Tuesday, July 24

Hello fellow Americans.

Today was our second day at the ole’ Pension Family Hotel in Slovakia. It proved such an amazing day to everyone including myself.  Lucky for us, we got to be rudely awoken by the ever so precious Drew Smutz and his whistle. We then ate some Russian meats for breakfast and then split into our English groups for a bible lesson.  After the lesson, our groups went over the lesson of the day which was colors. The kids got to walk around and write down as many things of one color as they could. It was very cool to see the kids interacting and literally learning and comprehending new things right before us. Our activity of the day was horseback riding, which we were all very excited for. Although rather than galloping through a flower filled meadow in a stampede of horses….all thirty people rode ONE horse in ONE circle. Haha things are a little different here on the other side of the world. After the horses and a crazy game of soccer, (Team USA defeated Team Slovakia) we came back to the hotel for some worship songs and prayer. Brandon talked to me and Dylan for almost an hour about his faith and all the amazing things God has done for us, and we were both so moved by his words. Many other kids were moved by Brandon and all of us as a group in general so we were all so touched. We realized that even though we live on the other side of the earth and our cultures are so different, both us Americans and the Slovakians can be so connected through little things like a game of “futbol” or such huge things such as our living God. The group got to talking during devotions and we all realized how lucky we are to have such loving families and such a gracious congregation.  Once again though, we are all very tired and still manage to feel that jetlag so were off to bed but you’ll hear from us soon.     DOBRE NACHT! (goodnight) I think?   -Maddie (a.k.a. “Mary” over here)