Progress Report – 2023 – Summer

We all know that God’s love has no limits or borders. It is stellar indeed in its quality and scope. Such was not only our VBS theme but also our experience this summer. It was highlighted by the celebration of 25th anniversary of the Bible School and 20th anniversary of the Lutheran Academy of Martin Slovakia (LAMS) on June 28. The celebration started with a worship service in the Martin Ice Hockey Arena. Over 1200 students, parents, and guests participated thanking God for His stellar care. During the worship we experienced God’s presence through the Word, sermon, music, drama skit, and prayers. It was spectacular as one of the parents said and everyone was happy to be there. If you missed it, here is the link. After a refreshment break a 45-minute documentary film capturing the spirit of the Bible school and LAMS was presented. Immerse yourself in it so you can be inspired by God’s providence in the story of the Bible school and LAMS!

Our summer began as usual with a J-camp the week of June 26-30. Under the leadership of Paul and Pat Wickerts, a group of 14 people from the Hales Corner Lutheran Church, Hales Corner, WI, together with our teachers ran various activities for over hundred 7th and 8th graders. They included Bible stories, sports, science, and crafts. Our students improved their English conversational skills and enlarged their English vocabulary. Reciprocally our students prepared a conference in English for their American teachers informing them about the city of Martin and inviting them to taste our regional cuisine. We had a great time sharing our faith and knowledge with our American friends.

The next mission activity was VBS taking place July 10-14. We were glad to have 120 children and 33 teenage volunteers serving in various positions. Our traditional partner from Grace Lutheran Church River Forest, IL, sent 23 missionaries led by the senior pastor David Lyle and the youth and children ministry coordinator Julie Modrich. The program and the experiences were stellar as was the theme of this year VBS: God and His Love is Stellar Beyond All Measures. We were extra thankful for 12 Ukrainian children who attended the VBS together with two Ukrainian teachers.

Our summer mission continued with two weeks of English language courses (ESL) in July 10-21 that were taught by 36 members of the New Heights Church, Vancouver, WA. Shelly Johnson, the director of the Serving Slovakia Mission brought again a very skillful and enthusiastic team that served over 200 Slovak and Ukrainian teenagers and adults. They not only helped the participants to improve English conversational skills but also shared their personal faith stories with them. In addition to the above-mentioned activities, CCE also supported three summer camps for Ukrainian children in the area of Martin. Altogether more than 40 Ukrainian children attended these camps and had a great time together.

Dear friends and partners, God’s love is stellar and can overcome our limitations, fears, and troubles. Relying on this love we can plan and look forward to the coming 2023-24 school year. We also know that we can rely on your support and prayer. Thank you for being our faithful partners demonstrating God’s stellar love to us along with the people of Slovakia and Ukraine.

Yours in Christ,