Dear friends,

last week during this time, I started to pack the first suitcase. Right now I am back at Seminary in Bratislava. Wow. Who would say that the three months can pass so quickly – especially when you enjoy it. When I came to the States I was also thinking about how I could spend my summer if I stay in Slovakia or in Serbia. During the whole summer I receive many messages from pastors here in Slovakia that they needed my help during some Sundays. If I’ve went to Serbia I would definitely go for Sundays to church where I stayed during last Easter and couple of weeks during the summer. However, I needed to say to my friends from Lutheran Church in Hajdušica that I will not come there this time. But I “said” yes to my new friends from Whitehall – so I could do the same thing far from my home almost as much as I could done it there. But I need to say that when I found out a few months ago about where I will spend my summer, I admit that it was not easy to accept that. I had to go on a journey to completely unknown area, between people that I don’t know, far from my family. But I believe it was God’s way. The way on which I want to stop for a moment. It has passed some time and we need to go further. First of all I would like to give thanks to God for His help, protection, strength, blessing, for many experiences, for the challenges, but also for the lessons He accompanied me during these months. It was not always easy or beautiful, but when one has a safety, trust and hope in the one who sacrificed our life for us, he will go along Him.

It is hard for us when we’re preparing something, when something starts and when we do not know how will it turn out to be. But it is much harder when something that was pleasant, good, blessed is coming to an end. As this is probably my last blog on this website, it would be good to say something nice at the end. And what could be more nicer and smarter than God’s word. In it a person finds help – even if it is at the beginning or at the end. When Apostle Paul wrote letters to the different places, there were always greetings and wishes at the end of the letters. And I think that’s what’s still left to be said. I’ll use the words from 1 Thessalonians: Beloved, pray for us. Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Apostle Paul always greets his brothers (and sisters) in his letters. He reminds Christians that they belong to each other. Whether they are anywhere in the world, in any place on this earth, they are the family of God, they are the children of God with whom God’s love unites them, one baptism and faith in the Savior Lord Jesus Christ. They belong to each other and should take interest in one another and help each other. Building a partnership – it’s not just a whim, just because it’s something that’s in, because it’s an interesting distraction or fun. Building partnerships among Christians is old. As old as the Christian church.

Building is done through prayers and expressions of love. The partnership will survive only if the Lord blesses it. And we know he blesses those who ask Him. Praying for one another is a way of interconnecting. But that connection must go through heaven. Pray for us and we will pray for you. We need it very much and I know you need it too. We all need Jesus Christ, and prayer unites us with Him. He also leads human hearts to the other thing we need – to love. And love is an action. If the partnership is to survive, we need to do something together. And Jesus will show us what. He will open our eyes so we can see what we can and should do. I believe and I hope that that will be the case now as well.

Now I wish the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with you. After all, that’s what we need the most. Only the grace of the Lord Jesus will give us everything we need. Nothing is more important in life and in death. Let it always stay with you. Thank you that I could be a part of your community, for your admission and hospitality. Thank you Slovak Zion Synod and  Lebanon Lutheran Church in Whitehall for making this happened. I am grateful that it is hard for me to say goodbye. And so I say with hope: may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you until we meet again.