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Marie now has her own webpage! So her time on my page will soon go away. Please bookmark her new page at - https://mariesadventuresblog.wordpress.com/finding-grandpa-in-slovakia-2/ to keep watching her adventures and be sure to take a look at her new post of Finding the Boys in INDIA!
Grandpa‘s Neighbor
Come with me!!
SERVING SLOVAKIA
July 5th – 6th
Two days and counting! Our fearless leaders, Mark and Shelly Johnson, make us color coded tags each year – easier to spot, quicker to pull off of a luggage turnstile, praying that they all arrive when we do!
Without this fantastic couple, none of this would be possible. These two have been organizing, planning, and leading our group to Slovakia for over 15 years! It wouldn’t happen without them! It’s a privilege to serve with them! 💕
July 7th
Friday, our Serving Slovakia Team will be boarding a plane for Amsterdam. We have a very long layover there, assuming flights go as planned and then a short flight to Vienna. We will spend the night near the airport and then Sunday am Center For Christian Education – CCE – will send a bus for us. This 3 hr bus ride will take us out of Austria, across a none assuming, hardly noticeable border into Slovakia. As I have pointed out before, the biggest visual difference from one country to the next is the huge wind generators in Austria and the lack thereof in Slovakia. And soon we will be seeing the large fields, acres and acres of beautiful sunflowers. At that point, I will know I am back in my beloved Slovakia! Class begins the following morning!
Hope you are able to come with me via my daily posts. Please forgive and overlook the typos, spelling, punctuation and grammar mishaps etc. as I scribble each night! A big shout out and thank you to SUZI TERRELL, without whose help these postings would not be! Enjoy the journey! Comments welcome! Thanks for coming along! And please be in prayer for our team and the students we will soon meet!
So far everyone in s accounted for! But we’re only at PDX!
July 8th
Saturday we had a long layover in Amsterdam before our flight to Vienna. We took a ride on the canals and these are some of the shots from the water- beautiful city.
July 9th
We’re here!!!! After a very short night in Vienna our bus was waiting for us to take us to school! Along the way, we passed the beautiful acres and acres of sunflowers. That’s my signal, yes, I am back in my beloved Slovakia!
The school staff was all there to greet us upon our arrival, and lunch was waiting. After pushing suitcases into the dorm, we went over to the high school to get our classrooms ready. The first picture is us waiting to be let in. The second picture is a meeting with everyone before we begin to rearrange classrooms. Let the fun begin tomorrow! It’s sounding like all of our classes will be large! There are two intermediate classes, there’s one teen and adult advanced class and there’s my class of adult beginners. The other classes have 30 to 40 students! I will have four Slovak students at my table. We will have 3 to 4 Ukraine students that are beginners as well. The morning could bring even more with last minute registration. The teachers are all gathering their material.
This year I am in the dorm. There are four of us, my classroom teacher, Brenda, another teacher, Corinne & her friend and helper are upstairs, so we are in the middle of the beehive! And a very short walk to the classrooms. More pictures to follow tomorrow when we’re more awake😴😴😴
July 10th
Monday – First Day, First Week. The much anticipated first day is history, as they say. Biggest surprise are the numbers- classes are overflowing! Lisa’s Advanced class has close to 30, both intermediate classes are 40+ and our Beginner class has 21. The youngest students are 12. Adults populate both the advanced and beginner classes. Of the 21 in our class, 8 are Ukrainian, 3 of which sit at my table with 2 other Slovak women. Julia is a Ukrainian young mom with 2 little girls. “I just want my children to be safe” she shared this am. She has been in Slovakia a year. It has been her dream to learn English, and I told her she is living her dream. Such optimism amidst the tragedy of war.
Also at my table are Lev and Maryna, who have a daughter and extended family and have also been in Slovakia for about a year. They shared that their house was destroyed in Ukraine. They have a family member in the USA, but because that relative could not demonstrate sufficient income to support all, they were denied passage to the USA. Lev works from home as an advertising graphic designer.
Julia is not as fluent as the other Ukraines, but they encourage one another, and the 2 Slovak gals help as well. Tina was in my group last year, so we are fast friends. Zuzana completes our table of 5 students plus one table leader! She and fellow classmate Barborka run a hair salon together in Martin. Zuzana wanted to focus on speaking English not so much writing! But the need for both surfaced in an email she wrote to me. She shared that she and Barborka were practicing English in the saloon. When I helped her to understand the difference between saloon and salon, she experienced an “aha moment “to the value writing as much as speaking! By the end of the week, she was doing both well! English, Zuzana remembered Teacher Brenda saying, is crazy!
Teacher Brenda has encouraged them to make lists of new words, and there is a flurry of paper and pens throughout the afternoon. We started simple with numbers and counting but my table nailed that down quickly. So they turned that around and counted backwards- no problem! From there we went on to asking simple questions.
By afternoon we had covered a lot of ground and brains were foggy and fatigued. And there were a lot of slips of paper covered with words. We will practice those tomorrow! Before class begins, during breaks, lunch and after school there were many reunions with former students and staff. Very sweet!
Pictures below are with a wooden statue of Puss and Boots of nursery rhyme fame. Turns out a nearby pub is named “Tom Cat”. So their mascot is this Puss! Skippy (my Siamese at home who likely has his tail in a knot due to my disappearance) would be amused!
With me are Miloš, my dear friend and sleuth on my genealogy search, his daughter Lenka and family friend Lukas.
Rain showers greeted us as we dined at the Cecka Pup, one of our favorite restaurants near the dorm. Dinner for me was sauerkraut and sausage for under $10. (currently the US dollar equals 9 € Euros. Slovakia is part of the EU, European Union, and uses coins for 1€ and 2€ denominations. If you use cash, there is always a lot of “pocket change “to carry!) Time for bed-jet lag continues to plague us!
Thanks for reading along …
July 10th
The local news show wanted to film some of our classroom activities. The news clip aired that evening – in Slovak of course! See below –
Lisa‘s advanced class students made their own news clip to translate the Slovak news story – they separated into six groups, and each took a 25 second segment and translated it. This was one of the funniest exercises for them because they became the authorities, and it was amazing to see them take on such a role. See below –
The school made its own video of our classes, see below –
Teacher Brenda & students
Lev & Maryna
.July 11th
My students returned eager to learn more. My mother used to say “you hear funny things when you can’t hear”. To that I would add when you don’t understand the language. My students are making lists of new words. “Homesick” didn’t need much explanation to my Ukrainian students. “Homeless” as well. They are so resilient and determined. Teacher Brenda shared a “wordless” picture book with the class. Pancakes for breakfast by Tomie de Palua. She copied the pages and then shuffled the order, creating conversation opportunities for the students as they put the pages in proper sequence. Lev, always thinking, said “homeless, wordless and “headless” for those not so smart”! I said “brainless”. Much laughter!! We do a lot of laughing at my table! After working on numbers and letters, we moved to asking questions and giving short answers. Along the way I learned a few new words myself …
scissors = Ukraine = noschnitcy or something like that.
Vusy = mustache!😂😂
Later this afternoon – Visiting Hedwi in Zilina. She was working at the CCE (before those 3 sweet little girls) and was the one who first posted my story and photos on the school website back in 2015. It was through her help that I found Grandpa’s village, Nedašovce .
Professor Jozef Matula, Marie and teammate Joshua Radel at Pilsner Restaurant in Zilina. Dr. Matula spoke about Byzantine icons earlier to the team.
July 12th
It was quite a lively & intense discussion today between my Ukraine couple and a Slovak student. She suggested that people should just stop fighting and have peace in Ukraine. Lev was very animated and intense and trying to explain why that wasn’t possible and how difficult this was. Today he shared not only has he lost his house and showed me a picture of a destroyed building, he lost his job, and according to him has taken a much lower paying job here. Understandably, he is very intense and passionate in wanting to share what they’ve been through.
Being the head of the table for this group is like having a large family of young kids with a couple of special needs thrown into the mix. I’m having to keep a balance, listen to all of them, help all of them and keep the discussions rolling but not a flame! I look forward to each new day with them, and perhaps some time outside of class with them as well.
When we weren’t talking about world politics, we were talking about vocabulary. I am now a multi-language, expert, or so they tell me, as I can speak 3 languages!! The Ukraine taught me to say “face” OBLEACHCHA, the Slovaks chimed in that face was TVAR, and, that if I added a J at the end of Obleachchaj it was now Czech! So I can speak three languages! Easy Peezy ha ha ha 🤣🤣
This is the bag that I gave to the city of Martin library from Fort Vancouver Regional Library, my former employer, on whose Board I currently serve. I will be giving some of these to my students on Friday. I also asked the Martin librarian to print me an enlarge the map of Ukraine to take to class tomorrow morning. My intention is to have all of the Ukraine students pinpoint where they are from.
Most of the Ukraine students this year were from the eastern side and had witnessed more destruction. Last years UK students were more spread out around the country.
City of Martin Library
Later that afternoon Josh & I visited the City of Martin Library. My friend Josh got his own card. 3€ euro for me originally last year, free to renew. €10 for Josh to get his today! Inflation is here as well!
While there, I donated copies of Skippy John Jones by Judith Schachner, a book about a cat who thinks he’s a Chihuahua, another gift from Fort Vancouver Regional Library. I also donated a copy of my 2016 Grandpa’s Mysteries and 2015 Finding Grandpa picture book and travel journal that I wrote.
After our experience with the City of Martin Library, Josh and I walked a mile to the other side of Martin, to the Slovak National Library. It is set back away from the town, a big, massive building with a large entryway. By then it was late afternoon. Josh and I entered the huge foyer and attempted to speak with the two security guards at the front desk. They were more focused on the clock and closing than they were on us. It didn’t help that they had no English words to use and the 10 Slovak words we knew between us weren’t helpful. We decided a retreat was our best option! I hoped I could come back with my remaining two books to donate on another day.
During my 2022 Slovak trip, I visited this library and left a paper copy of my 2019 story, Thus Far on Grandpa’s Trail. I unceremoniously left it at the front desk, and the clerk who accepted it seemed a little puzzled, but again, no English! It was weeks later that I received an email written in Slovak. Using Google translate I learned it was a request for information about me, my Slovak contributions, books authored, education, and basic background information. It didn’t seem to apply to me, so I set the form aside, and it disappeared into in a pile of “Slovak genealogy papers”, not to see the light of day again until it reappeared in June 2023 as I prepped for my next Slovak adventure. I decide to fill it out and bring it with me. As it turns out, that was a good idea.
Back to my 2023 trip and my second visit, the following week to the NSL, this time the front desk security people pointed towards an open staircase that led to the second level. Ascending it I arrived at another desk and was able to pantomime that I wanted to give my two books to them. I included the biographical form with my two gift books, and that seem to open a door, perhaps it communicated my seriousness! At any rate, I gave it back to them with my books, Finding Grandpa and Grandpa’s Mysteries. Feeling pleased with the progress, I made a request. I was interested in researching the Oponice village area, home of my great great grandfather, Jacob Divis. (1813-1899). It was somewhat of a random request, as I have traced Jacob’s family to this area, but no further. He had 4 wives and 11 children, so there must be traces of his family somewhere nearby! I wasn’t expecting much in the way of an answer to my request and was delighted when they handed me a small paperback book – The Apponyi Library in Oponice. And it was in ENGLISH! What I was not aware of is how significant the Oponice Library is and why there would be a book at the Slovak National Library about it. This little volume tells of the Apponyi dynasty and their acquisition of land – and a castle – in Oponice in the 13th century and in time became a significant name in Hugarian/Slovak history. (One historian claimed that “Apponyi” was Hungarian for Oponice, as the area was already known.) While serving as diplomats to Vienna, Austria and other European Embassies through the 18th century, family members became collectors of European cultural heritage, acquiring books, artifacts, prints, manuscripts, memoirs, paintings and music. The book given to me traces the details of the individual Apponyi family members, their political careers and lives. It examines years of Apponyi/Slovak history. As time passed, (and to make a long history short!) the estate buildings went thru various degrees of decline and neglect. Efforts were made to preserve the collection by moving it to other locations, Bratislava and then Martin. In 2011 the original library building was restored, and the volumes were moved by the NSL staff, back to Oponice. The Apponyi library continues to be administered by the NSL. Currently the library contains 7,500 book signatures, 8,222 titles and 15,042 volumes. It is a popular site; international visitors frequent it and someday I hope too as well. Sadly, the library was closed when I was in Oponice! In all of my genealogy searching, I can find the Divis family employed by the Apponyi family, but I see no co-mingling of our peasant blood with the royals! www.chateauappony.sk
The two clerks continued to pile pamphlets and booklets on the desk for me to take. Most appeared to be annual publications from the NSL called the Golden Thread, featuring current displays, artwork and authors. The clerks spoke a little bit of English, enough to communicate roughly. By now, I had an arm full of pamphlets and papers, and was feeling emboldened to inquire if someone who spoke English, might give me a tour of the building.
Mgr Adam Čuchor greeted me and we went from room to room in this impressive building. This is the biggest library run by the state in the entire country. By the picture you can see they have several cabinets of wooden drawers for card catalogs! But don’t be fooled, the NSL is not behind the times with archaic old-fashioned methods. As mentioned in the 2022 edition of the Golden Thread, one of the NSL’s most significant achievements of recent years is free public online access to a vast number of the digitized works in the public domain and out of commerce works through its Digital Library and Digital Archive (DIKDA) project. Through a modernized digital library catalog, users have access to the contents of books, newspapers, magazines, posters, postcards, sheet music, songs, lyrics, and manuscripts created or published in the period from the 15th century to the first decades of the 20th century. No library card necessary!
As our tour continued Adam kept apologizing for his English and I told him about our English as a Foreign Language classes. He gave me his email address for more information. (Perhaps someday I’ll see him there, as Janka, CCE administration assistant, sent him the registration information the next day). It was time to close. With a “Dovidenia” and “Dakujem” I left the building, feeling I had accomplished much!
Days later, the following message came via email from the NSL, acknowledging my bio sheet and thanking me for returning it.
Dear Mrs. Diviš Coffey, thank you for filling out the biographical questionnaire, which will be stored in the documentation of the National Biographical Institute”. Sincerely, Mgr Zdenko Duriška, director of the Dept of Management and Research of Original Sources, NSL.
Wow!
It wasn’t until I returned home that I received the second email below with the link that my books have been entered into the collection. Amazing! I now have two books in the Slovak National Library! I should send the online photo company, SNAPFISH, a bill for international marketing! Note to self, the next book I make, I should upgrade the quality! Perhaps my books will be digitized!!
July 13th
Our morning started at about 3 am – with thunder that sounded like cannons firing in the playground around the dorm. It was quite the thunderstorm and woke us all up. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get back to sleep, so eventually got up to walk the town. 5 am foot traffic is light, mostly people biking to work. Light auto traffic. I walked for an hour trying to give my roommates quiet to sleep.
We had our class photo taken! My dear Ukrainian friend Lev was missing, so I’ve requested a re-do. Our teacher Brenda is seated left of me – 3 table leaders to her left & Susan to my right. We all agree, this is a very special class.
After sharing family photos at our table – we went on to working with contractions. By late morning my lack of sleep from previous nights was catching up with me and I decided to forgo lunch for a short nap back at the dorm. “Short” is a relative term- I woke with a start realizing I was now half an hour late! Sheepishly I entered the classroom as quietly as possible. My table was busy doing their work and carrying on without me. Fortunately, one of our adjectives just yesterday was “embarrassed “, so they understood my apology!
Marcela Machova brought in chocolate cake to share with the class this morning. What a very nice surprise and of course we gobbled it up! I asked her for the recipe and the next day she brought in a handwritten copy. She and I talked about what conversions Americans needed to make with the ingredients. It was a good sharing opportunity and I’m anxious to try the recipe at home!
July 14th
Friday, the final day of class for this week. Unbelievably we are halfway through – this week has just flown by. We had work to do this am, prepositions and directions. I think my students can now give directions better than many Americans! We also worked on writing the alphabet. Each student had to listen to words spelled out loud and record what they heard. Not as easy as just reciting the alphabet. They have come a long way since Monday and did pretty good. Better than any compliment, Julia said she was no longer nervous to come to class and practice English. 😊😊🌺
Teacher Brenda excused us early for lunch and each table leader did something special with their group – wait for it … and be truly surprised … we went out for ice cream! Students picked their favorite shop – we enjoyed each other’s company and some ice cream! We scattered afterwards, gathered for a few minutes for coffee and then headed back to class.
All day it was a party atmosphere. Students brought sweets and pastries, candy and fruit. So by mid-morning we were snacking…and tasting some homemade brews. Besides a few alcohol types, they also brought a cola product called Kofala. Slovaks are serious partiers! And of course, gifts for the Americans – REAL lavender sprigs, & jars of honey.
The final assignment was to create a thank you card for someone in the class. We drew names and the creative juices began! Lev, always a trailblazer, pulled up a YouTube tutorial – he folded construction paper to fashion 3 tulips for Brenda! What a Romantic! We exchanged cards and hugs.
Next came our closing ceremony. Table leader Gregg, with the help of his phone, played music from the classic graduation tune “pomp and circumstance”. Students proceeded to walk along the line of teachers receiving a class picture and certificate along with hugs and handshakes.
There were many hard good-byes as we all exchanged email and contact info – and discussed how to stay in touch. Class dismissed.
July 14th end of week evening celebration
Dinner! Twenty pounds of chicken, ten pounds of peppers, eight pounds of mushrooms, ten pounds of onions, several cupfuls of paprika, six cups of cream, thirty-five pounds of gnocchi, a hot fire, a cauldron, a big stick and a willing American = Bohdan’s Special Chicken Paprikash for 100 coming right up!
After goulash Bohdan & Adrian sing with the band.
And with that, the first week of class was finished.
July 15th – Saturdays Adventure
Team field trip to the Royal Spis Castle
The Royal Spiš Castle, it’s history and the Views!!!
Spectacular view!
Drone clip shared by Peter Gray from his drone.
July 16th
This is the symbol of Martin Slovakia to our team. It is our chapel, hundreds of years old, a Lutheran Church whose steeple graces our skyline and blesses us each time we look at it.
Taking a peek into the church before the service, I heard a violin and piano duet playing “I sing the mighty power of God” practicing. During the service the Americans sang in English and the Slovak sang in Slovak. There is a massive pipe organ upstairs that accompanies all of the Slovak hymns. Of course, the sermon is in Slovak, we are provided with translations through headsets. The congregation gathers afterwards outside in the cobblestone courtyard surrounding the church, the school and the dorms. We miss hearing the church steeple bells throughout our day here. They are being repaired.
What do you do when your church bells don’t work properly?? You call in the church bell repair service, of course. We have missed hearing its hourly chimes. It turns out the bell needs a repair and won’t be working until August. Ironically, Bohdan the CCE director is also an author, and has written a Biblical commentary, on the book of Isaiah no less! He has a touching dedication of the work to his father, Jan B Hrobon. Message of Isaiah 1-27 Then and Now. He graciously gave copies to our team last year. On page 80 he illustrates his point about Isaiah 12:6 to shout aloud and make known God’s good deeds. Bohdan says:
“Church Bells come to mind, as they have been fulfilling this role for many centuries, filling the earth with their sounds, inviting the nations to praise God.” Amen!
After the church service we gathered for lunch and then had a free afternoon. The weather today is high 80s with some humidity. So mostly we retreated to as cool a place as could be found!
Matt arrived this evening. He flew into Vienna and rented a car so had a 3-hour drive on top of the jet leg. After dinner, and a brief bit of music in the town Square, he turned in early to fight the Jetlag monster!
While listening to the music I ran into a former student from last year. Svitlana, a Ukrainian, who’s little one came to class with her. It was good to see her. She still spoke little English, but we tried our best to plan for another opportunity to see one another again. I hope we can.
A new group tomorrow- sounds like 18 instead of 21 this time. Stay tuned!
July 17th
July 18th – After class we went to visit the chapel where our leader Bohdan’s family pastored for 3 generations, the Bible he showed us is 400 yrs old. We’ve heard the story before, but never tire of the lessons learned during the communist regime. Below is the bell tower and the parsonage.
Also – Today was my grandson Coopers 15th birthday and I tried unsuccessfully several time to call him. My Ukrainian friends were happy to join the celebration and sing to Cooper…in Russian!! Happy birthday Cooper, hope it was a great day! See below –
The birthday singing, minus the birthday guest, was held in the lunch cafeteria. When we all returned to the classroom Tatiana, one of the vocalists, brought me a sack filled with candy for my grandson“oh, I won’t be seeing him” I told her- she shared a hug and still wanted me to have the candy. Such hearts they have. 😢❤️
July 19th
After a hike to a castle ruin just outside of Martin with Matt and Corinne, we met Lev, wife Maryna and Anna for ice cream in the mall. It was an enjoyable time with them.
Anna is a Ukrainian refugee at my table, new this week. Her English is really too good for our class, but I challenge her with tougher assignments asking her to use a past tense verb or a future tense in addition to a simple statement. The harder questions do not stump her. The class was encouraged to share about someone they knew and what they are like … she did a super job of telling about Lev, fellow refugee who lives in the refugee dormitories on the other side of town. Lev helped Anna’s grandmother, 83 yrs old and wheelchair bound. She’s a little hard to understand in the video but it shows her sweet nature as well as that of Lev’s. Anna lives alone with her paternal grandparent.
Anna’s Story – below
July 20th
It is Thursday afternoon and class is over. One more day – it goes so quickly! It takes a few days into the week, but we have bonded to this class as well.
I am having a lot of God appointments this afternoon. It’s not at all what I expected. Matt, who joined us Saturday night and hiked with Corinne and I yesterday woke up sick. Stomach issues. He didn’t get to go on the hike he had planned, but he did make his cameo appearance in Brenda‘s class. Unfortunately, he went back to his room still not feeling well. Ever the mom, I decided to stay back in Martin while the rest of the group took the bus to a special chapel service in a very old old church, and then onto the staff’s neighborhood for the traditional goulash dinner. After canvassing the dorm for drug deals, I gathered my scores and took a bag to Matt in hopes that something that someone had brought for traveling illnesses might help him.
Next, I thought I would grab an umbrella as it looks like rain from the dorm room and then walk up the mall to the shops to find something resembling Gingerale for Matt and maybe grab me a burger. As I passed the courtyard by the church, I passed the parsonage and noticed the family in their backyard. enjoying time with the children, with their large yellow lab mix. One of my Ukraine students had been admiring that dog, and so I stopped and inquired of the family if I might bring her back to enjoy the dog. The Ukraine’s have all been through so much, it seems like a small thing to do to bring a smile to her face. The family was more than happy to have her meet the dog, inviting me to come into the backyard rather they were there or not. I texted Anna and we will work on how to do it tomorrow.
Next on my list was tracking down the Ukraine refuge center to inquire how to donate or do something to help them. But I couldn’t find it! I walked down every little alleyway off of the mall where I remembered it being last year to no avail. I’ve long since learned not to be shy, to ask, ask, ask and so I asked two young ladies that were standing by a car in the last place I looked. One of them happen to speak English, but she did not know where the Ukraine center was. As I started to walk away, a police car drove up and I thought surely, they would know. Well, as the saying goes, stop calling me Shirley and they did not speak English! So I’m frantically trying to Google it, when the English-speaking young lady came up and said she would help me. But first she had to settle with the police. She had parked in an illegal place, and they were waiting for payment. Part of me wanted to say – well how about some grace for this young lady as she’s about to help me – but I had no Slovak words to do that. And I surely didn’t want to make it worse for her!
I waited while she paid them, as she had invited me to ride with her to the Ukraine center. She handed over some cash & we hoped in her car – after the police unlocked a tire brace looking contraption that prevented her from driving away. We drove just a few minutes and quickly came to the Ukraine center on the other side of the mall where I would never have found it, which was closed! She was happy to take me back to the church as that’s where she was passing, and we exchanged a few words about only Jesus can give you a heart for this kind of kindness. I gave her the address of my journal and encouraged her to read it, as she would be in the story about my encounter with yet another kindhearted Slovak!
So I made another trip to the grocery store, bought some juice and soup broth for Matt, dropped it off by his door and came back to the dorm to begin packing. Tomorrow afternoon will be crazy busy so I thought I would take a vantage of the opportunity to fill the suitcases. I have to figure out how to fit a dog visit in and a visit to Anna’s grandmother tomorrow.
Two of our former students came in this morning, wanting to have a reunion & us to celebrate with them, and share their bottle of champagne that they brought! Božena came with her niece Martina who was expecting her first child. We politely sipped a minimum amount and called it good!!
Maybe I could live over here! I finally found some kombucha!
July 21st
Oh my – this day was 48 hours long!
Matt is doing better. Me on the other hand, woke up with a migraine, so I missed the first couple hours of class. I really just pushed myself to get up and get going. I didn’t want to miss the day. I arrived in class just in time for the class to take its walk about. We walked and we talked, and we enjoyed each other’s company and we got to know one another.
Dean stepped in to take my place and I was in time to join the group for the walk. Anna, my Ukraine gal wanted to stop and buy a ball for the dog who lives by our dorms. The group walked further and stopped at a little shop, and each had something hot to drink. I wasn’t firing at 90% yet but I would get there! Dean and I inquired of the Ukraines about the visa passport requirements for them to travel. Very difficult, as if the government didn’t want them leaving. Made little sense to me considering our current immigration issues. We just listened to them share, sympathizing. From there we went to lunch, and I had a bowl of soup.
Back in the classroom, we exchange names and create thank you cards for the name we pick. My name was drawn by one of the Ukrainian women, Iyrena. She works so hard. She speaks such little English. If I have a student close by, I will ask them to tell her how I admire her courage and her hard work.
,,,
This is Iryna Kovalchuk. This sweet Ukrainian lady spoke almost no English. She struggled so in class but always had that smile on her face. I would give her a hug and squeeze her hand and ask another Ukrainian to tell her how courageous I thought she was. I was told by her table leader, Gregg, that she was a professional engineer in Ukraine. Our impression was she hadn’t been here in Martin long, and possibly was still dealing with the trauma of leaving her beloved country.
Our students are always curious about our lives in the USA. Brenda builds in a time for each table leader to share a brief autobiography with the class each week.
We show them on a map where we live, and for most of us, where we have journeyed from place to place across our country. That’s something that puzzles the Slovaks and the Ukraines -how much Americans move. Their custom is to stay closer to family and traditions. The younger generation not so much now, as they venture out into Europe and beyond to go to school and live.
When it was my turn to share, I stepped out into the hall first, to put on my size large Slovak embroidered shirt. I put it on over my clothes and walked into the classroom. I told my students about Grandpa, Stefan Diviš, who left Slovakia in 1910, and came alone to the USA. Grandpa bought a farm in Michigan and that is where my father was born, the eldest of 12 children. My father learned to speak Slovak before he learned to speak English, just like my students and oh, I wish he had taught me to speak Slovak! I share with them how much I love their country; Grandpa’s country and I love getting to know them, and that’s what keeps me coming back year after year, this is trip #8. These last two years, my round-trip ticket has become a “twofer.” It is an idiom that Brenda will explain to them. I am getting two countries for the price of one ticket because now the Ukraines have become part of my story here, and in my heart as well💜
The ladies of the Lutheran church parish bring their needle work to the cafeteria while we eat breakfast each year, giving us an opportunity to purchase their handmade items. The money goes to the church for various projects. Each year I’ve had my eye on a traditional blouse, but never had the opportunity to buy one. Last year I asked Natalia Kacianova, school chaplain, if she would talk to those ladies and save one for me! When we first arrived at school, she couldn’t wait to tell me that yes, indeed, there was a shirt for me! And here it is!
That left just a few minutes of our class time for a quick game and then the really hard part comes at 2:30 when we start saying goodbye: cue hugs and tears. Oh I forgot to mention we pass out certificates and we make a big deal of it. One of the table leaders, Gregg, brought pomp and circumstance music. We hand them a certificate and they go down the line of leaders with hugs and kisses and tears!
The couple that I have been working with for two weeks now, Lev and Maryna, called me over and present to me a painting that Lev’s mother has created.
Notice the blue and yellow ribbons. this heart came home with me!
Oh dear, more tears more tears! A lot of gifts exchanged, a lot of candy, that’s what the Slovaks do. The teachers need to put the room back in order and then we need to pack up and leave the room clean. Anna and I have decided to walk to the Ukrainian service center and so she waited as I returned my belongings and gifts to my room. She and I walked to the Ukrainian center that I knew was there but couldn’t find yesterday! Not the one Alexandria drove me to. Anna needed to ask permission of the Social worker if she could bring me back to her dormitory. Who should be there at the center other than Iyena, Tatiana and two other students that have been in our class. More hugs, more tears, more promises to stay connected.
After we took pictures Anna and I walked another 20 minutes back across the railroad tracks on the west side of Martin to a very dingy gray rundown apartment building probably four or more stories. I asked Anna if I could write in this blog about the conditions of the residence. She asked me not to, so if you’d like to hear those stories, please talk to me individually. She was afraid of repercussions from the Slovak government if there were negative things posted. I will leave it at that. I did see Lev and Maryna and I did meet Anna’s grandmother who likes to read romance novels and work cross puzzles in Ukrainian – but she cheats Anna says! Who cares I said!
Next, I met Lev’s mother who is the artist who painted my gift. She had several sketches and insisted I take one. A Siamese cat reminded me of Skippy, so it’s coming home with me.
Anna shows me around. It’s hard. These people hang in limbo, hoping someday to go back to their beloved country.
I brought a map of Ukrainia to class, as I did last year, and they sign their names in the area they are from. Out of 18 students 8 are from Ukraine and most of them are from the east side, where Russian troops occupy. Most have been here about a year. How did Anna get her wheelchair bound grandma here? I don’t know. Anna finishes showing me around and we walk back to the school. We discuss God who is “good” in all of this and how to have faith in Him. Just the beginning of delving into that conversation. We arrive at the school, and we share yet another goodbye. As my classmate, Colleen said, so many opportunities to love, and so much love needed.
Shortly thereafter, we gather at the entrance of the high school and the newest members of our team add their names on wooden leaves to the tree painted on the wall in the entrance of the high school. It’s a tradition we do every year. Then there is a big dinner with music and dancing more hug, more tears, more goodbyes. Lev has come to join us, Marina is on a train to Ukraine, where she must get some medical issues attended to there. She will be back after another five hour plus train ride back to Martin, Slovakia. We part with one more opportunity to say goodbye, Saturday morning, he promises. And then it’s back to our rooms to zip up suitcases – the team leaves in the morning and as does mine. Matt, Corrine & me.
July 22nd
Leaving CCE and the wave. Suitcase fandango
Two weeks sounds like forever – and suddenly it’s over. It’s time to zip suitcases and get ready to go home. How is it they feel heavier than when we arrived? Must be all of the souvenirs and Slovak candy, not to mention the gifts from students. Add to that Ukrainian candy, and of course the framed drawing from Lev’s family. My suitcase is full!
Good thing that we weigh our suitcases before going to the airport, but we don’t have to weigh ourselves! Ha ha ha! We eat a ton of carbs…rice, potatoes and bread with every meal, but we also walk at least a couple miles every day!
Corinne and I must reorganize for our upcoming days on the road. Privedza, Nedašovce, Bratislava, Vienna. What will be needed into smaller bag, what won’t, into larger. Details to think thru of how to make it all fit. Not to mention keep our suitcases out of the growing pile lining up in the church courtyard, destined for the bus to Vienna for the rest of the team. We guard ours until we can get them into Matt’s rental car. There is a last team breakfast in the cafeteria, we join to say goodbye, but wait for a more leisurely meal at Matt’s motel before he checks out.
Finally, all the team boards the bus. A couple dozen gather around…students, school staff. Janka asks me how many Slovak words I’ve learned😳 Lev joins us. We all stand in a line and do the traditional wave, arms up one by one, smile, repeat, until the bus drives away. One last hug and goodbye to Lev, as he shakes a finger – no tears. And the dust settles.
We drive back to the Martin Inn for a leisurely breakfast and then it’s on the road to Miloš. One last look at the city of Martin and then into the farmlands of this beautiful country.
We drove south and west for a while, passing the castle ruins we explored earlier in the week. Pretty soon we take a turn per GPS that takes us thru a small village, and we continue until the dirt road narrows and turns quite rough. In addition to the large rocks and holes it twists downhill. Matt stops to do a “recon” and decides we don’t want to continue this way with a 2-wheel drive rental car, so we back up and turn around retracing our steps. Back to the main road and recalculate! Driving in rural Slovakia is not an exact science!
Eventually we get to Privedza and go in search of our motel. Next is the much-anticipated visit to Miloš. Iveta has soup for us. We talk and share and go for a walk. Pictures are from the top of the hill that looks down on their village.
We plan to meet them for church in the morning and head for our motel room and a meal in Privedza. Matt & I order halusky, of course. (Bryndzove halusky is a hearty dish of small dumplings made from potato dough, mixed with a traditional Slovak sheep cheese (bryndza) and topped with fried bacon. I can’t get enough of it!!) The town is busy with families and locals. Lots of shops and restaurants. We can see Bojnice castle from where we sit outside.
After a walk through this beautiful town back to the car we return to our rooms. A small low budget motel but adequate. There are pictures of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, NYC subway in the lobby and in the rooms, which strikes me as bizarre – the view out the windows is European and colorful. Guess the landlord thinks we want to pretend we aren’t in Slovakia!! But we are and I savor each moment.
July 23rd
We walked from our motel to church in Prievidza joining the Krpelan family at their Lutheran congregation. Miloš told me on an earlier visit that a Lutheran church in the US helped them to construct this building. That explains its modern look. Today oldest daughter Ivana plays the pipe organ. Her high heel shoes are waiting below the steps of the organ platform, tucked in a corner at the back of the church. Last year it was daughter #2 Lydia, who played. She is currently in Germany, studying Lutheran theology, thanks to a scholarship from her church. The service is in Slovak, of course. Daughter #3 Lenka tries to translate the hymns for me using google translate. It doesn’t do the verses justice! After the service we meet the pastor, 30 something, new to the clergy there. We meet some of the members, a few who speak a little English.
After a walk back to our motel to change clothes, Matt drove me to their home. Corinne chose to rest for the afternoon and Matt wanted to get out and explore.
It’s always an English lesson when I visit and today was no different. Google translate was hot to the touch! Miloš used his notebook from our school to jot down more vocabulary. He was promoted to the advanced class this time, so not in my class. His daughters translate for him, so he doesn’t have to “wing it”!
We enjoyed sitting on his newly updated patio talking and sharing, touring their garden.
Iveta joined the party, and I shared an idea Matt suggested earlier on a way to connect tomorrow in Nedašovce. What about a letter, in Slovak, written to the “cemetery lady” that Lydia and I met? Matt, Lydia and I were there last year, almost to the day. We were looking for grave markers for another Diviš family member, having located Josef Diviš, grandpa Stefan’s younger brother, in 2015. As we wandered the cemetery last year, reading large headstones, Lydia approached a local woman who was there. Lydia asked her if she knew of any Diviš graves and much to our surprise, she did! Lydia followed her past several rows til she stopped by 2 unnamed head stones and pointed. According to Lydia‘s translation, the lady said it was one of these two. She also shared with Lydia that she remembered the family. I was so excited. I asked her to write down her name. Mrs. Stefania Krivosudska. She also wrote her house number, #125. Unfortunately, on that day last year, we didn’t have time to question her more, but needed to get back for an appointment with the mayor. That was the last we saw of Mrs K. This year my intention was to find her and continue the conversation. Only this year I didn’t have a translator.
Iveta set to work. She brought her laptop out to the patio and began typing, pausing to ask me questions, with Lenka translating. I was surprised at how much English Iveta was using! In the end, she created three letters, one to Mrs. K, one to the mayor, and one “to whom it may concern “. The letter stated my desire to learn more about the family of Stefan Diviš. Iveta included her own cell phone number, requesting that contact be made.
It sounded like a good plan to me! Minus a translator it was probably as good as we could do! The letter finished; she printed three copies. Then it was time to BBQ chicken. Matt and Corinne joined us for a wonderful dinner on the patio. We made a plan to use FaceTime on a regular basis for us all to practice English And Slovak! Time went too quickly. After the meal we gathered for pictures and of course the family had gifts for all three of us. Goodbyes and hugs, and then back to the motel.
July 24th
Grandpa‘s neighbor
It takes a village to engage a small village in Slovakia…aka scheming with Iveta part 2
After packing up our bags in Priveda, we left the motel with the pictures of Paris & New York City on the walls and the towels that were too small, and the missing microwave and we checked out. Matt concluded that the somewhat basic, low budget motel likely catered to local workers who needed a place to stay. A quick stop at Lidel, chain grocery store throughout Slovakia, for a bouquet of flowers to give to Mrs K. as a good will gesture, a popular Slovak custom. Then we hit the road. Turns out there’s another town with a very similar spelling that our GPS took us to, but I knew the village was too big and was not our destination. Corinne corrected GPS and away we went again. Shortly there it was – the Nedašovce village sign. Arrived. “Butter flies in my stomach” with anticipation for another piece of the Diviš trail. We used that idiom last week in class. One student had replied “Butterfly farm!” We headed to the mayor’s office. Elena wasn’t there. No surprise. Her track record was one connection and 3 misses. Had it not been for last year’s apt with the mayor, which I hurried to, only to be stood up, I wouldn’t be chasing Mrs. K today! I would have interviewed her on the spot in the cemetery where we first met, with Lydia to translate. But we left the cemetery that day to keep our apt with the mayor and a later apt in Oponice.
Stefan Jacob Divis 1886 to 1975
Immigrated to the USA from Slovakia 1910 married Emma Komora, 1917
from 2022 meeting with Mrs. K and Lydia
There is a lesson and a dilemma here. Building in a cushion of time for unexpected encounters and discoveries could yield treasures and enable me to take advantage of unexpected opportunities- eliminating having to retrace steps and make repeated connections as I was doing now. Traveling around the globe is a long way to come. But because of those logistics, time and expenses, I don’t have the luxury of multiple detours. Conclusion – more advanced planning. This year I did contact a professional to help, but I was not able to coordinate with him. He expected to do a lot of the research I had already done. On top of that, he would be traveling from the other side of the country, on my dime! And in the end, he wasn’t available on the dates I needed. Nice try.
So back to our mayor. To her credit, she was most helpful when I first met her in 2015. Last year she was involved in a fender bender when we missed her. Before setting out for this year’s journey, I had sent her two emails in English regarding this date. No response. In years past, she has been on vacation during July. So, I left the letter Iveta had crafted for the mayor on the secretaries desk. A few women were in the office, and I spoke to them, but none spoke English and I couldn’t understand their Slovak! They did have a lot to say! The village post office shares the building with the mayor’s office. I slipped in the door and showed my letter with Mrs K’s name to the clerk. No response from her, just a bewildered look. Another woman came in and I showed her Mrs. K ‘s name on the letter. She motioned us outside, waiving us to follow her car and led us to Mrs. K’s house. A block away – there it was #125, the address Mrs K had written on my notebook one year ago. Our neighborhood helper found Mrs. K in the yard and brought her out and introduced us, in Slovakia, of course. We did a lot of gesturing, Mrs. K very pleasant and smiles. I had considered the possibility that she wouldn’t be welcoming, and perhaps worse! So, so far so good!
I texted Iveta to expect a call. It took a couple of attempts, but we had her on the line. They chatted very briefly, not much seemed to come from the conversation. But hard to tell as it was all in Slovak and only one sided. A villager walked by and had a very brief conversation with Mrs K. It didn’t look productive. Mrs. K showed the letter to her neighbor across the street, he didn’t speak English, but his son took a picture of Iveta’s contact info. All the while she and I kept handing the flowers back and forth. I suspect she thought I wanted to put them on a grave, as she motioned towards the cemetery several times.
Connections, but no progress. Matt had an idea – get her phone number. Brilliant – but how to communicate that to her? More gestures to phone. She motioned me to follow her. We walked up her driveway past a garden, upstairs and went inside. No hesitancy to invite a strange foreigner inside – was it the Diviš name? I looked like a Diviš….? or maybe just like a Slovak? Or at least trustworthy! Maybe she remembered meeting me in the cemetery. As I waited in the entry way, she went past me into her kitchen. The house looked a lot like other Slovak homes, steps and hallways, small kitchen. I glanced into the kitchen where she was attempting to remove something from a small wallet. I walked over and motioned I could take a picture of the id card with her phone number. She smiled; I snapped a photo of it. That felt like progress. She said one thing I understood – her age. She was 83! She appeared in good health and quite sharp. Nedašovce was obviously a good place to live! We walked back to the street, like old friends. I gave her a hug and Matt took a picture. I used Google translate to say I’ll be back with a Slovak friend to help us. She may not be a Diviš, but close enough for today. We said a lot of “Dakujem” (thank you) and “Dovidenia” (goodbye), I left her with the letter and my contact info and drove back to look for the mayor again.
This time the mayor’s office door was closed and locked, I was glad I’d left the letter earlier. As I still had one more copy of the letter, addressed “to whomever it might concern” or some Slovak equivalent I went into the post office again. I handed the clerk the letter. She read it but looked pretty bewildered. As a former USPS window clerk, I have helped people with such requests before, didn’t seem like such an unusual event, especially in such a small village. Boy was I wrong! Granted I’m looking for residents long since dead and gone, but I thought she could point me to someone who was a senior member of the village…like Mrs K. Nope. She did pull out a small notebook with several pages of what looked like names and numbers. She ran her finger up and down the column, turning pages. She made a phone call while she was searching the lists, looking anxiously up and out the front window several times. Who was she expecting … the local authorities, I wondered? How would I explain this to them? A few people stopped in during all of this, but none spoke English, all leaving hurriedly. One middle aged man glanced at my letter and quickly left without so much as a backward glance to me! The clerk hung up the phone and closed the notebook, looking at me like she had no idea what to do with me or the letter. I used my phone to Google a request for Mrs. Ks mailing address. She found a piece of paper and wrote it down for me. Probably as good as it was going to get for now! I googled another message to her. “I am a retired postal worker from USA and appreciate how helpful clerks can be”. A hint of a smile. Hopefully next time I visit my face won’t be on a most wanted poster in her lobby!
And with that, my time in Nedašovce finished, we drove on to Bratislava.
July 24th
Leaving Nedašovce we said good by to the rural countryside and small villages of Slovakia and found our way to the capital city of Bratislava. The locals in Martin had quipped…there’s Brfatislava…and then there’s the rest of Slovakia! It is the only European capital city that shares a border with two other countries – Hungary and Austria. Bratislava and Vienna (Austria) are the closest two capitals in Europe – only 60 km (37 miles) apart. It is famous for its impressive Castle on the hill that overlooks the Danube River. We drove over the bridge, crossing the Danube with the iconic UFO tower high above us.
We had reservations at the motel Matt found last year. Very nice downtown location. And there was that tower….calling to us from our motel room.
After settling in, we decided to walk to the bridge, known as the UFO bridge, because of the peculiar shape of the observation deck. We took an elevator to the top for a spectacular view. Did you know there is a world federation of great towers? Neither did we! There was a display with a dozen or so of tall towers around the world and their heights. The UFO tower is 95 meters high – 104 yards and offers a line-of-sight view of 62 miles. Just in case you’re wanting to join with your great tower, there are four qualifications to be a member. 1, the structure has to be a tower(!!), 2, it has to be a notable, tourism attraction, 3, it needs an observation or viewing deck open to the public, and 4, it must have a unique attribute. Who knew? Just a bit of Slovak trivia!
July 25th
After a good night’s sleep, and a wonderful buffet breakfast, we set out to find the home of Olga Simkovicova, a former English language student of mine. Last year she had made the three-hour train/bus trip from Bratislava to Martin to see me during our English school. This year I wanted to visit her. We had exchanged several emails prior to my trip, planning the day. Corinne, Matt and I had requested that she show us some of her favorite places in Bratislava. When we arrived, first we had to come in for fruit and sweets. After meeting her family and visiting, and exchanging gifts, (I’ve learned this Slovak custom so was prepared with flowers and candy) we were ready to do some sightseeing. In spite of the rain, we walked several blocks to a Slovak war memorial, that she wanted to share with us. One of the things I have come to admire about the Slovaks is they know the history of their people and country. This was a solemn yet significant tribute to that history. And we were touched that she wanted us to see it.
The Slavín monument remembers the lives of the 6,845 Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Bratislava in April 1945, many of whom are buried in six mass and 278 individual graves.
It is the largest war memorial in central Europe .
Čítajte viac: https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22682267/bratislava-slavin-memorial-slavin.html
As we walked back to her house, the rain let up. We walked through a neighborhood, and she pointed out a few houses that were embassy locations. Something akin to embassy row in Washington DC. We returned to her house for lunch. Of course, there was soup, and cucumber salad,
Slovakia staples, and chicken. We were on somewhat of a tight timeline, as Matt had to return the rental car that afternoon, so we took off again to see the castle. Another Bratislava icon that you can see in our pictures from the UFO tower. We walk through the grounds, admiring the beauty and the history. And then it was time to walk back to her house and say goodbye. What a treat to be able to spend time with a precious Slovak friend. We exchanged hugs, and, of course, had to take some of the sweet cakes that she had baked, and we were on our way to Vienna.
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July 26
July 26th
Vienna – an insider tour. Part 1
Our last day in Vienna, our last day on the road. I had previously contacted Angie Hodonsky, sister-in-law of my former neighbor, former UN interpreter, and longtime resident of Vienna. We had a plan to meet her and asked her to show us around some of the places that tourists usually miss. We were off to a rough start, miscommunications about arrival times and places, but when we got it straightened out, she didn’t disappoint!
This was it – our last evening in Vienna for Corinne and me. Matt had flown home earlier that day. We returned to the NH Motel via train from a wonderful jet tour of Vienna with my friend, Angie, daughter in law of my neighbor back in La Center, WA USA. We had successfully negotiated cars, trains and busses. We wrapped up a terrific extended trip from mid Slovakia to Austria. All that was left was the return plane ride in the morning. The NH was conveniently located right across the road from the airport and the train station next to the airport. Why don’t American trains stop at airports? Anyway, I suggested we walk to the KLM ticket counter and ask if we could check our bags in tonight. So we did…and they could! Back to our rooms and the final “suitcase fandango”, a term I’d coined back in the day when Matt came home from college in NY and needed to stuff too much back into a suitcase to return. Only for Corinne and I, this was the easiest packing of the trip. We just needed to get as much into our checked bags as possible…up to 50 pounds. The rest went into our carry~on. We walked back to the KLM ticket counter and left our luggage. We were in bed early, so that we could be back at the airport in the morning, with plenty of time to spare for our flights.
This tree grows in front of the oldest Catholic Church in Vienna. Circa 1400. The tree has grown into the metal fence next to it but continues to sprout leaves and put out suckers. Don’t know how old the tree is, the church is very old! We could see Stained glass windows, but we couldn’t get in.
This is a plaque on the wall, honoring the life of Greble mathematician. Not too far down this road was a statue of Gutenberg. Just behind us was a Jesuit church holding a service.
Our tour was just beginning….
Anje took us around the town on various public transportation modes. At one point we passed the University of Vienna. The building was so beautiful and old and significant that we couldn’t resist. We hopped off the bus to wander anround inside. We had history oozing out of our ears after walking around for several minutes. We followed hallways and open doors and explored and randomly found ourselves in a hall where several publishers and vendors were displaying books on Christianity. Turns out there was a symposium and a class about early Christian history. Fortunately, or unfortunately, my suitcase was already stuffed so I had to make do with just list of titles, not actual books, but they all look tempting! The podium/lecture platform pictured below was in the room with the vendors.
July 27th ~
… the 2nd Annual 48 hour birthday special!!
Morning arrived very early – 4 am. Too early for the great breakfast buffet the NH puts on. A pity! But we weren’t taking any chances with long lines at the airport. Probably because of that, we sailed through check-in and security. And so we were off …Vienna to Amsterdam. We had little time for our connection, Amsterdam to Los Angeles, so we ran from one gate to the other, pausing only at passport control for another stamp in our passport books, and then to our next flight. 10 hours is a long sit! Corrine was several rows behind me, the very last seat of the plane, in fact. We padded back and forth between the rows from time to time, passing the hours. Who can sleep on a plane??
We landed in Los Angeles and needed to shuttle from one side of the airport, go through customs. (Where were you traveling and what did you bring back? Teaching English in Slovakia. Candy! Welcome home … NEXT!) and then shuttle to the other side of the airport. Good thing the layover was 4 hours!
One flight left, Portland and home. And back in Portland, it was STILL July 27 – my birthday! Same thing I had experienced in 2022! Corinne had requested her family meet us with flowers!
And so – Serving Slovakia 2023 comes to an end. It’s bittersweet. Three weeks living out of a suitcase is more than enough. But I miss my beloved Slovakia, land of my Grandfather, already. I miss the people I’ve come to love, left pieces of my heart there. And this year the Ukrainian students left their fingerprints on my heart as well. We will stay in touch, God willing. To Him I must entrust these dear ones.
A trip of this grandeur is a huge undertaking, and I am grateful to so many for helping me to pull together the many moving pieces. I am delighted that my son Matt chose to join me. It means so much to me to have him share this experience. Also, dear friend Corinne. Many friends back at home who tended home chores, animals and plants. One friend even came over to investigate a strange vehicle in my driveway, thanks to a watchful neighbor! Turned out to be another friend checking on my yard. No blood, no foul! Of course, the Slovak friends whose hospitality and cooking made us feel so loved and welcomed. The CCE staff who meet our every need and serve us tirelessly and joyfully. All glory and praise to our Heavenly Father. For we are in His hands. How fitting to end with a song shared very spontaneously last year by students in our class. You may recognize the tune, just not the words! Thanks for coming along!
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| If you would like to support the CCE school efforts and/or contribute to the Ukraine support center, send a check or money order (electronic options are prohibitively expensive) made out to “New Heights Foundation.” In the memo line, write CCE school support or Ukraine Support Center. Mail your check to: New Heights Foundation, 7913 NE 58th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98665, USA. Be sure to include your address to receive a receipt in the mail. New Heights Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, and your donation will be tax deductible. . |
Keeper of the Family 
Wow! I have spent most of this morning reading through your well organized posts, enjoying the great photos, videos, and links. Your trip-reporting just gets better and better through the years, Marie! You are doing such important work, so worthwhile to spend time improving relations between the US, Slovakians, and Ukrainians. I SO enjoy the personal stories and the enthusiasm of your students and friends! Brenda is a GREAT teacher with a host of unique teaching ideas….I learn from her role-model each year. I like the drone’s-eye-view of the Royal Spis Castle, and the fact that such a historic place has been preserved/restored so well. Glad that Matt was able to join you again, dear Marie, along with Corinne! I looked up recipes for Halusky…sounds delicious. Your posts are VERY well written, with references to things like the “most wanted poster.” Haha! I become enthralled, reading your reports. And of course now I’ll look forward to next year’s ! With love, Paula
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Hi Marie,
I carefully read your blog about travels in Slovakia. I am delighted with your courage! I’m glad that you didn’t give up and continued to search for your grandfather’s footsteps. It’s incredible how much you’ve already found out! I almost passed out when I read about your two books, currently registered in the Slovak National Library in Martin – congratulations :)::). (last year I also sent my two books there :D)
I enjoy your students and the super creative tasks you did with them during English lessons. I am also happy that you were able to buy a beautiful shirt (it fits you very well!). I hope your son coped well with his illness and felt well soon. Did he manage to go hiking?
Be blessed and chosen in Christ (part of the Slovak evangelical liturgy). I love you and I miss you!
Yours in Christ,
Hedwi
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