Slovakia Update

Wednesday in Kosice:
We arrived here yesterday afternoon by plane—a nice 35 minute flight on Sky Europe from Bratislava. As we waited to pick up our luggage Lukas informed me that the guy standing next to me what the most famous rock star in Slovakia. In fact, the whole band was standing there. So, it looks like we were on the right flight since the big celebrities chose it too. Kosice is in a beautiful area of the country with mountains all around.

We were picked up by Pastor Jon, pastor of the largest church in the country where we will be holding the training sessions. The church is about 800 people and the city gave them the property to build as an apology for the way they were treated during the Communist era. They have built a beautiful 900 seat auditorium which is nearly full.

We spent the night in a nice little inn at the city center called the Horse Inn, named after a sculpture in the courtyard out front that was given to the city by one of the universities. We went out for pizza with Pastor Jon and Miro, his worship leader and son-in-law. Miro is my translator for the sessions in Kosice. Afterwards we had a nice walk through this beautiful city.

After sleeping soundly, I woke up at 5:30 and enjoyed some time in the Word and a Slovakian breakfast of yogurt mixed with cereal. Then, we were picked up by Lupo and Dasha and headed off for a day of Equip leadership training.

And what a day it was…these people are so hungry for encouragement and training. It was amazing. They don’t want to stop for breaks, they fill the air with great questions, they connect with you quickly and want to find out everything you know, which doesn’t take long when dealing with me. I met so many wonderful new friends and look forward to developing relationships by internet and over the next few years in person. Miro took me out for a latte during one of Lukas' sessions and we seemed to really connect. I believe we will be friends and the Kingdom will be stronger because of it. Lukas has done something truly remarkable in pulling these training sessions together. The more I know him, the more impressed I am with him.

It still amazes me that God would give us the opportunity to do life together with these leaders. I truly am expecting great reports, not because of the great wisdom we shared today, but because we obeyed God in this divine appointment. He will change this city through these folks and I am honored to know them. I hope to be called their friend. I am reminded of the day Sheryll and I sought the friendship of Billy Hornsby. Our life and our church is richer because of it. I hope these connections with these leaders will prove half as fruitful.