Crazy Bones Originally uploaded by themoltron.

Ahoj and Greetings from Slovakia,

Thank you everyone for your prayer and other support.
I can only be doing this because of you.

My time here as been very full and very fast. A lot of exciting things have happened. I feel like I am just starting to get to know the students. Each student has a unique personality and brings something special to the classroom. In many of the classes I teach the level of English they know is varied. I have to be constantly aware so that I can make sure I am addressing all of the students’ needs and prepare them for the years ahead.
I have also learned a lot about my faith, church here in Bratislava and the Slovak Church.

Near the end of the year, the 5th year students take exams called Maturita. These exams are subject specific and cover everything they have learned over their 5 years of study. These comprehensive exams consist of a written part and an oral part. I teach a few 5th year students and they definitely get nervous around this time of year. Taking these Exams is a huge deal. They weeks studying and on test day they where suits, ties and dresses. There is quite the pomp and circumstance. Many of these tests will determine if they will attend university or not. We try to study and prep them as much as possible, but it is up them. It has made me more aware of the challenges and skills I need to teach to my younger students. It is definitely something I will take with for next year.

The written portion is standardized by the Slovak Ministry of Education. The Oral part is conducted by their teachers and a representative from another school. I participated in the grading process for the oral examination of English Language. They are supposed to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to communicate based on a topic that is selected on the day of examination and they are given 20 minutes to prepare notes. The students I taught did very well.

Another thing I have been enjoying is the summer weather has it gets close to summer. It is nice to see be able to sit and chill in an outdoor café. I have enjoyed going to see some of the other American teachers play baseball in a Slovak recreational league. They aren’t pro-player by any means but, I have seen some nice double plays. Since it is the end of the year the students have been hosting several events to celebrate the end of the and the 5th students who get to leave school 3 weeks earlier because they have completed their exams. The only downside to all this nice weather is the students don’t want to be wasting their time in class. I try my best to make my lessons exciting but, there is only so much I can do.

I only have several more weeks of school. I feel like I just got here and now I’m leaving. I feel like I just have gotten to know my students and started to enjoy teaching. I am looking forward to a new experience next year as I move to a smaller town called Tisovec to teach.

Next year will be quite different for everyone because Pastor David Schick and his wife Karla, will be leaving after 6 faithful years serving the Bratislava community. I haven’t been in Bratislava long but, they are definitely a light of Christ that will be missed. They have done a lot to reach out to the English speaking community to give them a place to worship and experience faith. They have made connections with the Slovak church, learning, teaching, sharing how different cultures experience God. They have truly been a blessing and we hope dearly that God will bring a new pastor just as amazing.

One of the things I struggle with here is how faith is viewed by some in the Slovak Lutheran Church. They tend to emphasis Doctrine quite a lot. They tend not to be very Evangelical despite being known as Evanjelicky in name. They have a hard time expressing their faith in the world. But, don’t we as well? When taking a deeper look, this is a universal church thing. We all struggle trying to live a life of faith. The Slovak church had to deal with the repression of religion under communism and is reluctant to be more active in sharing its faith because of this. My job here is not to just to teach English but it is to live and show a life that expresses my faith daily. To my students, to other teachers and to the Slovaks. This should be the goal of all Christians. I struggle sometimes just as the church struggles. But that doesn’t stop me from trying. Part is engaging in dialogue. The English speaking congregation gets many visitors from students at the Slovak Seminary. It is exciting to talk to discuss things of faith and how we can learn from each other to express it. The next generation of Pastors are excited about their faith and enjoy seeing what others are doing to express our faith. I am excited to see how they will lead the Slovak Church in the future.

One of the other things I have been participating in is a Bible study based on “The Reason for God” by Timothy Keller. We have had a lot of insight into what faith is, where it comes from, What atheist think about God. We always get a variety of perspective as we have people from Africa, Asia, Europe. Everyone has brought something unique to the table. These discussion have really strengthened my faith.
I recommend taking a gander at this book, it will definitely challenge how to look at God.

As the school year starts to end I must begin thinking about my summer plans and next year. Starting in July I will be working at Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp as a counselor and/or various other tasks working with Children doing outdoor and faith building activities. I had worked there about 2 years ago I enjoyed it emensely. In Mid-August I will be returning to Slovakia to teach again. They cost of travel and finding quality English teaching resources can be expensive. I am hoping to raise around $1200 to help with airfare and teaching resources. That’s 100 people who give $12 each. It is very do-able. If you are inclined to help you can in 1 of 2 ways.

You can send me money via Paypal

or you can send a check to
Mark Molter
17 Dacey Lane
Stafford, Va 22556

Every little bit helps. I want to thank all of you for your prayer support and that you continue to pray for me in the following ways.
- Patience and Perseverance in my teaching.
- My Summer as I work at Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp
- Bratislava International Church as it searches for a new pastor this upcoming year and goes through transition.
- The People of Bratislava- that Christ may be known.
- That I would be successful in raising funds to help me with Travel Expenses to Slovakia and English teaching materials.

God’s Blessings and Peace be with you,
✛ Christ’s Servant in Slovakia

Mark Molter

Here are 2 songs I wrote as I was sorting through my feelings for a girl who just wasn’t really interested in me.

“Just because  you wish for a thing doesn’t make it so.”
Captain Picard

Unrequited

Tell Me Straight Up

War cemetery in Prešov, Slovakia Originally uploaded by Martin Baran.

I found out my grandmother has passed away. I was unable to attend the funeral because I’m in Slovakia. My mother was very lucky to have spent the last few days with my grandmother alive. My grandmother was rather happy despite dealing with the pneumonia and have eating problems. She died peacefully. My mother said the funeral was nice. She gave the Eulogy. Please pray for me and my family in this tough time.

Rest in Peace
BETTY LURENE VAN RENSALIER
Aug. 25, 1926-April 20, 2009

Death is a funny thing, we hear about so often we become numb to it. It seems to hit the heart when it is someone you know. I knew it was coming, but somehow I didn’t expect it so soon. I’m still try to figure out what to actually feel. As I sort through my feelings I am reminded of one of my biggest fears: Not death itself but, Dying and nobody caring. Sometimes it scares me to think about it. I have to remind myself that I have friends and family who will mourn, be sad, care and remember me with fondness. And most important ,that I have a God who has gone through death and cares for me when my moment comes. Every now and then I’ll read the news and my heart will beat just a little off rhythm and feel heavier in someway when I hear about people that have died that day. I think in some small way that feeling is God’s way of sharing his pain and concern for all those who die, with us. No one dies alone or unmourned because we have a God who is there and cares deeply.

My Friends Jon and Dan Live at Kafe Scherz!

These guys are pretty cool…This was at a school poetry contest exhibition.
This is an awesome parody of Apologize by One Republic.

So here are some helpful thing to know…
They Grade by numbers in Slovakia 1=A   5=F
Ano and Hej= Yes    Prepačte=I’m sorry
uvidime= we’ll see

Old street - Bratislava, Slovakia Originally uploaded by © Maciej Dakowicz.

Ahoj and Greetings from Slovakia.

Who would have thought I’d be back in Slovakia again. Last year around this time, I remember thinking “It’s nice here but, maybe not another year”. Well, so now here I am teaching English.

It is amazing how God changes your expectations for life. I am continually amazed at how he provides things for me and leads me. One of the things I said around august of last year was “I’m not quite sure I’m done with Slovakia” I had this feeling God still had more for me to do. I considered coming back to teach the following august. Shortly after thanksgiving I received an email about the need for some replacement teachers in Slovakia. My first reaction was one of surprise and then disbelief. Needless to say I was thrilled at the possibility. After about of a month of anxious waiting and searching for other possible work if it all didn’t work out. I said yes and here I am back in Slovakia.

I am teaching English at 2 different schools. Both are in a newer more modern part of Bratislava called Peteržalka. One school is a bilingual german school Spojena Martinia Lutheran Škola where I am teaching English to a wide age range of skills and age levels and the other school is the Bratislava Lyceum which is a bilingual English school. There I teach something similar to a highschool freshman english class in the states. Both schools present their challenges but, I definitely feel like I am needed. This is my first time teaching and I am enjoying it. It is quite tiring sometimes and I’m always trying to figure out how to do things. My students always surprise me so, I have to be on my toes. There are some days I think “am I doing this right?” and other days I am more confident. I am lucky to be in an enviroment with other teachers who are supportive and helping me learn the ropes.

I am discovering everyday just how amazing and confusing the english language is. The students have many questions that require me to take extra time relearning grammar and then explain it in a way they can understand. I am constantly saying to myself “I should have paid more attention in High School”. Despite these challenges I enjoy engaging the students. I often spend time trying to explain certain words or phrases that are sometimes lost in Translation. Here is a rather funny example. Have you ever heard the phrase…”All my t’s are crossed and my i’s are dotted.” Well in Slovak cursive, they don’t cross their t’s or dot their i’s. So trying to explain this phrase took some work, about as much trying reading their papers sometimes.

The economy is a big topic among the staff here at the school and students. It is stated very often that the average Slovak teacher salary is rather low. I am living fairly modest and I am lucky that my housing accomodations are taken care of, for me. Some of the other native slovak teachers aren’t so lucky. Slovakia has been weathering the economic situation rather well but, there are still many people losing work and investing has slowed alittle. Please continue to pray for all people effected by this economic climate.

Besides teaching English I have become involved with the Local English speaking congregation. Bratislava is a very international city with people from all around the world. It is not surprising to see Asians, Africans, Europeans and Americans. I have come to realize that my mission here is not just teaching English but reaching out to others in the English speaking community. Pastor David Schick, the pastor often describes the role of this church as a beacon and sending place for people along God’s journey. Many come just to be around english speaking people and end up encountering God in the process. I have had opportunities to speak with and get to know many of the Americans who are working here. Going to church can be put to the wayside and forgotten about. I have been able to share alittle of my faith and to invite them to be in God’s presence. I am truly blessed to see and be witness to such a wide variety of people.

I would also like to mention that I have decided to stay and teach another year here. I have been enjoying my time and I believe that God has called me here. So I’m staying put until God says otherwise. He hasn’t failed me yet. I want to thank all of you for your prayer support and that you continue to pray for me in the following ways.
- Patience and Perseverance in my teaching
- Economic stability throughout the world especially in Hungary, Ukraine and Czech Republic.
- Bratislava International Church as it searches for a new pastor this upcoming year.
- The People of Bratislava- that Christ may be known
- That I would find comfort in times of loneliness and sadness
- That I would find cheap tickets for my return ticket to Slovakia in August
- That I would be successful in finding work for the summer

God’s Blessings and Peace be with you,
✛ Christ’s Servant in Slovakia

Mark Molter