|
|
Jennn Herzberg
Rovniankova 4
85105 Bratislava
SLOVAKIA
jennnbread@juno.com
phone: 011.421.908.877.496
|
|
|
As probably most of you have heard by now, on Friday, May 2, 2003, I was asked a very important question; one that has, and will, change the rest of my life! Steve Partlow, my incredible boyfriend (and webmaster of this site) flew to Frankfurt, Germany, surprising me on a bridge with a gorgeous ring and the best question he’s ever asked me: “Will you marry me?” Though still in a state of utter shock, I managed to squeak out the word, “Yes” amidst random strangers watching us and offering their congratulatory, “Woo-hoo!”
At this point we are planning a September or October wedding in 2004…I will complete my second year here before our marriage begins. Thank and praise God with me for such a wonderful man of the Lord He’s given me in Steve!
|
For Easter this year I ventured on my first “alone” trip for four days to Rome, Italy. What an amazing city! My feet were KILLING me at the end of each day, as there was MUCH to see. One of the highlights, though, was seeing Pope John Paul II throughout the weekend. I attended a Good Friday service and the world-famous Easter Sunday service at San Peter’s Square and Basilica, where the Pope led worship. I didn’t really understand anything, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’m thankful I had the opportunity to do!
| 
|
|
This was probably the first birthday I’ve had where it really was “no big deal.” The days of excitement and anticipation for that ‘special day’ were replaced this year by lesson plans and preparations for upcoming events. That’s not to say the day wasn’t special. Throughout the school day, students sang “Happy Birthday” (in English), and even all the teachers (of whom only one speaks any English!) gathered to sing Happy Birthday in both English and Slovak! They presented to me a beautiful bouquet of flowers which, added to the awesome packages and phone calls from America that day, (including a call from my boyfriend at 6:30am my time, 12:30 in the morning NY time!) made for a great birthday. Thank you for remembering me and “celebrating” with me on two continents!
|
|
|
80 students. 3 countries. 10 American volunteers. Put those numbers together and you have a crazy, but fun, weekend called “Sports Weekend”, held in Gyor, Hungary on March 14-16. The idea is to bring together high school students from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary for a weekend of basketball and the Gospel! From Friday night to Sunday morning we sang songs, did skits, had a scavenger hunt around the town, and played LOTS of basketball! Though there were some frustrating moments of last-minute changes and unruly students, the weekend was relatively smooth.
|
The volunteers find this weekend to be extremely rewarding for both the students and for us too. The students have an opportunity to meet other students from neighboring countries, as well as practice their English and hear the Great News of Jesus Christ. For the American volunteers, we have a chance to practice our organizational skills (always fun), build stronger relationships with our students, and build stronger relationships with each other.
Unfortunately, we find that many students are unable to afford the cost of attending Sports Weekend. We keep the cost at a bare minimum, but it’s sometimes still too much for many students who already pay to attend school. But FORTUNATELY, each year there has been generous support from individuals and churches in the U.S. who financially provide for so many of these teenagers to come to this event. If you or your church are interested in helping out in any way (we love to have BULK items sent from America, as BULK doesn’t seem to exist here!), please contact me through e-mail and together we’ll create another awesome weekend next year! Thank you!
|
|
Thanking Jesus for...
- My incredible FIANCE!, Steve, and our relationship that has strengthened, despite our distance for the last 8 months!
- The beautiful spring-time weather, for the continuing support and care by so many Slovak nationals!
Asking Jesus for...
- Endurance to make it through to the end of the school year…for both me & my colleagues AND the students!
- Peace throughout the unstable Middle East region
- All missionaries in areas of conflict, persecution, and medical crises
- Peace, joy, and fun for Steve’s and my wedding process; that we continue to grow with each other in Christ!
|
|
(pronounced: “YAR”)
I first saw this word on my dish soap bottle. I thought, “Hmm, funny name”...until I learned recently that “jar” means SPRING! And spring has certainly arrived here in Central Europe!
|
Well, more like “woman time” I suppose…I’ve recently begun meeting with a small group of women for one hour each week to practice conversational English. They all take work-related courses but said they don’t get opportunities to practice speaking. The women are wonderful ladies who are quite active in the church as well. It’s nice to get to know these fellow sisters in Christ, and I’m excited to see where this could lead in the future!
|
|
...is a question I’ve been asked by students and adults alike. The very first day of the war in Iraq, my students literally cornered me to ask me about it. I was a bit surprised, for their English grammar was great!, but also because of how determined they were to find out my opinions. Unable to get into an in-depth discussion with them, the best I could do to communicate my feelings was, “I think war is bad and I hope it is finished soon.” After a “Bush is the biggest terrorist” comment from another student, we got on our way with our English lesson. Since then I’ve had conversations with others, and have discovered (no surprise) that most people here are firmly against the war and unhappy with America right now. Fortunately though, I’ve never felt in danger in Bratislava. There were at least two protests outside the U.S. Embassy but they were very peaceful demonstrations.
It’s been quite interesting for me to experience this war living somewhere other than the U.S. First, I don’t have a television, so my knowledge about the war is basically all from the BBC on the radio. As you may know, the BBC is based in London and broadcast all over the world, so there are numerous varieties of opinions expressed in its radio programs. While many people have been able to WATCH the bombings and war happenings, I simply hear about them on the radio and wait for my Time magazine to arrive in the mail.
Like all of us, I don’t understand all of the reasons for this war. Whether good or bad, I simply do what I can from my tiny flat in Slovakia, and that is to pray for my leaders, pray for the soldiers and their families, all those who are suffering as a result of this war. May God give the peace that only He can give!
This ‘teaching thing’ is kinda hard. For the past month or so I’ve been in a “slump” of sorts, as far as teaching is concerned. While I feel competent enough to live alone in a foreign culture, most days I certainly DON’T feel competent enough to teach. The circumstances which God has placed before me are nothing I ever expected. The kids are younger than I thought they’d be, their level of English is minimal, and my teaching resources are quite minimal as well. Added to this is my ‘minimal’ teacher training and ‘minimal’ classroom experiences, along with the ‘minimal’ amounts of English spoken (and my less than minimal Slovak)…all adding up to a maximum headache!
But I guess this is all part of the job of being the first LCMS volunteer, and American teacher, at this school. I know there are countless others who have experienced similar positions, as LCMS expands its message of the Gospel to the world. And so, despite my frustrations, tears and even anger sometimes, I take joy in the knowledge that God has placed me here…I take joy in the relationships, though ‘minimal’, established with students and colleagues…I take joy that Jesus promises to be with me always, in every circumstance, and that He’s experienced far greater trials than I, all because He loves me.
|
During our recent Spring Retreat, our Area Director, Rev. Rick Blythe, spread out a big map and pointed out all the opportunities there are to serve in Europe. I was amazed at the number of countries and places desiring partnership with LCMS WorldMissions! Unfortunately, there are never enough volunteers to fill these positions. Have you ever considered serving for a year or two overseas? The present opportunities in Central Europe are to teach English and build relationships with students of all ages in some capacity. Plus, YOU LIVE IN EUROPE! It’s so cool. I encourage you to prayerfully consider serving for a year or two, no matter what age you are! I know it’s a big step, but I can honestly say that it’s completely worth it. If you’re interested in more information, please check out www.lcmsworldmissions.org. “Therefore GO and make disciples of ALL NATIONS...!”
|
Do you have any questions or comments about my work in Slovakia? Please e-mail me at jennnbread@juno.com or send a note to my parents, who will let me know!
Rev. Terry & Susie Herzberg
31-06 Morlot Ave.
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
|
|
|
Thank you for taking the time to hear about what God is doing through me in Central Europe! If you are interested in supporting me financially, please send a tax-deductible gift to:
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH, 22-15 Broadway, FAIR LAWN, NJ 07410. Make checks payable to Our Savior Lutheran Church, with "Slovakia Mission Fund" in the memo line. If you’re interested in encouraging me with letters, etc, please contact my parents at the address to the left, and they will let you know the best ways to encourage my work here!
|
|
|
To be added or removed from this mailing list, send an email to jennnbread@hotmail.com with the word ADD or REMOVE in the subject heading.
|
| |
