service was at the Evanjelika church. This year, the service was held in the Church of San Martin, which was built in the thirteenth century. This year the choir from the Evanjelika Church sang and the Pastors from the Evangelical Church spoke. Members from San Martin read the lessons and the priests spoke.

Emily, Jeannine and Brenda are in the front row. Larry is the tallest man in the back. (Gary is behind the camera.)

It did snow once in January. Jeannine went Žilina to get her VISA. This is a picture of the Roman Catholic Church in Žilina.





The statue is representing the Russians who “liberated” Slovakia from Germany. There are not many of these memorandums left in the country. The date on the statue was 30 IV 1945.




















Then I caught the train to Martin. Unfortunately, I did not get the message that I needed to change trains at the town of Vrutky. I did not realize this until I was east of Vrutky. So I got off the train at the next stop in a town of Kraľovany. It is a very small village. Here in Slovakia, the small villages are very much alive. The trains and buses stop there. Many people that work in larger towns, like Vrutky and Martin, live and renovate the houses in such villages.





The smoke and steam coming from the houses show that these villages are alive. The turquoise house is built next to a building made of logs. You can see the church and parsonage are well-kept. I did catch the next west-bound train and did get to Martin with no problem. We call these unplanned events “adventures.”



Well-kept church

Everything is so beautiful in the snow. It has not snowed enough to stay on the ground since the January snow, and we miss it now.












There were five young women, students from Augustan University in South Dakota, who came to the Elementary School for experience in teaching English to non-English speaking students. Gary and I invited three of them for dinner one week and the other two the next week. On their last night here, they invited all of the Americans at the Center for Christian Education (CCE) and Adrian and Natália Kacian to a potluck dinner. It was through Adrian and Natália that Hannah came last year. She was the one who brought the other four students with her this year.


Here are Carrie, Christine, Liz, Emily, and Hannah with Emily, a teacher at the elementary school.
Emily, on the right, is from Minnesota and this is her second year in Martin.



Gary was having some discomfort with one of his teeth. So Natalia’s brother, Martin, took him to the dentist. The dentist had just has a cancellation, so Gary got to see the dentist that day! The dentist said Gary’s teeth were in good condition and she cleaned them for him. He made an appointment for Jeannine and the first one available was in the middle of April!



One day this past week, Jeannine found every third grader in costume when she was teaching. When asked about the costumes, I found out that there would be a carnival in the school building that afternoon. I wondered about it, being in the middle of the week, but I forgot about it when I returned to our flat. Then a teacher, that Gary tutors, said something about a carnival at the middle school at which she teaches. That school is in another town. So I asked why there were carnivals today.

We learned about fašiang. It is the time of the year between Epiphany (January 6th) and Ash Wednesday. Another person told us it was from Epiphany to February 28th. This is the time to have fun, before Lent. One person told us this was the time for many weddings. We guess it is similar to Marti Gras. Why so many schools had carnivals this day, I cannot tell you. I am mad that I did not go to the carnival of the Evanjelika Elementary School and take pictures. But Katka Valčova did have us come to the preschool where her five year old daughter attends, the Friday before. The children were all dressed in costumes. We missed their little “program” of singing and dancing. But we did get to see them have the treats and play with bubbles and balloons. So this is their fašiang.


















I will end with an “answer to pray” story. In October, Gary and I traveled to Banska Bystitca to spend the weekend with a student Gary taught in 2004. We got to meet Zuzana’s family and we had a great time. We ended the weekend by inviting her and her mother back to Martin to spend the weekend with us some time.

Two weekends ago she came and we had a wonderful time together. The Wednesday before, at our CCE staff breakfast, when we were speaking of prayer requests someone spoke of the need for prayer fir Jozef (the principal of the Elementary School. He had three women who had to stop teaching because of pregnancy. So we prayed about that.

We asked about the grades that Zuzana was teaching. She said she had been teaching first and fourth grade classes. However some of the fourth grade special education students were no longer going to her school. She only had seven or eight first grader students, and next year there would only three first graders. In fact, she did not know if she would have job next year.

We suggested that she apply for the jobs at the Evangelical Elementary School. We got on the web and found the notice for the jobs that had been posted in November. Zuzana applied, was interviewed and got the job! She will be starting March 1st.



Zuzana and Gary in front of the fountain in Banska Bystrica.

Differences

There are several differences in shopping in Martin, from the shopping done in the California. First, we must remember to bring our own bags. The stores do not pack your purchases. Some stores have bags, but they usually charge for them. Most people just bring their own bags. Here you see Gary ready to shop. Jeannine has her backpack also.




When you get to the grocery store, you will find that a Euro is needed to release the basket. At first, we thought “Wow! They’re going to charge us to use their baskets!

Actually, the Euro is just a deposit. For the return of the Euro, you return the basket and use the chain to release the Euro. Low and behold, there are absolutely NO baskets out in the parking lot.



In the produce section, there is a good selection of both fruits and vegetables. The quality is not quite as good as it is in CA, but you can say that about many locations in the U.S. We are just so blessed with fresh, good quality produce in Arroyo Grande. A difference is that you bag your produce, put it on the scales, touch the identification of that item (pictures and words) and the scales gives a tag with the price that is put on the produce bag. It is read by the machine at check-out.



Eggs come in packages of ten, fifteen or a half dozen. Almost all eggs are brown. There is a tremendous selection of different kinds of cheeses, but the chunks that the cheese is sold by are smaller. Soups come in packs of dry soup instead of cans. (I’m thankful for this as I carry the groceries as I walk home.) There are very few items that come in glass or cans.



The Slovaks love their bread. There are so many different kinds to choose from. The majority of the breads are sold by the uncut loaf. Most of their bread is not in a wrapper. The customer uses a plastic glove to make her choice of bread. Then she puts it in a plastic bag.



When you’ve gotten the items on your list, you go to the check-stand. The first thing I noticed at the stand was that all of the checkers were sitting. Actually, they have a choice to stand or to sit, but most of them are sitting. This is in most stores, not just grocery stores.

After the item has been charged, you grab it and put it back in the basket. When you’ve paid, received your change and receipt, you take the basket to a place to put the items in your bags. Then you’re ready to leave, after you return the basket and get back your deposit.



We have been amazed at how many of the people (both men and women) take the babies, toddlers and children out in the square for some fresh air. When they are babies, they ride in a “baby-buggy,” then they graduate to a stroller. Sometimes you see a baby carried, but very few baby-backpacks or front carriers.



When it rains…..


And when it snows…….

Holiday in Italy

On New Year’s Eve, we began in Cita Alta we saw the inside of two beautiful churches. The marble exterior walls, paintings on the ceiling, the gigantic columns, and beautiful carvings of statues just made us oooo and ahhhhhh. The craftsmen and artists put so much into their work, all for the glory of God.



Then we boarded a train for Milan. This is the second largest city in Italy. It is the industrial center of the country. But there are many beautiful masterpieces and works of art here in this town. On New Year’s Day, we found ourselves in the main square of Milan. The majestic gothic cathedral is unbelievable in its size and intricacies of carving.


This picture was taken by a couple that we met on the square. They were from Brazil and love to travel. They were in Italy with their two children, about 8 and 4 years old. We had such a wonderful conversation with these people. God puts wonderful people in our pathways, everywhere we go.


I believe we were told this is the largest gothic cathedral and only the second in size to the cathedral in Vatican City. We were able to go into the cathedral, but it was very dark, so my pictures just do not do it justice. As we were in this masterpiece, there was a mass being said. Anyone could go into that area and participate in the mass. We will probably never get to Rome, but do not believe we could be more moved than we were here.


The next day found us at the Sforza Castello of Milan. This is another gigantic monument. In the picture, you can see how large the front entrance is. Actually, at this distance, I did not get the very top of this tower; I missed the top two levels. Now think of the size of a common brick, about 10” x 4.5” x 3”. That is what this whole castle is made of. On the two front corners of the castello, there are very large, round towers. The courtyard was enormous.


But it is the art found inside this castle that impressed us. This is one of the many painted ceilings found in the living compartments of the nobility. Some of the ceilings were even painted by Michelangelo. There was carved marble, doorways of carved marble, different suits of armor, all made by hand. It is wonderful to be able to see these pieces of art and articles from life in the 13th and 14th centuries.




Then we took a 2 ½ hour train ride to Venice. This is the place, in Italy, that Gary really wanted to see. I thought the canals would be full of dirty, smelly water and could not imagine a city with canals for the streets. I was so wrong, and I am glad Gary suggested that we go here. The water was not smelly or dirty.


There are canals throughout the town of old Venice. The locations that had an entrance from the canal also had a “back door” on a calle (or small road.) We stayed in a wonderful “guesthouse” off the main calle from the train station. When we first turned into the calle, it was no wider than four feet. It gradually widened as we passed by three or four guesthouses (hotels) and three restaurants.


The buildings in Venice had their own style. There were many arches as one would expect in a city in the same country where arches were developed (in Rome.) But the windows often had a type of Arab looking shape. The buildings were many different colors.

The canals had many different types of boats. Some were large motorboats for delivery (a reason for the high prices on everything.) There were larger boats that carried many people and were called “waterbuses.” There were “water taxis,” small private motorboats and the gondolas.



The first sight we explored was the Doge Palace. This is where the head of the government, the Doge, lived and where the legal decisions were made. The outside was mosaic brick of pink and white. The Doge was elected.
The merchants were part of the government. There were two councils, similar to our House of Representatives and Senate. Then there was council comprised of nine or ten people appointed by the Doge. This palace was another work of art, like this marble staircase.



The other magnificent wonder in Venice is the Cathedral of San Marcos. At first, the patron saint of Venice was San Theodore who was credited with killing a dragon. Later, as Alexandria, Egypt was on its downfall, someone from Venice stole the body of San Marcos and took it to Venice. This was to complete a prophecy that supposedly San Marcos was given about him having his final resting place in Venice.

We cannot fully describe the inside of this cathedral. Besides the huge columns, fantastic sculptures, detailed mosaic floors and beautiful altars, the ceilings were a wonder in themselves. They were mosaics of different colored tiles creating pictures of different saints and people of strong faith. We were asked not to take pictures inside the cathedral, so I only have ones that I took outside.



This was taken on the balcony towards the top of the cathedral. The next picture shows a close-up detail of this picture. Each tile was about 1 centimeter square. The ceiling throughout the church was made up of mosaic pictures made of 1 cm square tiles!





This was truly a trip of a lifetime.

St. Nicholas Day and Christmas

St. Nicholas Day is December 6th. The night before, the children left their shoes out, in hopes for goodies to eat (and not coal or a stick.) Many students gave me a treat that day.



It was a school day and Gary was still in the hospital,for tests. So these pictures were taken on the way to and from the hospital where I visited him. On the way there, the square was filled with children and their parents. Joy was on their faces.




There were several people dressed as St. Nicholas (who was a bishop) and they carried bags. They would stop young people and dig into their bag for a small booklet and I believe some other gift. The young lady at the far right of the first picture is in a fourth grade class that I am in twice a week.


On the way back (about 4:30 PM) the square is still filled with people. Most of the time as we walk through the square, mothers and dads are pushing their babies and toddlers in baby buggies or strollers. This evening, the square had several inches of snow covering it. There were many small sleds with toddlers that are being pulled through the square. I almost missed this one with three little ones riding.



The square has been decorated with beautiful lights. There is also a two horse open sleigh, carrying people around for a fun ride. This is St. Nicholas Day.










There are several church services for Christmas. The first was on Christmas Eve at 3:30 PM. I walked in with the choir at 3:15 and wondered if I could get to front of the church where we were to sit. The church was packed. There were two rows of chairs down the aisle, and each was occupied. The side aisles were filled with people who were standing. The balcony was packed. And the two sets of pews at the front of the church on either side of the altar are filled with part of the choir. Many families with young children attend this service.


The second service was almost as packed. It was filled with more of the regular church members. This service also had both singing groups. One difference was that Pastor Jon gave the message for the first service and the second service was Pastor Milan’s message. Although the Gospel reading was the same, each pastor chose a different reading on which to base his sermon.

The American couple who are from Vancouver, WA are in Germany visiting with friends during Christmas week, and Emily flew back to MN for Christmas with her family. This is the second Christmas for these people. We had planned to stay here, in Martin, for Christmas, so we did. We were invited by two families to have Christmas Eve dinner with them. We had dinner with Pastor Milan and his wife Zuzana and family.







After dinner, it was time for presents. Apparently, this is the time that the children get to open their gifts. The girls had gifts for their parents, also. Unfortunately, Gary had been fighting a cold and by this time he had been up, long enough. So we had to leave early. It was a wonderful Christmas Eve.


The next day, Christmas, had an 8:30 and a 10:00 Christmas service at the church. The first was more traditional, with no choir. In the second service, the choir had two different songs to sing. Also, the children in the parish had part of this service with many memorized passages and a couple of songs.


Brrrr, it's cold out here!


The next day was Sunday, and there was only one service. The choir did not sing at this service. There will be a service on New Year’s Eve and one on New Year’s Day, two on Sunday and another on Epiphany, January 6th. The choir will sing at these services.

Yes, Christmas time is a time for worship at the Evanjelica Church in Martin, Slovakia.





Tuesday, 28 of December, 2010, was sunny all day.



Wednesday, it snowed all day. It looks like we received 4 to 5 inches of snow. It is beautiful.

Merry Christmas to all.

Advent Sundays

On the second Sunday in Advent, the emphasis was the young people of the church. Two young women had requested that on this Sunday they be confirmed. The young people around the altar are the witnesses to this event. Later in the service these young adults sang some praise songs, which were appreciated by all in attendance.

Unfortunately, Gary was in the hospital, so he missed the young people Sunday. He also missed some beautiful snow. I took pictures for him to appreciate in his hospital room. (Laptop computers are a wonderful source to have.





Each Sunday the church is decorated a little more. The third Sunday in Advent was the day of the church’s choir’s Koncert. It began at 4:30 in the afternoon. The music was beautiful. Three of the five Americans at the Community for Christian Education (CCE) were in the choir. Jeannine came down with a very bad case of bronchitis and was in the audience with Gary.




The church’s youth choir sang with the adult choir for several songs.













By this time Gary is home from the hospital and is enjoying the sight of the snow in Žilina, where he teaches two classes of Conversational English.














The fourth Sunday in Advent is a very special celebration. The children come in with the Advent lanterns as they have each Advent Sunday. I noticed more “toddlers” with their mothers this time. The same young lady reads about this Advent Sunday as the candles are lit. The painting above the altar has been changed with a picture of the Baby Jesus in a manger.





All of the children go to the altar railing and are blessed by the pastor.
A young girl recites a poem. Then the CCE musical staff member,
Tomás, leads the young people in a couple of songs, complete with hand motions.




After the sermon, Eucharist was served to everyone in the church. This is mentioned because the Eucharist is not part of most services here. If one wants to share the Lord’s Supper, it is done after most people leave the church. Last Sunday, it had been announced that Eucharist would be part of this service.

Usually, the Eucharist is served at the altar railing. This Sunday, there were two stations on the steps below the altar railing. First, the pastor distributing the bread, puts a hand on the one being served the Eucharist and blesses that person with the assurance that their sins are forgiven in the name of Christ Jesus. The bread is served. Next the person moves to another ordained pastor who serves the wine.

The celebration of Advent was so joyous, now we anxiously wait the celebration of birth of Jesus.