My Title at BERC

Hey lovely friends and family!

Thank you so much for all the encouraging emails and comments. It is so nice to know that I am surrounded by the love and support of those I care about. It means more than you know :)

Anyway, as I was mowing the lawn here at the school yesterday (yes...mowing, for the first time!) I was thinking about what I should write in my blog about my first week here - and I thought I should give ya'll an official "title" of my position here - so here it goes:

History and math teacher/mentor/dishwasher/encourager/lawn mower and rose trimmer

There you have it! My job here is really a mish mash of things right now - but I absolutley LOVE IT! The school year is coming to a close - they only have a week and a half left, so Roberta Hill, the principle of BERC, is fitting Britt and I in wherever she can. I have been able to teach history (a subject I LOVE) to three teenagers, who are so enthusiastic. I have also taught math to a special needs boy, named Matthew. His parents are with Campus Crusade for Christ working here in Slovakia with college students. Unfortunatley, they have to leave and go back to the states to care for Matthew's growing needs. He only has ADHD, but it is really hard to get meds here for it and suitable education. I have come to realize that BERC's role here in Bratislava is SO crucial. If missionary families come to a new city, but there are no education options for their children, they are forced to either pack up and leave, or send their children off to boarding school - a tough choice for parents. Because of the sparse and expensive education options here in Bratislava for foriegn students, many missionaries have had to leave. After finding this out - I am so passionate about the need for missionary teachers! Without them, missionary families are forced off the mission field so that their kids are educated properly.

Once the school year ends, the team and I will dive right into working on starting an English camp for the summer, and possibly a sports camp for neighborhood kids. We will also be helping the Hill family (the founders of BERC) pack up as they are heading to the states for a couple of years to get their twins settled in college before coming back to Slovakia. Many other things will take place this summer, but that is the main gist.

Alright - I should stop writing now! :) I have so much I could share, but for time sake (and the fact I have to go prepare a history lesson!) I will close here. But thank you all for diligently praying and encouraging!

Here are some prayer requests:

-The boys (Evan, Tyler, and Eric) from Bryan arrived today! YAY! Pray that they are able to get GOOD sleep tonight and adjust the time difference quickly.

-Pray for BERC. The Hills are in the process of trying to get teachers lined up for the fall, and also gind and it is proving to be difficult - pray that God provides for all the schools needs.

-Pray that our ministry continues to be effective as we transition from the school year to the summer - I am so excited!

Alrighty - gotta go! Duty calls :) You are in my prayers!

Ciao!

I'm Here!

Hey Everyone!
Well, I'm finally here in Slovakia! After about 15 + hours of traveling, it feels good to be on solid ground :)
Today is actually my second day here at BERC (Bratislava Educational Resource Center) and so far, I've taken a class in Slovak, taught a history lesson, and done P.E. with the kids here - a.k.a, basketball at a nearby park (I'm pretty much learning right along with the kids!). I'm still recovering from jet lag, which I found out yesterday IS A REAL THING!!! I feel so guilty about ever acting nonchalant to someone who has jet lag. It's really terrible! Everything inside of you is crying out for sleep, and you just have to ignore it...so yesterday all kind of seems like a dream! But today, I've been able to be more alert and involved. I absolutely LOVE the kids here - they are so welcoming and kind. I even got invited to a birthday party today! They seem genuinely excited to have Brittany and I here. It is very interesting to have a peek into the life of missionary kids. They have so much grit! Many of them have lived in several different places during their lifetime, and yet they are able to pick up and move with their parents at the drop of a hat. I admire them so much.
As for Europe...it's pretty much like how I imagined it - BEAUTIFUL! As we were driving from Vienna to Bratislava (about a forty-five minute journey) I saw castle ruins, canon balls from Napoleon's troops embedded in city walls, quant pubs and cafes, may poles, and even a Catholic ceremony where Austrian men were wearing tights and vests and big hats with feathers in them, playing trumpets and horns :) It all seemed like a dream, or like it was out of a story book!
Here in Bratislava, it is lovely. BERC is in a beautiful neighborhood lined with wrought iron fences and rose bushes. The building itself is four stories high with apartments in the top and bottom. Brittany and I are in the basement apartment with a big comfy bed and a great sitting room/library right outside our door. The Hill family (our wonderful missionary hosts) are right next door.

Prayer Requests:
- PRAISE that we got over here safely! Thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers - it was truly a wonderfully smooth trip over.
- Pray that Brit and I adjust to the time difference (nine hours for me, six hours for Brit), it's a bigger deal than we thought! We want to be totally energized to serve here, so just pray for adequate rest and energy to do the tasks we are called to.
-Pray for safety for the boys (Tyler, Evan, and Eric) who are coming her on the 27th. Pray for strength as they get over jet lag
-Generally, pray for Brit and I as we adjust to living in a foreign country. It is a lot to take in - and overwhelming at times!

Thank you all so much!
Love in Christ,
Becky

Welcome!

Hey ya'll! Thanks for visiting my Slovakia blog. I'm excited that I can keep ya'll updated on what is going on across "the pond" while I'm there so that when I get back, you won't have to be subjected to a two-hour long de-briefing and slide show :)
Well right now, I'm still enjoying the company of my family in sunny southern California and trying to recuperate from finals week. Also, I find myself making list after list of what I need to remember and things I need to do before I leave in a week.
For those of you who have no idea why I'm going to Slovakia or what I will be doing there, here is a brief rundown:
-I will be working with missionary kids ~ mentoring them, hanging out with them, and ministering to their needs as they try to learn where they fit in a culture that they are not used to
-I will be serving at BERC (Bratislava Educational Resource Center) in whatever way I am needed
-I will be living in a home with the Hill family - the missionaries that started BERC

I'm sure I will be doing many other things that I am not aware of yet - but part of the experience is not knowing everything. I'm excited to get out of my comfort zone.

Prayer requests:
-Pray for safe travel from Los Angeles all the way to Bratislava, Slovakia
-Pray that the Holy Spirit (also called the Holy Reminder in scripture) would remind me of things I need to bring
-Pray for the whole Slovakia team: Tyler Gay, Evan Wiley, Brittany Rodriguez, Eric McEachron, and me as we prepare, pack, and spend quality time with our families before we leave

Thanks!