I'm Home!!!

Hi Everyone!

First and foremost, I need to apologize. I am so sorry that I was not faithful to add more updates toward the end of my time in Slovakia. Things were so busy and so crazy that it was hard to find a spare moment to breathe. So because of my negligence - let me give you a quick run-down of what the last few weeks in Slovakia looked like:

-Packing and moving: The last few weeks consisted primarily of this: packing, moving, organizing, and cleaning. Why? The Hill family (the missionaries that I lived with this summer and the family that runs BERC) is moving to the states, today, actually. Their two youngest children will be starting college next year and Roberta Hill would love to get her masters in education while they are there for two years. Roberta and Jim Hill will be working as the missionaries in residence at Houghton College in upstate New York. Also, BERC needed to be moved to the flat next door because the land lord of the building that BERC was in is moving his family back in. Then, the family that was in the flat where BERC needed to move to, had to move upstairs to the flat where the Hills were living. As you can tell, there was a lot of logistics that had to take place and at times it was really stressful! But everyone of us can attest to the fact that God was our strength and our song the whole time - even when it was tough. And praise God, because it is done!!!

- Going to the Tatras: What are the "Tatras?" you may be asking...because I would have been asking that too :) Well let me tell you - YOU NEED TO GO!!!! Although you may not hear of the Tatra mountains as one of Europe's hot spots - that is the beauty of it! It is not that touristy, but these mountains are so amazing - it is seriously one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to before. The Tatras are a small mountain range in central Slovakia - so the interns, the Hill family, and I took a four hour train ride from Bratislava inland - passing by sunflower fields, castle ruins, and people harvesting grain with cycles, until we reached our little mountain town where our accomidations were. We spent three relaxing days there, hiking, hanging out in the local coffee shop, and shopping. It was heavenly and the perfect break after weeks of hard work and little sleep.

- The debriefing retreat: The last week we were in Slovakia was awesome because all the Bryan interns from around the globe came to Slovakia for a week of summer debriefing in Slovensky Raj (which translated means "Slovak Paradise" :) We rented a lodge there and spent about five days reflecting on our summers, going on walks with each other to hear stories about what God has done, meeting in small groups to discuss readings, and worshiping together. It was a joyous, emotional time for everyone. God has done so much in all our lives this summer, that I think this time was essential to help us start the processing that needs to happen. If you go to Bryan, I encourage you to pull aside some of the missions interns and ask to hear some stories from their summer. God really did do so much that we all just want to share and bless others with telling of his goodness in our lives. Anyway, it was a very peaceful, serene, and necessary time of fellowship with brothers and sisters who have done similar things with their summer.

- Saying goodbye: The hardest part about leaving Slovakia was all the goodbyes we had to say. I left behind some of the most dear people in the world there - people who are sacrificing their all for God's kingdom. I wish all of you could meet the Hills, the Holloways, the Eades, the Meyerdirks, and Heather Eccles. But since probably you never will, suffice it to say that you have some amazing brothers and sisters serving over seas in Slovakia - and God is using them. If you think of them, pray for them. The work there is hard and at times, really discouraging. But because of prayers from saints around the world, the work there is continuing and these misssionaries are staying encouraged to do the work. I hope to see them all again soon.

But...now I'm home. Which is awesome. It really is :) I missed my family so much this summer and I also needed some rest, because like everyone else working at BERC this summer, we pushed pretty hard. But all I can say is that this summer changed me - and in ways I'm not really sure how to express yet. I hope to continue this blog and report on ways that God used this summer to inspire me to live a more missions oriented lifestyle. I hope that you were blessed and encouraged by hearing about my summer through this blog. Thank you, Saints of the Most High God for your prayers and support - they were appreciated more than you know.

Blessings,
Becky