Martin | Slovakia | November | 2022
PROGRESS REPORT
Dear Friends and Partners,
Reading these words of Isaiah, we think first and foremost of the people in Ukraine who are experiencing darkness of all kinds. Daily blackouts caused by Russian terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure are visible demonstrations of the darkness in minds and hearts of Kremlin establishment. Yet, all these and other blackouts will be ultimately defeated because Jesus, the light from above, has come. He, the true light, is shining in the darkness and the darkness does not have the capacity to overcome it (John 1:5). This is the core of the Christmas message that brings hope to all of us who fight the darkness. Our battle is not in vain, because God is with us and He will be victorious!
Helping Ukrainian refugees, who live in the city of Martin and its vicinity, is one of the constant ways CCE spreads the light in the midst of the darkness. The Community Center for Ukrainians in Martin organized a benefit dinner for refugees in our cafeteria for all its supporters and sponsors. People and organizations were encouraged by a very successful ministry of the Community Center and expressed their willingness to continue their support. Along with your generous contributions, CCE has become one of the leading organizations in providing the help for Ukrainian families. We are determined to do this important ministry as long as needed.
Education is another way to fight the darkness. In addition to regular curriculum-based instruction in November, our school organized the so-called Night of the Foreign Languages. With the help of the language teachers, our high schoolers presented the languages and the cultures of the countries they study, including national dances and typical cuisines. Parents, students, and teachers could for example taste French cheeses, Russian pancakes, Spanish churros, American hotdogs, and German hams. The presentation included reading parts of literature, various quizzes, and insights into specifics of these cultures.
Jesus as the light of the world (John 8:12) was the theme of our November Family Worship Service in the Martin congregation. Our elementary-school students and the children church choir taught the congregation the song Thy word is a Lamp unto my Feet. We are so thankful that after Covid pandemic we could restore Family Worship Services, so the school and the congregation can worship together and whole families are brought to the presence of God’s word.
Dear friends and partners, let Jesus shine in our hearts and faces this Christmas so the darkness has no power over us. May every day of 2023 be Christmas!
Yours in His service,
Adrian Kacian, Director of Development Bohdan Hroboň, president of CCE
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If you want to use the CCE contacts to help Ukraine, donate money as usual with the memo “Ukraine”. We will keep you informed how the money is used. |
| Ways to GIVE | Make your tax-deductible gift in one of these ways: | ||
| Vision Slovakia |
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church |
New Heights Foundation |
| Paul Berge, Director St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 (651)-762-9143 pberge@saintandrews.org || DONATE NOW || |
Kathy Clolinger, 815 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540 (+1)630-281-4226, accounting@oursaviours.com |
Mark Johnson, Board Member 7913 NE 58th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98665 360-606-7505, mjohnson@traxxcorp.com |
| Through Your Home Church If your church is a partner of the Center for Christian Education, make a donation noting “CCE” in the memo line of your check. Your church’s business office will include your contribution along with its regular support. |
