Mid-Term Reflections
Working on an EU grant for combatting stereotypes against people with disabilities in Slovakia
Time both leaps and crawls in Slovakia. Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Velky Slavkov for a mid-term seminar, and it was difficult for me to realize that I have lived in another country for six months now. Challenges have abounded, but I feel that I have reached a point where they are no longer quite so distressing. Because time operates a bit differently here, I have counted the days in used contact lenses, toothbrushes, rolls of toilet paper, shampoo bottles and major holidays. In my day-to-day activities, it seems like I have accomplished little. However, when I look at the progress of my language skills, English classes, relationships in the village and with other friends, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that God would provide so abundantly. The painful first steps of creating community, building relationships, and learning a language have allowed me to begin more adventurous projects, like helping with an Easter musical, Sunday school programming, and adult English classes.
Kaija and Rebecca learn about human relations
Velky Slavkov is a village near Poprad in the High Tatra mountains, and the Slovak Lutheran Church has a Christian retreat center there where my friend and fellow YAGM volunteer Kaija Swisher works. The three of us YAGM volunteers, our two German girls, our country coordinator Daniela, and 9 other European Volunteers from Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and France met at this center for a week of processing, counseling each other, planning, and relaxation. We were blessed with snow (something that’s been scarce this winter) for a majestic mountain background. I enjoyed learning about other projects in the Czech Republic and Poland and realized that Slovak comes in handy for understanding Czech and Polish! I also came back to Obisovce rejuvenated for the next six months!