Saturday, June 3, 2017

European spring tour 2017 (4)

Lunch time in the rehab center
From Sered, Slovakia it is about a 7 hours drive to the Teen Challenge men's rehab center in Nova Vas, Slovenia. The time we are spending in the car strengthens us spiritually for all visits. We pray and sing together, listen to preaching (yeah!) and discuss principles from the Bible. And then, time flies :)

We were welcomed warmly in the men's center by both workers, volunteers and the men in the program. There are currently more than 20 men in the house. They are eating in two groups now, because the kitchen is too small.

Andreas is now in the re-entry home and runs the tool shop
The men usually stay for a year or more and then they can move to the new re-entry home. They live there independently while trying to find work, but still quite near the safety of the Teen Challenge center. Slowly but surely they are preparing for reintegration into society.

Andreas is such a man who lives in re-entry. He takes care of the tools and machines. Do you remember how it started with 1 chain saw? Now they have six! We also went to take a look at a large piece of land where the men are keeping goats and pigs for the program.


In front of the new church
After that we visited the new church that was planted by Matjaz & Magdalena Horjak in the nearby city of Koper. It is great to see how the work among addicts and homeless bears fruit. There is no better investment than investing in human lives.

We were treated to a good night's sleep sleep in a bed-n-breakfast with beautiful views of the mountains and the sea. The next day we continued to Rimini, Italy where we participated in the annual Europe Teen Challenge conference.

Every year this is a great opportunity for us to speak to staff and students of the European centers. This way we keep up to date with developments and of course we receive many new applications for project support.

Russian edition for Ukraine
We also had the opportunity to present the Russian edition of Marja's book 'Grace of Giving' to many Russian speaking country representatives.

After returning home, we were able to

'Body guards' at our book table :)
Thank you very much for your generosity.

PS: Upcoming projects include relocation of The Brigde in Tetovo, Macedonia, the expansion of the women's house in Baranovichi, Belarus and the work among Roma Christians in Bulgaria. Keep reading this blog!

Gifts (large and small) for the various projects are always welcome! St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.