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Ahoj!!
Greetings to all from Vrbovce, Slovakia!
I've updated my pictures! To see them, go here:http://new.photos.yahoo.com/katyaharder/albums/
First, let me thank you all for your overwhelming support during my first two months in Vrbovce. I'm so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for your prayers! They are felt even over the expanse of an ocean! And for those of you that has sent my e-mails or snail mails, know that I savor each word from home! (and usually read it at least 3 times!)
Now I invite you to join me, in this my second newsletter, and let me share with you some of my experiences from this last month. Trust me, there have been many! If you sitting at your desk thinking “I’d love to read this, but it looks so long Katy! I don’t have time right now!” That’s okay, my newsletter is long because I wanted to share as much as I could with you! I just couldn't stop typing! Read what you can or maybe print my document out or save it in your inbox for some late night, bedside reading. I’ve been waiting for weeks to be able to give you a birds eye view of Vrbovce, so let’s begin!
Serving in Slovakia
Stories of a Volunteer in Vrbovce
October 2006
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6
“Katy, how on earth to you pronounce Vrbovce?”
My dear friend Monica brought this question to my attention several weeks ago, here’s the answer: “Vrbovce” is pronounced “ver – boats – ay” with a beautifully rolled “r” at the beginning and a Minnesotan “boats!” in the middle. Start practicing now and I’ll quiz you when I return next July! Now that you can pronounce Vrbovce, let me paint a picture of what life here is like.
Vrbovce, Slovakia
Vrbovce is a small village of about 1,500 and is located in northwestern Slovakia, just a couple of miles away from the Czech Republic. Walking around the village I feel like I’ve stepped through my bedroom closet into a bedtime storybook! (Another Narnia, except no talking animals!) Beautiful rolling hills and lush forests surround the village with the red-roofed houses and small shops nestled in a valley in between. Brisk October winds greet me on my ten minute walk to school each morning. The reds and golds of the trees take my breath away. Vrbovce reminds me a great deal of my beloved Lindsborg. People greet me on the streets with a friendly “Dobre den,” and I respond in turn, the words still tickling my tongue with their “newness.” (I’m forever trying to remember to roll my “r’s”!) The village has several small corner stores, a post office, a small Catholic church and good sized Lutheran church. It also has an elementary school, a small dentist/doctor’s office and three small bars. Much like small towns in America, in Vrbovce, you can walk anywhere you want to go. In the mornings I see old women riding bikes, young children taking the bus to school, men driving tractors out to the fields and young women walking their toddlers to the corner store.
Like many other villages and towns in Slovakia, Vrbovce has its share of social and economic problems. Vrbovce struggles especially with high unemployment rates and alcoholism. More than less likely these two problems are interconnected. Over 20% of Vrbovce’s population is unemployed. On my way to school I occasionally see a man or two wobbling down the streets drinking his breakfast. The people of Vrbovce are very proud of their “Slyvovic,” a type of alcohol made from fermented plums. (Alcohol content = 52%!!) Unfortunately some people, including parents of some of my students, drink too much “slyvovic” and it negatively affects their work, their social life, and their ability to parent.
***An “OOO FUN!” Fact of the Month***
Here in Slovakia a cell phone is referred to as a “mobile.” It’s actually cheaper to text message someone here in Slovakia than it is to call them! The teenagers here text message (or “SMS” as it’s called here) each other all the time! Calling is much more expensive.
Home Sweet Home
I learned in September that I would be living with a host family while my room in the Old School (the church’s renovated multi-purpose building) was being completed. September 23rd, upon my arrival to Vrbovce, I was warmly welcomed into the home of Kristina and Dušan Eliaš. Much
like Abram and Sarai in their travels to a new and different land, I was also given a new name in a new country. My host parents christened me “Katka.”
My host parents are a delightful middle aged couple that work very hard and live life joyfully. Dušan is a “town driver.” Give him a vehicle and he can drive it. I’ve seen him drive anything from a tractor, to a trash truck to a hearse. (He’s promised to teach me to drive an automatic…watch out Vrbovce!)Dušan doesn’t speak English but he‘s a wonderful storyteller and comically describes news stories or new vocab for me when I don’t understand. Kristina is a sweet, dear woman who speaks excellent English and has quickly become a dear friend. I think that Kristina has a hidden identity -- “Wonder Woman,” It’s a wonder how she does everything that she does! At the Lutheran church she is kind of like the church secretary, PMA, treasurer, event coordinator extraordinaire – all rolled into one. (And it’s all volunteering!) At home she works equally as hard and somehow still has time to be my Slovak mom. She was especially gracious the first week I was in Vrbovce when I would follow her around like a curious puppy, asking her “Mozem pomoct?” (Can I help?) when she would feed the rabbits and pigs, hang the laundry, wash the dishes or bake cookies. She’s also my unofficial Slovak teacher and she patiently corrects my verb endings and mispronounced words. One morning I was speaking with her and trying to say “I was tired.” (“Bola som unavena.”) But it came out as “Bola som umyvadlo.” (“I was a kitchen sink!”) Oops! We shared a good laugh over that one. To say the least, living with these two wonderful people, everyday I feel more like a member of the family and less like a stranger.
A Hodge-Podge Job Description:
My job description as a volunteer here at the Lutheran church in Vrbovce is forever revolving and transforming as I discover how my gifts can be used. I love using bullets, and I love checking things off lists,so here is a fruit basket full of things that I’ve done so far in Vrbovce.
ü Work with the Lutheran church youth group.
ü Help Kristina with Australian visas for the Slovak Lutheran Choir.(Written in English)
ü Help to teach English at the village grammar school.
ü Substitute teach for an entire week for the 6th,7th,8th and 9th grade English classes!
ü Help with after school activities at the grammar school. i.e. playing cards w/ kids, playing basketball with teen girls, hopefully more to come!
ü Tutor a high school student in English in a near by town.
ü Smile and nod when people talk to me. (even when I might not understand J)
I’ve had my fair share of challenges this month. To name a few…it’s a challenge to teach kids in English when I can’t explain things in Slovak. It’s a challenge to discipline kids when I’m not sure what they are saying in Slovak. It’s a challenge to lead games and help instigate spiritual growth when the youth don’t speak English and I don’t speak very much Slovak. Are you seeing a trend here? Yep, I am too. It’s that whole “Slovak language” thing. I feel like I’ve done a complete 180. Somehow I’ve gone from capable, creative youth director to….a smiling face that needs help to complete the simplest of tasks. The language barrier has stripped of everything familiar and comfortable. I feel naked without my normal gifts and abilities. But in my vulnerability God has helped me grow. I’m slowly learning the importance of listening and truly understanding what people are saying. I’m now an expert at reading facial expressions. Sometimes all I feel capable of doing is “being” with people. I've reflected a great deal on the words of Mother Teresa this month. "Do small things with great love." How can I share God’s love even through the language barrier? What small things can I do? How can I share great love in small things?
Toto....I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore...
Here are some of the cultural differences I’ve come to notice during October and some well learned lessons to go along with them.
¨ ...Because I leave my shoes at the door. I quickly learned that here in Vrbovce it’s custom to take off your “outdoor” shoes before entering someone’s home. Once shedding your outdoor pair you are given an indoor pair of slippers – “prezuvky” to wear while in the house. “Why?” I asked myself. The answer I think is twofold: first, to help keep the floors and carpets clean, and second to help keep your feet warm, especially in the cold Slovak winters. Usually I remember to switch footwear, but sometimes forget and walk around in my socks, so the first few days I was in Vrbovce I would sometimes walk into Krisina’s kitchen and be greeted with a sudden “Katka! your feet!” and was ushered quickly away to find a pair of “prezuvky.”
Lesson #1: Throw fashion out the window – BUY SLIP-ONS.
¨ ...Because “running for FUN” is a foreign concept. On my afternoon jogs around the village I will get strange looks and a whispered comment or two as I zoom by and give a quick “Dobre den!” It’s funny to listen to people talk about me as though I don’t understand, when I really do. One old lady said to her friend “I don’t know why she does it, but she it running every day!” I’m pretty sure even the ducks and goats that I pass by look at me and think “Why is that crazy American running?!”
Lesson #2: Run unashamedly. Christ loves even the goofy runners.
¨ ...Because fruit tea is my new best friend. Carbonated water, green tea, coffee, beer, wine, or “slyvovic.” The beverages here in Slovakia are slightly different than in America and my beloved tap water isn’t easily found. And although I miss the taste of a long, cold drink of tap water or Aquafina, I’ve fallen in love with fruit flavored hot tea! (For those of you who know me well, it’s my new diet coke!) I associate the taste with long visits from neighbors and conversations filled with laughter and tears. I admire Slovaks for dropping everything for a spur of the moment visitor.
Lesson #3: Conversations should last longer than my fruit tea. J
¨ Because schedules are meant to be altered. If you’ve ever worked with me at church or at camp you know that I’m a person that thrives on schedules and checklists. Well, in Vrbovce the people here thrive on random visits, last-minute schedule changes, and spur of the moment events. Take a step into my thoughts…”Oh, I’ll be teaching all your classes tomorrow?” “What’s that? you want me to present today on Columbus Day with no prep time?” No, I haven’t flipped my lid yet, although I have had to take some deep breaths and give myself pep talks. I’m learning to expect the unexpected. I take a deep breath, send a quick prayer up, and “just do it.”
Lesson #4: Be flexible, wear a smile, try my best.
Slovak 101: Lesson #2 for Family and Friends
- “Thank you” – “Ïakujem” (pronounced “djack-we-em”)
- “Your Welcome” - “Prosim” (pronounced “pro-seem,” this word doubles as “please” and “your welcome.”)
- “May I have some icecream?” “Prosim si zmrzlina?” (Icecream is one of the most fun words I’ve encountered so far, but difficult to describe. “Pro-seem see zmerr- zleena?”
- “Do you have a key?”- “Maš klúè?” (pronounced “mahsh klooch?”) This phrase never seems to escape me no matter what country I’m in! I’ve been known on occasion back home to misplace my keys a time or two....yes, it’s true. Here at the Elias home as I dash out the door in the mornings Kristina or Dusan will ask this quick phrase, (wink) just to make sure.
- “I don’t understand.” “Nerozumium” (pronounced “narrow- zoom- ee- uhm”) One of my most commonly used phrases the first week! I’m gradually using it less and less as time goes on.
**Coming next month!**
The imperative tense(“Wait!), Weather words, and “Can I help?”
God-sitings
Humbleness. Grace. Courage. This month I’ve learned what it means to be completely humbled, to depend on other people for everything. I’ve been humbled, I’ve failed, I’ve been made weak and vulnerable. But, Christ has overcome death and the grave, and in his risen promise I’ve been raised up. When I’m humbled, Christ lifts me up. When I’m weak, God is strong. With every mistake I’ve made I’ve marveled at how people here are quick to forgive and help build me up. God’s grace shines brightly through the people of Vrbovce. And in that grace I’ve been able to find courage. Courage to grow, courage to learn, and courage to "be" with the people where they are.
Humbleness, Grace, Courage.
May God bless you with this gifts.
A humble servant of Christ,
Katka
Aka Katy
To learn more about the YAGM Program through the ELCA click here : http://www.elca.org/globalserve/youngadults/index
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