SON is a relational ministry, evident in how we begin our time in country with Sunday morning worship. Our team spent their time worshipping at The Augsburg Confession Lutheran Church (ECAV) in Ružomberok where Daniel and his wife Tatiana pastor together. Many of the participants for the upcoming week join us; translators, teachers, students, and the church members who will walk alongside us for the week. While we come to participate in worship, we also bring our presence and prayers and it can uplift the whole body knowing that we are there to strengthen and support the church’s mission of making Christ known in their community!

Team member Colby Joyner started the service by sharing two songs as a call to worship, followed by a guitar quartet by four classical guitar students. There was a special day planned to recognize the Sunday school students who have attended for the whole year, each receiving a diploma and a special gift. There was also the celebration of the first missionaries who came to Slovakia so many years ago. Worshipping together continues to strengthen the foundation for our missionaries to serve alongside their brothers and sisters in Christ, recognizing the similarities in words and melodies, and celebrating the unique aspects of Slovak Christian traditions. We get a glimpse of the Kingdom when we see God at work in the places He has called us!

Pastor David Michael Carrillo gave the Sunday message based on Romans 8:15-17, that we have been adopted by God to be his sons and daughters and called to be ambassadors. Our time today resonated with the message to reach out to spiritual orphans who’ve yet to hear the good news of new life in Jesus Christ. We are very excited to come alongside the church and work with them in reaching the children with the good news of new life in Jesus Christ. 

The students seemed to share in the excitement that we felt yesterday, evident when all of them came very early to check in. We even started 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. Day one centered on Hope: God’s plan for your life. Through the opening music and skit, the children learned how God had a plan for David’s life when He called him to be the next king of Israel.

Our classes range in age from 6-12 years old. This is a formative time in the lives of these youth, and we are all being formed by what we are immersed in: culture, content, conversations, and what we consume. Much of our teaching today centered on how God looks not on the outside appearance, but what’s inside. In the skit, David’s older brothers are tall, built, skilled in dance, and seemingly perfect to become a king, but all were rejected by God. David, the youngest son of Jesse, had the lowly job of taking care of sheep and was ultimately the one God had intended to be the next king. Our God has greater plans for our lives than we can even begin to imagine!

In crafts the kids made MORSE CODE bracelets, and in sports the kids enjoyed being outside playing with their American sport teacher. In music, the kids are already learning about Hope through songs based on the Psalms.

While this may be the first day, we are already recognizing the connection and relationship that will be poured into through our activities. The kids are somewhat quiet and shy at first, but as the week unfolds they will start to warm up to their American teachers. Our prayer request is that we would get well needed rest, stay in good health, and that the students and translators would be open to hearing the gospel through our English lessons, sports, crafts, and music. We are so grateful for each and every one of you who has been praying for us and has supported us here in Slovakia.

If you would like to support our mission work this Summer, you can still send hope to spiritual orphans who do not yet know their Father in Heaven. You can give here to make Christ known and be a sender 👣