Progress Report – 2024 – October

In October, we traditionally celebrate the Reformation. It reminds us of grace as the prominent principle of God’s character. Through this grace we are forgiven and equipped to live a new life. God’s grace is the unifying ground for all people because by grace alone we breathe, move, and live. In these times of political, economic and racial divisions and wars, God’s grace should be the starting point of our journey towards reconciliation and peace. Grace is amazing and grace alone can lead us home.

We experienced this grace-given unity more abundantly in October when visiting you, our partners. Our student pastor Natália Kacianová together with our teacher Michalea Konečná visited Hales Corners Lutheran Church & School in Wisconsin. They participated in their Mission Sunday and visited the school to strengthen our mutual partnership. In addition to our regular mission activities such as J-camp and short teacher exchanges, they discussed various student exchange programs and other projects to enhance our cooperation.

Also, we – Bohdan Hroboň and Adrian Kacian – experienced a gracious welcome from our US partner churches in October. We started in the Chicago area, meeting the representatives of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Naperville, and Grace Lutheran Church and School, River Forest, planning VBS, student and teacher exchanges, and enjoying Sunday worship together. Then we flew to Vancouver, WA, to meet with our brothers and sisters from New Heights Church. More than 80 people came for a Goulash Reunion Dinner where we presented an update on our mission. All the meetings with pastors, staff, and Mission Slovakia team members were very fruitful. In addition to the regular EFL camp, we also discussed a freshmen camp for high school students and various short-term exchange programs.

Then we flew back to Chicago and on our drive to Minnesota we stopped at two partner high schools: Timothy Christian School, Elmhurst, IL, and Martin Luther High School, Greendale, WI. A crew of 24 students and teachers from Timothy Christian will visit our school in January 2025 and participate in various mission projects. The last part of our trip we spent with brothers and sisters from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, MN. Meeting with the lead pastor Mike Carlson and his wife Tammy was as encouraging as always. We also met many friends from the Vision Slovakia team, discussed the May 2025 mission trip, and thanked Professor Paul Berge for his great ministry as the Director of the Vision Slovakia mission. On the way back to Chicago, we had a wonderful Bible study and fellowship with several families from Hales Corners Lutheran Church and School.

Dear friends and partners, all these travels were in accord with Psalm 133:1 “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” This unity was also expressed by a significant donation of $142.000,00 that will cover the expenses for another new classroom. Out of the nine planned, there are five more classrooms to finance, and we kindly ask you for your generosity. We sincerely invite you to come and visit us so you can see the fruits of your mission and support and be encouraged as we were by visiting you.

Yours in His service,